Comencment Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Commencement Bay Park is a waterfront park located in Tacoma, Washington.


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Summary

The park provides a scenic view of the bay and the surrounding mountains. There are several good reasons to visit Commencement Bay Park, including its beautiful scenery, hiking trails, and recreational activities.

Some specific points of interest to see at Commencement Bay Park include the Ruston Way Waterfront, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Visitors can also enjoy activities such as fishing, kayaking, and picnicking in the park.

Interesting facts about the area include that Commencement Bay is a natural harbor that was named by Captain George Vancouver during his exploration of the Pacific Northwest in 1792. The park was originally used as a railroad yard and industrial site, but was later transformed into a public park.

The best time of year to visit Commencement Bay Park is during the summer months from June to August when the weather is warm and sunny. However, visitors can also enjoy the park during the spring and fall seasons when the foliage is changing and the weather is mild.

Overall, Commencement Bay Park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone who enjoys beautiful scenery.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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