Otto Jarstad Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Otto Jarstad Park is a picturesque and peaceful park located in Tacoma, Washington.


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Summary

The park is named after a local businessman and philanthropist, Otto Jarstad, who donated the land to the city in 1979. Visitors to the park can enjoy beautiful views of Mount Rainier, as well as a variety of recreational activities.

One of the main attractions of Otto Jarstad Park is its extensive trail system, which offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The park also features a large playground area for children, as well as picnic tables and barbecue grills for family gatherings. Additionally, the park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and eagles.

Interesting facts about Otto Jarstad Park include its history as a former landfill site, which was converted into a park in the late 1970s. The park's large pond was created as part of the landfill remediation process, and now serves as a popular spot for fishing and birdwatching.

The best time of year to visit Otto Jarstad Park is in the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny, and the park is in full bloom with wildflowers. However, the park is also beautiful in the fall, when the leaves change color, and in the winter, when the snow-capped peaks of Mount Rainier provide a stunning backdrop.

Overall, Otto Jarstad Park is a hidden gem in the state of Washington, offering visitors a peaceful and scenic place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

       

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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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