Titlow Park

Titlow Park is a 75-acre public park located in Tacoma, Washington. Situated along the shores of Puget Sound, the park offers extensive beach frontage with stunning views of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Olympic Mountains. The park's rich history dates back to the early 1900s when it was the site of the Hotel Hesperides, a Swiss Chalet-style resort built by Aaron R. Titlow in 1911.

Today, Titlow Park serves as a popular recreational destination for locals and visitors alike. The park features a diverse range of natural habitats, including wetlands, estuaries, and forested areas, making it an important ecosystem for various plant and animal species, particularly juvenile salmonids in the South Puget Sound.

One of the park's main attractions is its lagoon, which was once a swimming hole for resort guests and is now being restored to its natural state as part of ongoing conservation efforts. The park also includes Hidden Beach, a tranquil waterfront area that reopened to the public in 2017 after restoration work.

Titlow Park offers numerous recreational facilities for visitors of all ages. Families can enjoy the children's playground and sprayground, which replaced the former swimming pool in 2013. Sports enthusiasts can make use of the tennis courts, basketball courts, and open grassy areas for various activities.

The historic Titlow Lodge, a remnant of the original Hotel Hesperides, still stands in the park and serves as a community center. It can be rented for events and gatherings, with space for up to 220 people and features including a dance floor and kitchen facilities.

For nature lovers, the park provides walking trails that wind through its diverse landscapes, offering opportunities for bird watching and enjoying the local flora and fauna. The beach area is popular for activities such as scuba diving, kayaking, and paddleboarding, with a small ramp available for launching watercraft.

Titlow Park is managed by Metro Parks Tacoma and continues to undergo improvements and conservation efforts to enhance its natural beauty and recreational offerings while preserving its historical significance and ecological importance.