Trees on Ruston Way - community forum April 19th

Ruston Way Urban Forestry Plan Open House

Join us on April 19 for the 2nd in a series of three meetings with the public to develop the management plan for the trees along the Ruston Way promenade.

In our first meeting we discussed infrastructure issues and the community’s desires relative to the trees lining Ruston Way. During our next meeting we’ll discuss alternative options for long-term management of the trees. At the April 19 meeting, we will present a menu of possible solutions to the different tree issues along Ruston Way. These suggested solutions incorporate the feedback we received from citizens since our last meeting on January 20.

We will present overviews of different areas of Ruston Way, and the issues and possible long-term tree management strategies for each. Citizens will be asked whether the different areas make sense to them, and how they feel about the proposed management objectives for each. No plan has been drafted yet, so we are open to new suggestions, in addition to those we will propose at this meeting.

Citizen comments and suggestions to our proposals will be used to draft the long-term management strategies for the Ruston Way trees. A draft of this plan should be ready for public review and comment by early summer.

Tacoma Community Stewards Network

I have gone to a few of the Tacoma Community Stewards events where Tacoma citizen issues were identified then group leaders volunteered to head each issue to research, set goals, determine who would interested in the issue and how to achieve that goal to make a positive impact in the community.

The issues that were identified were:

- Turn surplus city property into community gardens and parks

- Link disconnected bike trails and walking paths into and through Tacoma

- Transform the Dome District into a vibrant, walkable and livable community


I think that as design professionals we can provide insight to help guide change within our community and this could be a positive group to be involved with.


The next event is next week on Thursday May 28th from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Hub. At this event campaign leaders will present their research and plans and show how you can get involved to make the change you want to see in Tacoma.

I plan on going to hear what these folks have to say and talk with other neighbors that want to be involved in positive change in Tacoma and of course partake in some good food and beverages at the Hub.

- Kelly Myles Braun