Blueberry Park

I had to share that my kids and I went to blueberry park tonight. Instead of picking blueberries we got stuck in the middle of a gang shooting and had to take cover in a nearby home. Unfortunately, my 7 year old son witnessed the whole thing. It is getting so bad over here. The Tacoma Police Department are doing nothing to increase patrol or protection. This is the 3^rd shoot out in 1 year. The Tacoma Police didn’t even respond to our three 911 calls during the shooting last summer. It is sad that we can no longer safely go to our favorite park. I encourage ALL citizens to call our Mayor and start demanding a much larger office patrol on bikes and in vehicles to keep our kids safe. They actively patrol in Proctor District! Why not the Eastside?.

Every summer we bring the kids here to pick all the FREE blueberries they want. We usually start going around late June when they are just beginning to come out. This is one of my favorite things to do as a family in summer. If nobody has had a chance to check it out, they are missing out.

Perfect for an adult nature walk! A small family picnic or walking the pooch! There is not play equipment, however there are fresh blueberries that you can pick while in season!

I LOVE picking blueberries with the kids! However, the street parking is targeted by thieves in this sketchy neighborhood. Our car was one of 4 broken into in a matter of 30 minutes. I want to go back next summer, but only with a car look out.

Bring Buckets, Hats, Sunscreen, Water, and a Snack! Hours of Fun for the Kids! Tons of Blueberry Bushes!
Check before you let the kids within the bushes… you never know what creature, critter, or sharp objects are in the bushes.
I kept a little bag to pick up any trash, because it is Our Park and I try to help keep it clean. (The park is maintained by volunteers).
Do not leave anything valuable in your car (ever in life), but definitely not here. The cars are lined up and down the street, so that can sometimes equal easy picking.
By all means, Have Fun!

Free blueberries, fun experience. We will be back!

Why wouldn’t I give all you can pick free blueberries 5 stars? Because you have to some times watch your back here. I’ve heard of meth-​people coming out of the woods demanding pickers cell phones, and such. It is in a seedier section of Tacoma, so I guess you might expect that in a park there. I’ve also seen piles of blueberries beside the path which makes me wonder if someone wasn’t running from someone… sasquatch or meth-men…who knows.
So, I say, go without your purse, don’t don your phone for all to see, stay in groups, don’t let children run off alone, and pick together. You can really get a motherload of fresh, organic berries, for FREE, if you put in an hour or more. I was there for one hour in late July this year and between my husband and I we got 4 pounds. I think that’s pretty dang good. Also, just because you see green berries on some trees, I encourage you to go deeper to the back, or inside the grove more, they are there… don’t expect them to drip like a cluster of ripe grapes, as it doesn’t work that way with berries. There will be two-​three ripes ones to the cluster. Before you know it, your bucket will be full of anti-​oxidant, cancer fighting goodnes… Enjoy!

This park is owned by the city of Tacoma. A little history about how it became a park, a family once owned this land and donated it to the city. In the families will it required the city to keep the land as it was. This park is maintained by volunteers. Some things to plan for before arriving to this park there are no real restrooms (just a port-​a-​potty), parking is limited, I highly recommend to bring some water for yourself cause it gets hot out in the sun. Respect this park you pack it in you pack it out!!! Bring your own bucket, or bag for some blueberries. If you look at the side end of the park you’ll find some blackberries!