Another Vision for the Foss
The yet undeveloped Foss Waterway park has been on people’s minds for quite some time, with plans for a park or the possible relocation of the Children’s Museum. (Previously on Exit133) Recently, a new vision for the site came across our desks.
A coalition of paddlers and rowers has proposed adaptive reuse of the Berg Scaffolding building into a boathouse for kayaks, dragon boats, outrigger canoes, and rowing shells. The site would be cleaned up to provide access to the water and a launching space for the boats.
Historically, the site was the Tacoma Boat Building Company and Thea Foss started her business with a rowboat livery. This newest vision maintains the history of the site. We like boats. We like the water. Hmmm….
Read more about the new vision here
Filed under: General
8 comments
E Erik Hanberg November 29, 2007
I think that being able to get out onto the water is really important to fully enjoying the region that we live in. While some have yachts and speedboats, I think that a place to launch affordable kayaks, small crafts, and even dragon boats keeps the water accessible to a lot of people.
It’s a very cool vision to make it an important part of the Foss.
F Frank Jacobs November 29, 2007
An outstanding proposal. Rowers and other small craft users have been searching for such a facility for years. This would preserve an existing building on the former site of a major shipyard, and would be quite low in cost due to the structure now there. It fulfills the promise of the City for using the site for recreation and true park use. A big homerun idea.
A Amanda Josiah November 29, 2007
This will be such a great venue for our team and for all the clubs that we have the pleasure of meeting out there. The potential has always been there to have a place designed to incorporate something that can only enhance Tacoma and the Foss Waterway – I’m glad to see the steps are being taken to see that potential become reality and include all the essentials (showers, parking, launch, and security). I’m looking forward to paddling out there! (Kikaha o ke Kai member)
T Thomas November 29, 2007
Since my days on the UW Rowing team, I’ve always dreamed of having a convenient launch pad for sculling around Commencement Bay. Perhaps we can start a UWT rowing club???
M Mofo from the Hood November 30, 2007
Thomas, you might want to think about shifting your focus and energy toward your new blog—-the world really could use your sense of humor.
T teehee December 1, 2007
It would be great for the community to have shared access to kayaks, outriggers and shells. How much stuff can you fit in your garage? But for now, those of us with a will find a way (bit inconvienent) to get out on Commencement Bay. Too bad most people don’t have the chance to do it often enough.
Thanks for posting info on the public meeting. It has been helpful.
D Deborah Sandidge December 2, 2007
Lk Union has 5 human
powered water sports NOT to mention UW Crew. The Foss water way has 2 World Class Dragonboat teams and other world class paddlers on it almost daily. We have the potential of having a UW Tacoma Crew. What is Tacoma waiting for. Let’s make it happen on the Foss water way too.
Deborah Sandidge TEAM USA World Dragon Boat Championships 2007-Sydney, Australia
J jeffrey wong December 2, 2007
Great idea!
I’d love to have a safe and convenient place to launch kayaks and rowing shells. I’d pay dues to use a facility like this!
If Tacoma had this, more people would put down their video games & big screen remotes to go mess about in boats!