Depaving Project to Green Sprague & Division

In 2012 we wrote about the work of Depave, an organization with a mission of transforming paved places into community green spaces, and we asked "who's ready to depave Tacoma?" Well, two years later the answer, apparently, is "quite a few people." 

Along with partner agencies Depave, River Network, Stewardship Partners, Pierce Conservation District, and funding agency the Russell Family Foundation, City of Tacoma Environmental Services is inviting the public to come out to break up pavement and replace it with landscaping at one corner of that messy intersection of Division and Sprague.

Portland-based Depave gives community groups the tools to reclaim paved spaces in their cities, to be turned into attractive and usable community spaces. The Tacoma project, which Depave calls a "Puget Sound Pilot Project," will transform that ugly awkward wedge corner where the check cashing place sits (across from Jason Lee). According to the Depave project page, volunteers from nearby churches and students from Jason Lee will chip in to create "green pockets with trees and native plants around this paved island at a unique intersection in Tacoma." 

Tacoma residents of all ages are invited to join in on the experience of ripping out blacktop and replacing it with greenery. Pavement will be torn up and removed this Sunday, March 16. Replacement planting will take place the following Sunday, March 23. Read the full press release for more.

If this pilot project has you thinking about the potential in your neighborhood, you can find resources and link to submit your proposal to Stewardship Partners at depave.org/puget-sound. You can also view pictures there of the Sprauge and Division site being prepped for depaving this weekend.

Who's ready to chip in? If this goes well, where else in Tacoma might you want to see depaved?