Orangegate Park

This undeveloped Pierce County park is currently getting amenities although the master plan is to keep the natural setting of the 160 acres. The trails are open to hikers, horses and mountain bikers. Given the parks urban setting with close proximity to so many, there is lots of interest and usage in this land. Cutting through the park is 84th Street East giving the park two sections, Orangegate North and Orangegate South. Expect timber thinning to take place as the forest has not been managed well and needs some help. Sections of the park closing are taking place as development is being done.

Passing through the park is the Pipeline Trail, a 12-foot wide paved trail that goes from Tacoma to South Hill. Orangegate Park is a major trailhead for this biking trail although the trail going south from the park is still under development.

Orangegate Park is called Orangegate because it was traditionally entered through an orange gate when it was owned by the State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). During the 1980’s, the DNR declared the 160 acre area surplus and offered it for sale. The property was proposed to become a trailer court. The Summit-Waller Community strongly opposed this proposal and set out to insure that the property would remain in public ownership. During that time, SWCA members Larry Volland, Dennis Young, Dan Haire, and others met with officials from DNR and Pierce County. Ultimately, Pierce County was able to purchase the 160 acres for approximately one million dollars which was a bargain even in that day.