Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Fort Nisqually Update

From Metro Parks:

Feb. 1, 2016
 
 
One of the interior design options to be presented on Feb. 11

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One of the interior options to be presented on Feb. 11.

Fort Nisqually possibilities to be unveiled Feb. 11
Public meeting part of process to decide Fort’s future capital projects and programs
 
A new visitor center, refurbished structures, better restroom access, improved parking, innovative interpretation techniques and more capital improvement possibilities at Fort Nisqually over the next 20 years will be unveiled in a public meeting at 6 pm. Feb. 11 in the Metro Parks Board Room, 4702 S. 19th St.
 
The ideas have been gathered for months through public meetings and extensive research, all to create a more immersive visitor experience that will engage families as well as individual history enthusiasts to Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. Metro Parks wants to hear citizens’ reactions to the ideas, which will help them move forward with long-range capital and program plans for the Fort.
                                                                                                           
The meeting will be the second in a series of three public meetings focused on the Fort’s long-range capital and program plans. The museum is one of 10 focus areas identified for detailed planning in the Point Defiance Park Master Plan, which was updated in 2015. Other areas listed for detailed focus include Owen Beach, the Pearl Street entrance and overall traffic patterns.
 
As for Fort Nisqually, Chief Planning Manager Doug Fraser said he’d like more people to take part in the discussion of how best to use future capital funds and carry out the Fort’s mission of interpretation, education, research and preservation. “Now’s a great time to get involved in developing a detailed vision of the Fort’s future. You’ll see maps, diagrams and photos. We’d like you to tell us what you think.”
 
Metro Parks has hired Weatherhead Experience Design Group to lead the conversation. The group previously assisted Seattle’s EMP Museum and Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), as well as the Chicago History Museum.
 
If you are unable to attend the Feb. 11 meeting, but would like to contribute ideas, call Fraser at  (253) 305-1019 or email him at dougf@tacomaparks.com.  A third and final public meeting is likely to take place in late March or April. For more information about overall Point Defiance Park planning, go to www.DestinationPointDefiance.org.  
 
_DSC4292The $198 million capital improvement bond passed by voters in 2014 included about $100,000 for Fort Nisqually planning.

Located in Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park, Fort Nisqually Living History Museum is a restoration of the Hudson’s Bay Company outpost on Puget Sound. Visitors travel back in time and experience life in Washington Territory. Nine buildings are open to the public, including the Granary and the Factors House, both National Historic Landmarks, and a Visitor Center with Museum Store. Fort Nisqually Living History Museum is a facility of Metro Parks Tacoma.  

Fort Nisqually Public Meeting
6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, Metro Parks Tacoma Board Room, 4702 S. 19th St.

Contacts:         
Doug Fraser, Chief Planning Manager, (253) 305-1019; dougf@tacomaparks.com
Melissa McGinnis, Historic & Cultural Resource Manager, (253) 305-1003; melissam@tacomaparks.com
Michael Thompson, Public Information Officer, (253) 305-1092; michaelt@tacomaparks.com

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