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Paradise Pond Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 83 Google reviews · Running trail in Tacoma, Washington · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Paradise Pond Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Clean park featuring trails for walking, wildlife-spotting and picnics.
What runners say about Paradise Pond Park
“Wood-chipped trails wind throughout the mossy, wetland forest, and the air smells sweet and clean.”
“University Place Parks Department has done a wonderful job of creating a nice place to walk wide pathways under a beautiful forest canopy.”
“Just a few feet away from the busy 67th street, the trail gets quiet, and civilization fades away.”
“Dogs are welcome if leashed (signage posted) and you pick up their waste.”
Beautiful park, but the name is deceiving, there may be a pond, but it is filled with vegetation. Reminds me more of a wetland. It's still a beautiful park, just don't expect to see the pond. It is filled with barked, hard-packed trails that would be just fine for strollers and wheelchairs.
There are no restrooms here! No water fountains, no garbage cans. No play structures. But if you just need to get your legs moving, this park has great walking trails. Some trails lead to a dead end, but most intertwine and meet again.
Beautiful and fun. Some dead ends make it a long walk if you don't know where you're going. There are plenty of benches and picnic tables.
Not sure if I should say nice things about this park because I don't want to see it overrun with lots of people. University Place Parks Department has done a wonderful job of creating a nice place to walk wide pathways under a beautiful forest canopy.
Trail conditions & character
“Unlike some other parks in the area (especially Tacoma parks), this one seems to have a little less animal/human waste, so thank you to everyone who does pick up after their dogs!”
“University Place Parks Department has done a wonderful job of creating a nice place to walk wide pathways under a beautiful forest canopy.”
“Ample parking, no bathrooms & pets must be leashed & cleaned up after.”
“Just a few feet away from the busy 67th street, the trail gets quiet, and civilization fades away.”
“Great little park, will throw you with many branching dead ends, but with a little exploration you will find a loop around.”
“It is filled with barked, hard-packed trails that would be just fine for strollers and wheelchairs.”
Plan your run at Paradise Pond Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–9 PM |
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