Eastside Community Center

Visit the new community center, offering a range of programs for everyone, all ages and abilities.

• Free and member activity list
• Location: 1721 E 56th St., Tacoma, WA 98404
• Contact: (253) 404-3990

A 373-acre green space located on the border of Tacoma's Eastside neighborhood, Swan Creek Park offers trails for walking, hiking, and mountain biking, a new community garden, and a salmon-bearing stream.

• Location: E 42nd St. & Roosevelt Ave.
• Visit the park website

Stewart Heights Park

A 24.55-acre park bordering the east and south end of Tacoma featuring updated playing fields, a skateboard park, playground, and large outdoor swimming pool.

• Location: 5715 Reginald Gutierrez Lane 
• Visit the park website

Community Gardens

Community gardens are a great way to meet your neighbors, grow some veggies, and spend time outdoors. Local gardens are:

• Mountain View Community Garden located at E. 51st St. & E. K St.
• Boze Community Garden located at E. 68th St. & E. I St.

Find more information about how to join a community garden here. 

Bus Transit

Pierce Transit busses connect the Eastside to Puyallup, Lakewood, and downtown Tacoma, including the Tacoma Dome Station and the Tacoma Mall. Busses tend to run every half-hour or more frequently during daytime hours on weekdays.

• Route 42:  Connects to Downtown Tacoma 
• Route 54: Connects to Tacoma Mall Transit Center
• Route 202: Connects to Lakewood Mall Transit Center
• 72nd Street Transit Center: services multiple routes including 42, 54, 202, and 409 to Puyallup

Bike Trails

Swan Creek Park has opportunities for both road and mountain biking on their paved and dirt trails. Bike paths also connect Swan Creek to other parts of Eastside and are a great way to get around!

• Phase 2 of the Pipeline Trail is a 2.4 mile section creating a non-motorized shared use path between East 48th and East 40th Streets. The path starts at Pipeline Road on East 48th Street and ends at the East 'D' Street I-5 Overpass. Find more information on the trail here. 

Eloise's Cooking Pot Food Bank

Eloise's Cooking Pot is open six days a week and provides quality food and personal hygiene products to community members in need of assistance. 

• Location: 3543 McKinley Ave.
• Find hours at their website 

Department of Social and Health Services: Pierce South Community Office

Find resources for food, cash, and medical assistance, adult care, youth services, mental health and addiction services, and disability support. 

• Location: 1301 72nd St. E.
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM-5 PM

Pierce County Family Support Center

Services offered at the Eastside Family Support Center include parenting classes, support groups, nutrition services and referrals for services like immunizations, counseling, life skills training, and more. 

• Location: 3702 E McKinley Ave
• Contact the Eastside location by emailing sbutt@tpchd.org or calling (253) 798-4569 

Eastside Farmer's Market

The farmer's market comes to the Eastside on Tuesdays, June through August, from 3-7 PM. Find fresh vegetables, herbs, baked goods, flowers, and prepared foods as well as music, kid's activities and demonstrations. 

• Location: 3500 McKinley Ave. 
• Find more information on their website

Portland Avenue Nursery

Find rare and native plants, trees, shrubs and more at this nursery right in the Eastside. 

• Location: 1409 E. 59th St.
• Find more information on their website

Eastside Neighborhood Council

The Eastside Neighborhoods Advisory Council of Tacoma (ENACT) is an independent, non-profit organization that serves as volunteer advisory council to the City of Tacoma, with a mission of supporting a direct voice from East Tacoma community members to government. 

• Meetings: Every 3rd Monday at 6:30 PM at the Eastside Community Center 
• Learn more at their website 

Safe Streets Groups

Safe Streets Campaign's mission is to empower individuals, families, youth, neighborhoods and organizations to create safe neighborhoods. They do this by organizing neighborhoods and communities for action by forming block organizations and developing grassroots leadership.  

• Find your neighborhood group and its meeting time at Safe Street's website 

Eastside Farmer's Market

In the heart of the historic McKinley district, the Eastside farmer's market offers an abundant selection of the freshest fruits, vegetables, flowers, honey, processed foods, and baked goods. Come enjoy weekly music, kids activities, cooking demos, and much more!

• When: Tuesdays 3-7 PM, June-August
• Where: 3500 McKinley Ave., East Tacoma, WA

Eastside Nature Hour

Join Tacoma Nature Center staff at the Eastside Community Center for a monthly nature program and learn about plants and animals, create fun crafts, and go outside to observe nature. 

• When: Second Saturday of each month from 2-3 PM
• Where: Check in at the reception desk of Eastside Community Center 
• Cost: $1/person or join the Eastside Family Nature Club for $20 to participate all year!