Name: Schuster Parkway Promenade
Rating: 3.0

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The north end of the trail detours through Old Town as the permanent connection to Ruston Path is still in planning (see link about promenade project below). There is no sidewalk along Ruston Way, pedestrians should not use Ruston Way overpass. Use extreme caution when crossing the train tracks at the north end of the trail; do not cross before the crossing gate raises, as trains travel in both directions.

Description

This two-mile trail is great for those looking to extend their adventure from Ruston Path at the north end, or from Thea Foss Waterway Public Esplanade at the south end, with an easy connection to the downtown trolley at the south end.

This trail follows Schuster Parkway, occasionally becoming sidewalk along the road, and then leading back into the trees. You'll see ongoing restoration efforts as you pass through the Schuster Slope Restoration Area on the steep slopes to the west of the trail.

A large portion of the trail is adjacent to train tracks, and it's great for train-watching. About halfway through the trail, you'll pass large silos where trains may stop to transfer goods with docked cargo ships.

At the north end of the trail, you'll pass two large ships just east of Tacoma’s Chinese Reconciliation Park. They are twin sister ships, the S.S. Cape Island and the S.S. Cape Intrepid. They are relief ships run by the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the Ready Reserve Force (ships on standby for things like hurricane relief or urgent support of defense operations)

For more information on the Schuster Parkway Promenade Project, visit their website.

And for more information on the Schuster Slope Restoration Area, see their website.