Fort Steilacoom Park — Attraction in Lakewood

I visit this park 3-4 times a week and I want to clear up a few things mentioned in the other comments. The entire park, not counting the soccer and baseball fields is about 380 acres--all of it walkable with your dogs. There are quite a few paths, some are paved and wheelchair accessible, while many more are dirt trails through the fields and woods. A walking route around the entire perimeter (excluding the ball fields) is about 3-1/2 miles.

The off-leash area is 21 acres. There are three fenced areas within the off-leash area. The small dog area is only about 1/10 acre in size and is limited to dogs under 15 lbs, though it's used so infrequently that some folks will take a larger dog in there for obedience training if there are no other dogs around. There is the Small Running Area--open to dogs of any size (as misunderstood by one of the other reviewers)--it's 2 acres in size and has a dog water fountain, a covered seating area and scattered benches for sitting. The remaining 19 acres is called the Large Running Area, not because it's for large dogs but because it's a large area! There is a dog water fountain there, a covered seating area (picnics not allowed), benches scattered throughout the area, a small wooded area, a rabbit patch, and large open fields.

I find that most folks are conscientious about cleaning up after their dogs, but I always carry extra bags and will clean up a pile if I see one. If an owner is distracted while their dog is pooping, there's nothing wrong with letting the owner know with a friendly "Clean-up on Aisle 7!" I always get a friendly "Thanks!" when I do this.

As for aggressive dogs, they are of course not allowed, but when somebody shows up with a problem dog it's usually the first and last time because folks around here are not shy about letting the owner know that he/she needs to get their dog socialized. If you want to avoid dog snarls, don't join a people-cluster--keep your dog moving and keep dog-to-dog encounters down to 5 or 6 dogs at a time. Also be sure to have a collar on your dog (required by the rules) so you or a stranger can pull the dogs apart if there's an altercation. Watch especially for un-neutered male dogs--they seem to be in the middle of dust-ups more often than neutered dogs.

There is a lake to the west of the off-leash area. It makes for nice scenery and lots of waterfowl, but it has toxic algae so nobody lets their dogs swim in it. This park is used by lots of folks for walking, jogging, bike riding, ball playing, etc so be sure to keep your pooch under control, especially when you leave the of-leash area. The white Animal Control van does stalk the park occasionally so don't be that guy who gets ticketed for having an unleashed dog after you leave the...

Fort Steilacoom Park, has a rich history tied to the early days of the Pacific Northwest and the establishment of Washington State. Located in Lakewood, Washington, it is the largest park in the city and has played several important roles in the region’s development.

History:

Indigenous Use: Before European settlers arrived, the area was home to Native American tribes, particularly the Steilacoom Tribe, who utilized the lands for hunting, gathering, and fishing. The name “Steilacoom” is derived from a Native American word that likely means “little pink flower” or “water,” referring to the natural environment. Fort Steilacoom: In the mid-19th century, the U.S. Army established Fort Steilacoom near the park’s current location, around 1849, as a military post to protect settlers during the Indian Wars. The fort played a key role during regional conflicts and helped facilitate settlement in the region. It was the first permanent military installation in the Washington Territory. Western State Hospital: After the military abandoned the fort, the land and buildings were converted into what eventually became Western State Hospital, the oldest psychiatric hospital in the state. Some of the original military buildings are still standing today and are part of the historical interest in the park. Transition to a Public Park: In the 20th century, parts of the land surrounding the hospital were repurposed into a public park. Fort Steilacoom Park officially became a major recreational area, featuring trails, sports fields, a dog park, and a large lake (Waughop Lake). Historic Sites: Many of the original buildings from the Fort Steilacoom era have been preserved and can still be visited. The park has become a site for historical interpretation, with efforts to educate visitors about the area’s military past and the connection to the Western State Hospital. Modern Usage: Today, Fort Steilacoom Park is a popular destination for local residents. It offers hiking, picnicking, and various community events. The park covers 340 acres and includes Waughop Lake, a popular spot for fishing and bird-watching. It also features a variety of historical landmarks and interpretive signs detailing the rich history of the area.

Fort Steilacoom Park stands as a cultural and historical landmark in Washington, reflecting the military, healthcare, and community development...

I have been going to this park for the last year after I moved to Tacoma from Gig Harbor. I had always had great experiences there. The majority of people there are very kind and friendly. There's a cabana with an awesome water wagon so the dogs can always have water. And the park goers refill it. Many people take a lot of pride in that park. However I had two bad experiences the last times I've gone.

The first experience was a man with two shepherds that attacked my dog twice in the same day. He didn't care at all, and when I told him his dogs were too aggressive for the park he said "that's a matter of opinion" and when I told him to please grab his dog to get it off my golden retriever he said "well why don't you do the same". Keep in mind that I'm a young female and it kinda scares me having to pry a huge Shepard off of my dog.

The second experience was with a young woman and her Doberman. My golden was jumping with excitement, because I was about to throw his ball for him. This Doberman literally plowed through my dog, knocking him down, and he cried as he did summer salts through the dirt. And then the Doberman tried attacking my dog. It was muzzled but it could still open its mouth half way and it was still terrifying because neither of us could break it up. She literally took my chuck-it and started hitting her dog with it (which only made it worse). I just feel like things are escalating lately and I don't feel safe at the park by myself anymore. I wish people were more considerate. If your dog is aggressive then there's a beautiful lake right next to the park where you can walk them on A LEASH.

But other than that, it's beautiful there and extremely big. My husky loves the park because he can run freely and run as fast as he possibly can. We've made many great friends, but I feel like it's not worth my dog's safety if people are bringing in dogs like this....