The Swan Creek Park entrance near Pioneer Way East and Waller Road on the southeast side of Swan Creek will be closed weekdays starting June 27 while crews remove gravel from a sediment pond.

The Pioneer Way East entrance and all park property on the southeast side of Swan Creek will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for about 10 days. The rest of the park will remain open.

The sediment pond, which is located near the parking lot off of Pioneer Way, was designed to protect Pioneer Way East from flooding and reduce impacts to salmon when sediment removal takes place. Pierce County removes gravel from the pond every one to three years to ensure accumulated sediment does not cause problems downstream during high water flows.

Before the pond was built, Swan Creek would occasionally flood and close Pioneer Way East. The sediment pond provides additional water storage during storms and collects sediment to protect Pioneer Way East where it crosses over Swan Creek.

Pierce County will post signs at trailheads and on either side of the worksite warning park users of the maintenance work and closures. People in the park should use caution around the worksite and follow instructions from the crew.

Park users can visit www.piercecountywa.org/SwanCrParkClosure to learn more about the project and get updates about the closure.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Mike Halliday, Planning and Public Works public information specialist
(253) 798-4210
mliving@co.pierce.wa.us