Traffic Gardens
A traffic garden is a mini-streetscape for kids to practice traffic safety skills without cars.
Tacoma Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Traffic Gardens
Looking for a fun summer activity for your family? Want to practice bike and pedestrian safety skills? Check out this map to find a traffic garden near you!
Traffic gardens are for children walking, bicycling, or using a scooter or skateboard. No motorized vehicles or devices are allowed on the traffic gardens, except wheelchairs.
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Summer 2026 Traffic Garden Pop-Up Events
Pop-up traffic gardens have returned to Tacoma! This summer, the Safe Routes to School program is partnering with Parks Tacoma to host pop-up traffic gardens at the following Free Summer Meal Sites:
- Manitou Park
- Thursday, July 30
- 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Free lunch for youth 12:30-1:30 p.m.)
- Featuring:
- Free minor bike tune ups from 2nd Cycle
- Tacoma Tree Foundation signing South Tacoma neighbors up for free trees through the Safe TREE Routes to School program
- City of Tacoma Council District 5 Participatory Budgeting
- Balance bikes, scooters, and helmets to borrow during the event
- Traffic garden activity books, reflective stickers, and more fun activities!
- NE Tacoma Playground-on the basketball court
- Thursday, August 6
- 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Free lunch for youth 12:30-1:30 p.m.)
- Featuring:
- Balance bikes, scooters, and helmets to borrow during the event
- Traffic garden activity books, reflective stickers, and more fun activities!
- Verlo Playfield-on the tennis court
- Friday, August 15
- 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Free lunch for youth 12:30-1:30 p.m.)
- Featuring:
- Free minor bike tune ups from 2nd Cycle
- Balance bikes, scooters, and helmets to borrow during the event
- Traffic garden activity books, reflective stickers, and more fun activities!
Installed using spray chalk, the temporary traffic gardens can last between three weeks and three months, depending on the weather. So, even if a pop-up event has passed, you can still visit the traffic garden as long as it lasts!
- Manitou Park
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Permanent Traffic Gardens
Tacoma has two permanent traffic gardens installed at local schools as a part of the Community Schoolyard project, and two more to be installed by Fall 2026:
Stafford Elementary School: Installed in 2024
Jennie Reed Elementary School: Installed in 2024
Mann Elementary School: Scheduled to be installed by Fall 2026
Larchmont Elementary School: Scheduled to be installed by Fall 2026