United Way Takes Olympia

by Lindsey Burks, Marketing Intern

Throughout the community United Way is well-known in workplaces for our campaigns, and in agencies for our support. The facet of our work that is less visible to the community is our advocacy; however lobbying at the Capital for support for children and families in Pierce County is one of the most critical elements of our mission. Although advocacy is a constant effort, our lobbying culminates on one day – our annual Day on the Hill.

Day on the Hill connects a team of United Way staff, volunteers and community members with legislators in Olympia to discuss the issues on our advocacy agenda. Led by United Way’s Public Policy Committee, the team will focus on issues including continued investments in early learning programs and the 2-1-1 Call Center, as well as funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The agenda also includes a key initiative around capital improvements to a Tacoma child care facility and a children’s outdoor art park.

The proposal for the urban children’s park seems simple enough. An undeveloped plot of land behind the Children’s Museum off Pacific Avenue is an ideal location for an outdoor park. However, the historic Prairie Line railroad track runs through this lot, an inactive track since 1943. This land has become somewhat of an eye sore for downtown goers. United Way envisions this unused land becoming a safe outdoor learning environment for Pierce County’s youth.

In 2012, State Representative Jake Fey and United Way initiated a conversation with the City of Tacoma, Metro Parks, Children’s Museum of Tacoma, and Tacoma Art Museum to look at state funds that could be used to purchase the property. The proposed park would link the daycare playground behind the United Way building to the Tacoma Art Museum.

Today, children need more opportunities to learn outdoors. Too often our kids are inside bogged down with iPads and video games. The Children’s Art Park creates a safe environment for adolescents to learn and explore with the elements outside while beautifying a downtown landmark that has been inactive for much too long. With the help of State Representatives this little plot of land, rich with history, can once again become an important jewel in our community.