Tacoma: A Pet Friendly Place to Live Well

Tacoma is a strong match for people who enjoy an active life with a dog (or pet). Many of the city’s most loved outdoor areas welcome pets, and several are only minutes from FTJ and Parkside View.

Outdoor Dog Spots in Tacoma/University Place

• Point Defiance Park Off‑Leash Area: About 7 acres of forested space and a separate small‑dog section.
• Wapato Park: An 88-acre urban park in Tacoma featuring a one-mile walking trail around a lake, a historic 1938 pergola, a playground, and an off-leash fenced dog park divided for small and large dogs.
• Swan Creek Park: A 373-acre, largely forested greenspace located In Tacoma. Known for its wooded canyon, salmon-bearing stream, and diverse recreational opportunities, it features extensive hiking and mountain biking trails, a community garden, a 4-acre dog park, and picnic areas. 
• Chambers Creek Regional Park: Situated along the Puget Sound coastline just south of Tacoma, it features the Chambers Bay Golf Course, walking trails, beach access and a one-mile, fenced off-leash dog park with separate areas for large and small/senior dogs. The site includes, water, and waste stations. Dogs are also allowed on leash throughout the park and on the beach south of the bridge.

Being this close to Point Defiance means many residents build simple routines—an early walk, a short drive, or an easy stroll into the trees or around the beautiful gardens.

Indoor and Social Options

• Wet Noses Dry Paws (Tacoma): A large indoor dog park with turf and agility features, plus climate control for rainy days.
• Paws‑abilities (Fife): Indoor play spaces, agility options, and classes.

Both make winter days easier without sacrificing exercise.

Pet‑Friendly Food and Drink

There are 45 dog-friendly restaurants in Tacoma that welcome dogs at their outdoor tables including the Ram Restaurant, Hanks Bar and Pizza, Rock the Dock, Twisted Fork Saloon, Rosewood Café, The Fish Peddler, Antique Sandwich Company, Odd Otter Brewing, North 47 Brewing, Engine House No. 9, Top of Tacoma, and Incline Cider House. Many people enjoy a simple rhythm: walk the dog, enjoy a drink, then head home to a quiet apartment.

Local Pet Services

• Pet Butler Tacoma: Walking, sitting, and shuttle services.
• Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County: Adoption, microchipping, and community pet events.

These services help when you travel or need temporary support.

Tacoma Pet History

Tacoma’s connection to animals goes back generations. When Franke Tobey Jones, one of the city’s early retirement homes, was established in 1925 the very first resident moved in with her cat and a cage full of canaries. That detail has lasted more than a century, and it speaks to something steady: pets have long been part of what “home” means here at Franke Tobey Jones.

What This Setup Offers

For many people age 65 and better looking to keep momentum in their daily lives, FTJ and

Parkside View provide:

• Activities: Walks around our beautiful campus as well as in Point Defiance and Point Ruston, community classes and nearby dog parks.
• Community: Neighbors who value views, movement, and staying engaged.
• Flexibility: Independent living now, with optional future support on the same campus.

The core questions senior living prospects are asking: Will living at Franke Tobey Jones feel medical? Will I be stuck? Can I keep my pet and still travel?—all point back to the same reassurance: the FTJ experience is closer to a small, active neighborhood with a support system wrapped around it where many pets are welcomed with open arms.

A Steady Way to Explore Your Next Step

If you’re considering living on our campus, it may help to take one small action at a time:

• Walk part of the FTJ campus to get a feel for the space and pace of daily life.
• While visiting the campus, ask about pet policies, resident groups and about the many pets that enjoy FTJ.

If the answers line up with the life you want—movement, community, independence, flexibility, and a dog (or pet) nearby—then Parkside View is worth keeping close on the list.

If you have questions or would like to tour our campus, please contact us at 253-200-6517.