Charlotte's Blueberry Park Playground

More than 3,600 residents live within a 10-minute walk of Charlotte’s Blueberry Park in Tacoma, Washington, where over 4,000 organically maintained blueberry bushes are available—and free—for the picking from July to September. Once known as Berg’s Blueberry Farm, this beloved green space was renamed in honor of park advocate Charlotte Valbert, who led efforts to deter development, clear out unwanted species, and preserve the blueberry plants.

For years, a local stewardship group, Charlotte’s Blueberry Park Action Group, advocated for park improvements. In 2017, Trust for Public Land connected with the group and helped neighbors identify a new playground as a community priority; more than 250 community members provided input on the design. The play equipment is made from natural materials and features muted colors to blend in With the surroundings. And the layout of the playground and park allows parents to help out in the community garden (another new addition) or pick berries while kids play within sight, facilitating a variety of activities for all ages in proximity to one another.

Now, 900 children have a nearby place to play. In a neighborhood where the overall life expectancy is six years less than the Washington average, that’s a big boon to community health—not to mention food security. It also means there are plenty of people to enjoy all the bounty this park has to offer.