Community History & Accomplishments

Our Community History is Alive with Stories of Family and Places

Read the Heart of Waller Road booklet here (PDF).

Some SWCA Highlight Accomplishments

  • SWCA Established March, 1993.
  • Assisted Pierce County in acquiring the 160 acre Orangegate property from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) through an application to Pierce County Conservation Futures for approximately $900,000.
  • Assisted Pierce County in creating the Summit-Waller Community Plan (1989).
  • Assisted Pierce County in creating the Summit-Waller Land Use Advisory Commission, which later was merged into the current Mid-County Land Use Advisory Commission.
  • Assisted Pierce County in creating the Mid-County Community Plan for the Summit-Waller, Riverside, Summit View and North Clover Creek-Collins communities (2005).
  • Assisted Pierce County in the creation of the Rural Separator (RSep) zoning for the Mid-County communities.
  • Had a major impact on the creation of the popular “Pierce County Responds” program where citizens can make a single phone call, (253) 798-4636 to deal with litter, junk or abandoned cars on public right-away or on private property.
  • Instrumental in the creation of a new trail system using Tacoma Water’s Pipeline Road as a paved Cross County Commuter Connector Trail with a future trailhead station at Orangegate Park along Pipeline Road in Summit-Waller. The CCCC Trail would link Gig Harbor, Tacoma and our community with the Rails-to-Trails system in the Orting Valley, and with other regional trail systems. The CCCC Trail is currently in the planning and funding stages.
  • Assisted Pierce County in the design and implementation of the unincorporated Pierce County community signs visible as one enters a community plan area of the county.
  • Assisted the Puyallup School District and Pierce County to create an ordinance that allowed 20 MPH signs on the streets that border Waller Road Elementary School.
  • Assisted the Franklin Pierce School District in resurrecting a farm program at the Farm (96th St E & Waller Road E) to provide fruits and vegetables to the school lunch program, and provide agricultural experiences for district students at all grade levels.
  • Assisted the Franklin Pierce School District in its Vision 2030 Plan.
  • Endorsed and assisted the Franklin Pierce School District in its successful 2011 Capital Levy effort.
  • Adopt-A-Road Litter Patrol Participant Waller Road E from SR 512 to Pioneer Way E.
  • Initiated and paid for a professional viability study (2010) of the Rural Separator Zone including the Summit-Waller Community – The Tom Ballard Report.
  • 2011 – Franklin Pierce School District – a SWCA board member received a ‘Partnership in Education’ Award.
  • 2011 – Pierce County Parks & Recreation Dept. – a SWCA board member received an ‘Outstanding Adult Volunteer’ Award.
  • 2012 – Franklin Pierce School District – another SWCA board member received a ‘Partnership in Education’ Award.
  • Conducted a 2012 State 25th Leg. District Candidates Forum for interested citizens.
  • Endorsed & promoted the successful Franklin Pierce & Puyallup school districts’ levy Issues in February, 2014.

Current SWCA Involvement

  • Continuing as a volunteer caretaker group for the 160 acre Orangegate property for Pierce County Parks & Recreation Department (in the area of 84th St E & 46 Ave E).
  • Continuing to promote current and future implementation of an Integrated Mobile Learning Platform (IMLP) strategy for the Franklin Pierce and Puyallup School Districts.
  • Working with the Franklin Pierce School District on continued expansion of the Farm program located at Waller Road E & 96th St E. to benefit district agricultural programs and the school lunch program in the district.
  • Working with Pierce County officials to promote additional street lighting and traffic signals in our community.
  • Continuing our Waller Road E ‘Adopt-A-Road’ effort (SR 512 to Pioneer Way E).
  • Continuing to monitor zoning and crime issues within our community. (Mid-County Community Plan & Neighborhood Watch Programs)
  • Continuing to support the Mid-County Community Center and its activities for seniors.
  • Continuing to communicate with our local and state elected officials over a variety of issues consistent with our mission statement.
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