Community History & Accomplishments

Our Community History is Alive with Stories of Family and Places

Read the Heart of Waller Road booklet here (PDF)

Read about some of the History of Byrd Mill Road here (PDF) provided by Peggy Anderson

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 approx. $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 Advisory Commission (MCAC).
  • Assisted Pierce County in creating the Mid-County Community Plan for the Summit-Waller, 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 initiate an on line complaint/request to deal with litter, junk/ abandoned cars on public right-away or on private property.
  • Instrumental in the creation of a new, trail system called “The Pipeline Trail” using Tacoma Water’s Pipeline Road as a trail with a future trailhead station at Orangegate Park in the Summit-Waller community. The trail would eventually link Tacoma and our community with the Foothills Rails-to-Trails system in the Orting Valley, and with other regional trail systems. The trail should be complete to Orangegate Park by 2025.
  • 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 – “Welcome to Summit-Waller”.
  • 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; Requested & received addition streetlights by the school.
  • Assisted the Franklin Pierce School Dist. in resurrecting a farm program at the “Farm at Franklin Pierce” (96th St E & Waller Road E) to provide fruits & vegetables to the school lunch program, and provide agricultural experiences for students at all grade levels, and promoting in 2015 a new STEM Natural Science Research Ctr. Bldg. at the Farm.
  • 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.
  • SWCA – An Adopt-A-Road Litter Patrol Participant – Waller Road E from SR 512 to Pioneer Way E. (twice yearly).
  • Initiated & 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 – P. County Parks & Rec. 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 2012, 2014 & 2016 State 25th Leg. District Candidates Forums for interested citizens.
  • Endorsed & promoted the successful Franklin Pierce & Puyallup school districts’ levy Issues in 2014 & 2018.
  • Endorsing & promoting the School Bond efforts in both the Puyallup (2015) & Franklin Pierce (2016) districts.
  • 2015 – P. County Parks & Rec. Dept. – SWCA: Volunteer Group Award – Efforts with Orangegate Park.
  • 2017 – Initiated new county legislation to streamline dealing with nuisance properties in the county.
  • 2018 – Initiated revised “Illegal Fireworks” laws – now a Class 1 Civil Infraction: fine $1,230.00.
  • 2019 – Initiated a new ordinance restricting parking at night around Orangegate Park (10:00pm-5:00am).
  • 2020 – Co-Sponsored League of Women Voters Primary & General Virtual Candidates Forums.

Current SWCA Involvement

  • Continuing as the 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, next to Tacoma Power’s 40-acre, Cowlitz Substation).
  • Continuing to sponsor local level & state level Candidate Forums. Note – Last in October 2018.
  • Working with the Franklin Pierce School District on continued expansion of the “Farm at Franklin Pierce” program 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 – examples: Waller Road & Pioneer Way E (done); 84th St E & Waller Road (done); plus several new street lights.
  • 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 & Neighborhood Watch).
  • Continuing to support the Mid-County Community Center and its activities for seniors.
  • Continuing our efforts with county officials and agencies to deal with nuisance properties in our area.
  • Continuing to communicate with local and state elected officials over issues consistent with our mission statement.

Updated 11/2020