Great piece, thanks Adam. It's pretty incredible how quickly Dune Peninsula became the top birding hotspot in Pierce County. I know plenty of locals who still feel queasy about the development of Point Ruston, considering its history.
Thanks for reading, Chris, and sharing this local perspective. It's interesting how it's become good for birders. I think there are lots of similar sites that serve that role in other locales--formally toxic places that have some good characteristics for habitat.
My dad spent his early childhood in Ruston and later wondered if that contributed to his mom's early death from breast cancer and his own stomach cancer diagnosis in his 40s.
Love this, Adam! I was in grad school here during that time but left just before the stack came down. When I moved back I was amazed to see the development and thought it was silly but then moved there for a year and changed my tune. I came to LOVE the new park and its homage to native son, Frank Herbert, and that Point Defiance is now connected for peds/cyclists. We are so fortunate to have the open spaces on that end of town. Now that I am renting a house up the hill, though, all veg and herbs will be grown above ground…the arsenic plume was no joke!
Great piece, thanks Adam. It's pretty incredible how quickly Dune Peninsula became the top birding hotspot in Pierce County. I know plenty of locals who still feel queasy about the development of Point Ruston, considering its history.
Thanks for reading, Chris, and sharing this local perspective. It's interesting how it's become good for birders. I think there are lots of similar sites that serve that role in other locales--formally toxic places that have some good characteristics for habitat.
My dad spent his early childhood in Ruston and later wondered if that contributed to his mom's early death from breast cancer and his own stomach cancer diagnosis in his 40s.
These things are complicated, of course, but it sure seems likely to be a key contributing factor.
Love this, Adam! I was in grad school here during that time but left just before the stack came down. When I moved back I was amazed to see the development and thought it was silly but then moved there for a year and changed my tune. I came to LOVE the new park and its homage to native son, Frank Herbert, and that Point Defiance is now connected for peds/cyclists. We are so fortunate to have the open spaces on that end of town. Now that I am renting a house up the hill, though, all veg and herbs will be grown above ground…the arsenic plume was no joke!
Thanks for sharing this, Pamela. You are probably wise with your gardening adaptation!