Ruston Way is a neighborhood on the west shore of
Commencement Bay in the north end of
Tacoma, Washington.
The two-mile long shoreline paralleling the
BNSF tracks and Ruston Way is the focal point. It comprises several parks, public docks (Old Town Dock, Les Davis Pier), and numerous restaurants and office buildings. The Tacoma Fallen Firefighters Memorial, a
9/11 memorial, and the historic
Fireboat No. 1 are all near the center of the long Ruston Way waterfront. A popular paved multi-use trail extends from Chinese Reconciliation Park on the south end (where Schuster Parkway transfers to Ruston Way at
Old Town) to the 97-acre Point Ruston residential and commercial development to the north. The city boundary between Tacoma and
Ruston cuts through Point Ruston, but the trail continues north toward the
Tacoma Yacht Club.
Jack Hyde Park. Old Town Dock was owned by the City of Tacoma before World War I. The city bought much of the land within the current park from the
Tacoma Boatbuilding Company in 1972, and purchased two additional adjacent land parcels in 1973 and 1976.
Hamilton Park. A small park with a grassy strip, a few tables, a narrow beach, and access to a public dock adjacent to a waterfront hotel.
Dickman Mill Park. Metro Parks acquired the site of the former Dickman Lumber Mill (which closed in 1974 after about 80 years of operation). The land was redeveloped as a city park but retained several concrete foundations from the old mill.
Marine Park. The park includes several long grassy fields, picnic tables, and water access for scuba divers.