The Next Chapter of Play: Greentrike Announces New CEO
Greentrike today announced the appointment of its next Chief Executive Officer, marking an important leadership transition as the organization continues their mission to honor children and champion play across Pierce County. Chelsie Webster will officially assume the role in April 2026, following Greentrike CEO Tanya Durand’s 29-year tenure. This transition reflects Greentrike’s intentional and rigorous succession planning, as well as our deep commitment to organizational stability, mission continuity, and long-term community impact. Chelsie was selected following a national [...]
Children’s Museum of Tacoma Takes the Gold
Greentrike is excited to announce that the Children’s Museum of Tacoma has been recognized with two awards in the 2025 Best of Pierce County. The Museum earned Gold for Best Children’s Birthday Party Venue and Bronze for Best Museum. These community-voted honors celebrate the Museum’s joyful and engaging play environments that have served families across Pierce County for forty years. "We are deeply honored and grateful to our community for this recognition," said Shannon Rojecki, Director of Early Learning [...]
Wonder of Light — Illuminating Imagination and Discovery
The Children’s Museum of Tacoma opened its newest exhibit called Wonder of Light. Located in the Museum’s Studio B, the exhibit’s new features create an environment that encourages the exploration of light and a calming sensory immersion. This cozy environment invites visitors to slow down and experience moments of quiet wonder. Light and shadow dance across the room, reflections spark new perspectives, and soft corners offer a calming pause. Creativity here flows through open-ended exploration, where glowing colors, transparency, [...]
Museums Close for Shine Week 2025
Update September 5, 2025 — Shine has been extended and the Museums will also be closed on Monday, September 8. The Children's Museum of Tacoma will reopen on Wednesday, September 10. The Children's Museum at JBLM will reopen Thursday, September 11. Original Release The Children’s Museum of Tacoma and the Children’s Museum at JBLM will be closed from September 1 through September 7 for Shine Week, the Museums’ annual weeklong deep-cleaning and maintenance event. Throughout the year, Museum staff work [...]
After Nearly 30 Years of Service, Greentrike CEO to Pass the Torch
Tacoma, WA — Greentrike shared today that CEO Tanya Durand, who has served the organization for 29 years, will retire effective February 2026. Over nearly three decades, Tanya has played a transformative role in advancing Greentrike’s mission to honor children and youth and champion play. Tanya will leave the organization with a legacy of excellence in early learning, groundbreaking access programs, and a focus on centering children and youth in Pierce County. Tanya first joined Greentrike in 1996, when the [...]
Sensory Inclusive Kits and Spaces at the Children’s Museums of Tacoma and at JBLM
Greentrike has expanded its support for individuals with sensory sensitivity with a partnership with KultureCity, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating accessible and inclusive spaces for individuals with invisible disabilities. Through this collaboration, Greentrike has officially received Sensory Inclusive® Certification, fostering the organization's continuous commitment to creating welcoming environments for all guests, including those with sensory needs. As part of this certification, many of the Children’s Museums of Tacoma and at JBLM staff have completed KultureCity’s Sensory Inclusive® training. The training [...]
Greentrike Named YMCA Partner of the Year
At the Eighth Annual Center for Community Impact Celebration, the YMCA’s Center for Community Impact (CCI) named Greentrike their Partner of the Year. This year’s celebration honors the longstanding partnership of the YMCA and Greentrike. The Partner of the Year Award is a result of the two organizations’ work to deliver impactful programming for students in Tacoma and in the Franklin Pierce School District. Hosted by the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap County, this annual event recognizes the excellence of [...]
Pedal to the Children’s Museums of Tacoma and at JBLM for Women’s History Month Storytime for the Whole Family
Update March 21, 2025: The storytime at the Children's Museum at JBLM will not be taking place at this time and has been removed from the event calendar. In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Children’s Museum of Tacoma and the Children’s Museum at JBLM will host a special storytime event and activity. Tacoma-based author Mary Boone will read her book Pedal Pusher, which is based on a true story. The events will be accompanied by special activities in the [...]
Children’s Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Receives Fisher Service Award
Greentrike’s Children’s Museum at JBLM, the first and only children’s museum on a US Military installation, was awarded the leading 2024 Fisher House Award on October 23 in Arlington, VA. Fisher House Foundation and Military Times Foundation awarded Greentrike $100,000 and an advertising package of $50,000. The award will fund Greentrike’s access admission model Pay As You Will, operations, and programming for the Children’s Museum at JBLM. "We are deeply honored to have the Children’s Museum at Joint Base Lewis-McChord [...]
Children’s Museum at Joint Base Lewis McChord Launches Diaper Bank for Military Families
Greentrike is excited to announce that the Monarch Diaper Bank will open in the Children’s Museum at JBLM on November 15, 2024. Greentrike is known for bringing playful experiences to families in their communities, from opening the first children’s museum on a US military installation to launching a diaper bank to serve military families exclusively. The Monarch Diaper Bank will be located inside the lobby of the Children’s Museum at JBLM, 2275 Liggett Ave, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA 98433. Operating [...]