The Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is a constant year round activity available to park goers. Community involvement Tacomans appealed to President Grover Cleveland in 1888 to repurpose Point Defiance from a military reserve to a park; in 1905 President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation giving city full title to park. The park's first superintendent, Ebenezer Roberts, asked schoolchildren in 1895 to donate rose clippings to start a rose garden; today gardens have expanded to include native plants, herbs, iris, dahlia, and fuchsia; volunteers contribute time and plants. Citywide 2005 Park Bond Program provides $5.5 million to improve Point Defiance Park; projects include restoration of the Pagoda, trail maintenance, soil decontamination and converting mowed turf to habitat plantings. More than 1,500 citizens have engaged in the park's 2005 Park Improvement Bond planning since the process began in 2008. References External links Official website of Point Defiance Park Virtual tour of Point Defiance Park Official Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium website The News Tribune celebrates the park's 100th anniversary Fort Nisqually - Official site of Fort Nisqually Point Defiance Park- from GoSleepGo Camp 6 Logging Museum 01 Parks in Pierce County, Washington North Tacoma, Washington Regional parks in the United States Tourist attractions in Tacoma, Washington Japanese gardens in the United States 1888 establishments in Washington Territory Protected areas established in 1888