Not everything the club does deals with ghosts or monsters. We just like to hang out when we’re not sleuthing a paranormal mystery. Today, it was off to the zoo in Tacoma to see some critters … but there’s going to be some ghostly tales, too. Get the scoop, videos and more after the jump.

About Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has been a part of Tacoma for over a hundred years. It started back in 1905 as a small collection of animals for people to enjoy. Over time, it grew into a much bigger place with animals from all over the world. Its spot in Point Defiance Park, surrounded by trees and water, makes it one of the prettiest zoos in the country.

In the 1960s, the zoo really started to change. They added their first aquarium, which was a big deal back then. Over the years, they built new exhibits like the Asian Forest Sanctuary and Arctic Tundra. These areas let you see amazing animals like tigers and polar bears up close. They’re also a big part of teaching people how to protect these animals in the wild.

Today, the zoo is more than just a place to see animals. It’s a place where you can learn about nature and how to take care of it. You can watch otters play, see elephants up close, or just enjoy the beautiful views. It’s a special spot in Tacoma that families have loved for generations.

TRIVIA: The zoo once had a bear pit, until a grizzly bear crawled out and made its way to the Narrows. This tale may have inspired the local legend about The Great Tear.

Ghosts Roam The Zoo & Park

Now, we could go to a spot unless there were ghosts associated with it. Turns out, there are 3 ghostly tales associated with the zoo and park.

1. Five Mile Drive

Ghost: Jennifer Bastian
Backstory:
In 1986, Jennifer Bastian, a 13-year-old girl, disappeared while biking along Five Mile Drive in Point Defiance Park. Her body was found weeks later in a remote area of the park. The case remained unsolved for decades, adding to the tragic mystery of her story. In 2018, DNA evidence led to the identification and arrest of her killer.

Haunting:
Visitors have reported seeing the ghostly figure of a young girl on a bicycle, often appearing near the more wooded sections of the drive. Witnesses describe her as wearing an old-fashioned outfit and appearing lost. When approached, she vanishes into thin air. Some also report hearing distant laughter or a bicycle bell ringing, even when no one is around.

Activity Hotspots:

• The wooded trails along Five Mile Drive
• Overlooks with views of the Puget Sound

2. The Pagoda

Ghost: A Woman from the 1920s
Backstory:
The Pagoda, originally a trolley station built in 1914, became a community space and event venue. According to local legend, a woman committed suicide in the restroom of the building during the 1920s. The reasons behind her death are unclear, but she is believed to linger in the space.

Haunting:
People using the Pagoda for events or visiting during off-hours have reported disembodied footsteps echoing through the halls. Sighs and faint cries are sometimes heard near the restroom area. A few visitors have claimed to see a shadowy figure of a woman in vintage clothing near the building’s entrance or inside the hall.

Activity Hotspots:

• The restroom where the alleged suicide occurred
• The main hall, particularly during quiet hours

3. General Park Area

Unexplained Phenomena:
Point Defiance Park is vast, and many areas, particularly the wooded trails, are linked to paranormal occurrences. Visitors and park employees alike have reported strange sensations, such as sudden cold spots, the feeling of being watched, and faint voices calling out.

Reported Sightings:

• A figure dressed in a long coat walking through the woods, only to disappear when approached
• Shadowy forms flitting between trees at dusk
• Sounds of footsteps or snapping branches with no apparent source

Activity Hotspots:

• The Owen Beach trails
• Secluded picnic areas and dense forested sections

Ghostly Activities Club Shenanigans

Not everything we do involves sleuthing and solving paranormal mysteries. We like to just hang out, too. We hadn’t met up in a while, so we planned this trip for the hell of it. However, we did plan our next ghost hunt (filming later this month). Read more after the image gallery.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Image Gallery

For our next adventure, we’ll investigate an old, haunted hotel with some new gadgets. The format will be different this time, but I don’t want to spoil it for you. It’s a seldom used format nowadays.

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Have you ever encountered a ghost or monster at a zoo, aquarium or park? If so, let us know in the comments below.

Thanks for reading Ghostly Activities. Much appreciated. Take care!