Doris Heritage, a trailblazer in women’s competitive running, is being honored as the namesake of Gig Harbor’s newest park.
The grand opening of Doris Heritage Park is at 4 p.m. on June 16 at 10660 Harbor Hill Dr. The opening is one of the first phases of the Gig Harbor Sports Complex, according to Gig Harbor’s website. The opening includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by Heritage and Mayor Mary Barber.
The park was supposed to open in February, but construction was delayed due to weather and other factors, according to Gig Harbor Parks Manager Jennifer Haro.
Doris Heritage Park includes six pickleball courts, three bocce ball courts, two picnic areas, a playground for children ages two to 12, a performance stage and a restroom building. The children’s playground has a maritime theme, with a bright blue surface and ship-like equipment.
The total cost for the project is $6.6 million, according to Haro.
This photo shows Doris Heritage Park’s playground before its grand opening. This sea-like playground has a slide, jungle gym and tunnels.
Doris Heritage, 82, is a Gig Harbor-area native who was a two-time Olympic runner and the first female International Cross Country champion, an event that she won five times. She’s also known for being the first woman to run five a sub-5 minute mile. She went to Peninsula High School.
She’s held various world and national records for women’s running and has been recognized in five national halls of fame, her husband, Ralph Heritage, said.
Doris’ love for running was fostered in the Gig Harbor area as a child, she said in an interview with The News Tribune on June 12.
“Being from Gig Harbor is special,” she said. “I was lucky to grow up in the outdoor environment.”
This photo shows Doris Heritage Park’s pickleball courts before its grand opening in Gig Harbor.
Doris found herself drawn to fitness, and she dedicated her time to coaching the next generation of athletes. She coached at Seattle Pacific University, where she got her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
When she received a call from Mayor Barber about the naming of the new park, she said she was taken aback by the honor.
“Anyone would be surprised,” she said. “I’m happy that (local kids will) have a nice park to play in. I know I didn’t.”
Doris Heritage standing in first place at the 1970 International Women’s Cross Country Championship in France. She was the first woman to win this competition.
There will be a free screening of “Last Lap” on Monday, a 2024 documentary about Doris’ journey. It won “Best Washington Made” film at the 2024 Gig Harbor Film Festival, according to her husband. The screening will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the Galaxy Theater in Gig Harbor. The movie can also be rented on Amazon Prime Video.