Mission

Our mission is to not only bring climbing to an urban area but to also provide underrepresented urban youth opportunities to reach new peaks through mountain related activities in the wilderness.

About

The Liz Rocks Foundation

Same people with a new mission

Shortly after Liz’s death in 2014, a group of her close friends partnered with Greater Metro Parks Foundation to raise funds for an out door climbing wall in her honor. In just two years the Liz Rocks Campaign raised $150,000!

In February 2018 The Liz Rocks Foundation was established to further honor Liz and provide opportunities for underrepresented youth to reach new peaks through scholarships and various partnerships.

As with many businesses and organizations the impacts of the 2020 COVID 19 pandemic set back construction of the Liz Rocks project, slated for Point Defiance Park, for the foreseeable future.

Around the same time in 2020, we learned that the Morgan Family YMCA in Tacoma was in the process of fundraising for their new facility to replace the old one. Included in the new YMCA is plans for a two story climbing wall that would introduce thousands of kids to climbing over the decades to come. 

Our goal for Liz Rocks has always been to celebrate Liz’s spirit and legacy of adventure, and to share it with others. After meeting with the YMCA and learning more about their need for funds to support their climbing wall, we are excited to announce our partnership with the new YMCA facility. What excites us most is the number of kids who will be served through ongoing programming and introduced to rock climbing with Liz as their guide. 

Metro Parks Tacoma fully supports the decision to build Liz Rocks at the YMCA and agrees that this is perhaps the most direct path to getting Liz Rocks built in the near term.