Nostalgic Never Never Land sculptures available for auction
In 1963, families in Tacoma could wander through Never Never Land at Point Defiance Park, strolling through scenes of nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Unique sculptures made of stucco graced the park, including a smiling Humpty Dumpty and a terrifying witch from Hansel and Gretel.
Growing up with Never Never Land
In its early years, the attraction drew crowds of visitors — more than 90,000 visitors visited in the first year alone! Many locals have fond memories of visiting the park as a child or with their children. Canadian native Alfred “Al” Pettersen created the idea around Never Never Land and debuted the attraction on July 4, 1964, at Point Defiance on leased land, after first opening Wooded Wonderland at Beaver Lake Park in Victoria, B.C., two years earlier.
Closing of a local icon
After a little over 20 years of operation, the attraction no longer began to draw crowds and Never Never Land Inc. sold the attraction to Metro Parks. Although Metro Parks attempted to continue operating the attracting, it closed due to repeated vandalism and sculptures decaying in the damp forest. In 2001, the sculptures were packed away and placed into storage. About a decade later, an arsonist set fire to their storage room. Sadly, Metro Parks lost about half of the stored sculptures in the fire.
Nostalgic sculptures for auction
The remaining sculptures are now available for auction through our Surplus store. Those who remember the attraction will love browsing through the sentimental pieces including Kitten with Mittens and the Three Little Pigs. Proceeds from the auction will go to support Metro Park’s public art and historic assets. The auctions end September 22.
