Lacey City Council approves $962,000 acquisition of Long Lake property
The city of Lacey will spend $962,000 to buy property adjacent to Long Lake Park, after the Lacey City Council voted unanimously Thursday to approve the purchase.
The nearly 2-acre forested parcel, which includes a house, is located between the city’s Long Lake Park and a nearby boat launch. The city plans to incorporate the parcel into the park.
“It will be an amazing addition to the park,” said Lacey Parks and Recreation Director Jen Burbidge at Thursday’s council meeting.
Burbidge said the city hired a consultant in 2019 to do a safety assessment of the park, but also asked them to look at the adjacent land in the event the city bought it.
Ideas that emerged from the assessment: expand the swimming area, create a dedicated fishing spot (fishing is not currently allowed at the park), offer watercraft rental, and add parking, Burbidge said.
The city has reached a purchase and sales agreement with the heirs of the former property owners, although the sale is still contingent on a feasibility determination to make sure the land is useful and beneficial to the city, City Attorney Dave Schneider said.
Residents at Thursday’s meeting spoke in favor of the acquisition, including Holmes Island resident John Woodford, who said he serves on the Long Lake Management District Steering Committee, a group that considers itself to be the stewards of the lake.
Although supportive of the purchase, he urged the city to pursue “total tree retention,” noting that the forested property is very much an asset to the ecological balance of the lake. He also said the city should apply “good sound environmental policy on that parcel.”
Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder called his vote in support of the purchase a “no brainer.” He then asked how soon the public can expect to use the property.
Burbidge couldn’t say, but she said there would be no access this summer.
The previous owners, the late James and Marcella Floyd, first granted the city the right of purchase in October 1983.
This story was originally published June 17, 2022 at 5:15 AM.
