9 Thurston County parks and conservation projects get $7.1 million from WA state
Washington state has awarded more than $7.1 million for park improvements and conservation efforts in Thurston County.
The money will go toward nine projects located in Thurston County, the state Recreation and Conservation Office announced in a July 7 news release.
Office Director Meagan Duffy said the grants are critical to ensuring Washington remains a “premiere destination” for outdoor activities as well as a great place to live.
“These grants are key to building great communities,” Duffy said. “The grants help communities light ball fields, make parks accessible to people with disabilities, connect gaps in trail systems, refurbish pools and resurface pickleball courts.”
The money going to Thurston County projects is a small part of a greater whole. In all, the RCO Funding Board awarded more than $148 million in the form of 242 grants for projects in 35 of the state’s 39 counties. Though large, the total funding amount does not meet all requests the board received. In total, the board reviewed 411 applications which collectively requested more than $266 million in funding.
The projects that are being funded are intended to improve parks and trails, conserve wildlife habitat and maintain land for farming and forestry, according to the release.
“Washington is known for its great outdoor spaces and its legacy of farming and forestry,” Duffy said. “As Washington’s population grows, if we don’t conserve that land now, it won’t be there to continue those legacies.”
The RCO further justified this spending by pointing to a 2020 economic analysis of outdoor recreation in Washington state by Earth Economics, a charitable organization based in Tacoma.
Notably, that analysis determined outdoor recreation supports more than 6% of all jobs in the state.
“Recreation not only is important to Washington’s economy, but to the health of the people who recreate here,” Duffy said. “Countless studies have shown that spending time outside can improve a person’s physical and mental health, reduce stress and even improve eyesight.”
Duffy also pointed to the impact recreation spaces have on children.
“It also does so much for our kids, including helping them improve their social connections and school grades. These grants are important for ensuring there are great places to recreate across Washington.”
What’s being funded in Thurston County?
RAINIER VISTA PARK
The City of Lacey was awarded two grants. The first grant provides $500,000 to improve the 46-acre Rainier Vista Park at the corner of 45th Avenue Southeast and Parkside Drive.
The city plans to add four pickleball courts, two outdoor ping pong tables and safety netting on a softball field. Additionally, the city intends to remove and rebuild a 180-foot section of a walking path.
The city will provide $419,618 for the project, which includes $25,000 in donations from the Thurston County Pickleball Association and a $5,000 donation from the PARC Foundation of Thurston County, according to the RCO’s online project snapshot.
WILLIAM A. BUSH PARK
An award of $220,710 will go toward replacing the main playground at William A. Bush Park. This 9.8-acre park is between Yelm Highway and Chardonnay Road in Lacey.
The city is providing $110,710 for the project and the Gateway Rotary Club is providing $110,000, according to the project snapshot.
TENINO CITY PARK
The City of Tenino will use a $40,460 grant to build a half-court basketball court and a full pickleball court at Tenino City Park. The project snapshot indicates the city is providing $22,340 for this project.
VIOLET PRAIRIE WILDLIFE AREA
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was awarded $387,002 to restore 573 acres of glacial outwash prairie and oak woodland habitat in the Violet Prairie Wildlife Area which is part of the Scatter Creek watershed.
Violet Prairie is west of Tenino and across the street from Colvin Ranch. The land is home to threatened species, such as the Mazama pocket gopher and Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly.
GRANTS TO DNR
The Washington Department of Natural Resources got three grants for projects in Thurston County.
The largest grant provides $3.2 million to buy about 48 acres of nearshore, riparian and upland forest habitat in the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area which borders Henderson Inlet.
DNR also got $493,770 to continue to restore more than 13,000 acres of outwash prairie, grassland bald, oak woodland and wetland habitat at five conservation sites:
- Scatter Creek Wildlife Area
- Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve
- West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area
- Rocky Prairie Natural Area Preserve
- Bald Hill Natural Area Preserve.
DNR is working on this project with the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.
Lastly, DNR was awarded $237,500 to maintain 94 miles of off-road vehicle trail, one campground and two trailheads in Capitol State Forest. Specifically, the money will pay for an equipment operator and correctional crews to do this work.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission also got more than $1 million to replace a failing bridge and boardwalk at Millersylvania State Park. The bridge will be replaced with an accessible, 280-foot boardwalk.
