Parks and trails updates in Thurston County

This list of curated articles highlights updates about parks and trails in Thurston County.

The City of Olympia purchased land from a resident for park development, partnering with a conservation organization to preserve mature native forests.

Meanwhile, Washington State awarded $7.1 million toward multiple Thurston County projects, supporting park improvements and conservation efforts.

In Lacey, voters rejected a parks district funding proposal, leading city officials to consider alternative financial strategies.

Burfoot County Park’s trail leads to 1,000 feet of shoreline on Budd Inlet. By Craig Hill

NO. 1: THIS THURSTON COUNTY PARK IS THE TOP SPOT FOR COLD PLUNGES IN WA STATE, NEW SURVEY FINDS

The park ranked 11th in the country in a survey of 3,105 cold-water enthusiasts. | Published March 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Martín Bilbao

A grounds operations specialist for Dept. of Enterprise Services for years Kailee Moulton has found caring for the gorgeous sunken Gardens on the Capitol campus in Olympia , Wa. A true labor of love. By Steve Bloom

NO. 2: ‘THERE’S NOTHING ELSE LIKE THIS’: TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAPITOL CAMPUS GARDENS IN FULL BLOOM

“There’s a lot of activity going on in here — bees, birds, people, animals — and it’s really quiet in here at dusk,” one garden expert said. | Published June 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office awarded $500,000 to the City of Lacey so it could improve Rainier Vista Park. The city plans to add four pickleball courts, two outdoor ping pong tables, safety netting on a softball field and rebuild a walking-path.

NO. 3: 9 THURSTON COUNTY PARKS AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS GET $7.1 MILLION FROM WA STATE

Money is going to Rainier Vista Park, Capitol State Forest, Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve and Millersylvania State Park, among others. | Published July 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Martín Bilbao

The City of Tumwater has plans to construct a roundabout on Old Highway 99 at 79th Avenue, and build out its largest public park parcel just down the road at the old Trails End horse riding arena. By Dusti Demarest

NO. 4: TUMWATER PLANS ROUNDABOUT, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK NEAR AIRPORT. WHEN WILL THAT HAPPEN?

The City of Tumwater has plans to construct a roundabout on Old Highway 99 and 79th Avenue, and build out its largest public park parcel just down the road at the site of the old Trails End horse riding arena. | Published September 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ty Vinson

Lacey City Council gathered Sept. 23 for a work session discussion, including about next steps after voters rejected the Metropolitan Park District. By rboone@theolympian.com

NO. 5: AN EFFORT TO FUND PARKS WAS REJECTED BY LACEY VOTERS. WHAT DOES THE CITY DO NOW?

Despite a major informational push by the city to educate voters about the need for additional funding to support parks, the proposal to create a parks district went down to defeat for a second time in the August primary. | Published September 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rolf Boone

A beautiful fall morning arrives at Millersylvania State Park near Olympia, Wa. on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. Visitors to any of the state parks may find a bit of a sticker shock after state lawmakers voted in a $15 increase during the 2025 legislative session and bumping the yearly fee from $30 to $45. By Steve Bloom

NO. 6: WA DISCOVER PASS PRICE TO INCREASE 50% OCT. 1. HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS RISING

Washington state Discover Pass prices are increasing on Wednesday, climbing from $30 to $45 per year. | Published October 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter

City of Olympia Parks Planning & Design Manager Laura Keehan walks a property parcel near Kaiser Road in west Olympia on Nov. 18 with now former owner Suzanne Long Paulsrude and Angela J. Bowen Conservancy Foundation representatives Doug Mac and Barbara Benson along with Olympian reporter Ty Vinson.The land is slated to become a future park property through a grant given by the foundation property owner sold the property, and the foundation gave a grant to the city for purchase. By Steve Bloom

NO. 7: OLYMPIA RESIDENT SELLS 10 ACRES TO CITY FOR FUTURE PARK, FOREST PRESERVATION

The City of Olympia has partnered with a local conservation organization to purchase a nearly 10-acre property of undeveloped land awash in mature, native trees to become a future public park. | Published November 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ty Vinson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.