Thurston County has received over $7.1 million from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) to support nine local park and conservation projects.
According to an article by The Olympian, this funding is part of a broader $148 million investment distributed through 242 grants across 35 of Washington’s 39 counties.
Though substantial, the total available funding fell short of meeting demand, with 411 applications requesting over $266 million.
In Lacey, Rainier Vista Park will see major upgrades thanks to a $500,000 grant. Planned improvements include four new pickleball courts, two outdoor ping pong tables, safety netting for a softball field, and the reconstruction of a 180-foot section of a walking path.
The City of Lacey is contributing $419,618 to the project, supported by $25,000 from the Thurston County Pickleball Association and $5,000 from the PARC Foundation.
Another Lacey park, William A. Bush Park, will receive $220,710 to replace its main playground. The City of Lacey will provide $110,710, matched by a $110,000 contribution from the Gateway Rotary Club.
The City of Tenino has been awarded $40,460 to build a half-court basketball court and a full pickleball court at Tenino City Park. The city will add $22,340 in matching funds.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has secured $387,002 to restore 573 acres of glacial outwash prairie and oak woodland at the Violet Prairie Wildlife Area.
Located west of Tenino and across from Colvin Ranch, the area is home to threatened species such as the Mazama pocket gopher and Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received three separate grants for projects in Thurston County.
The largest, $3.2 million, will help purchase 48 acres of critical habitat in the Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area.
DNR also received $493,770 to continue restoring more than 13,000 acres across five key conservation sites, in partnership with the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Another $237,500 will fund maintenance of 94 miles of off-road vehicle trails, a campground, and two trailheads in Capitol State Forest, covering staffing and correctional crew costs.
Millersylvania State Park will benefit from more than $1 million granted to the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to replace a deteriorating bridge and boardwalk. The new 280-foot boardwalk will be fully accessible.
This substantial investment underscores the critical role of parks and conservation areas in Washington’s outdoor recreation economy, which supports over 6% of the state’s jobs.
As population growth pressures land use, protecting and enhancing access to recreational spaces is vital not only for environmental preservation but also for public health and community well-being.