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Parks and recreation in Centralia, Washington

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Parks and recreation in Centralia, Washington is administered by the Centralia Parks and Recreation Department (CPRD). The agency oversees a variety of sites, including natural areas, community recreation facilities, and city parks, classified as either neighborhood or community. The department also oversees several single-purpose sites in the city and partners with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) on maintenance and improvements to several areas, including Hayes and Plummer lakes. Centralia hosts privately owned parks and there are some trails under volunteer oversight.

History

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Centralia's first organized park and recreation plan began in 1963 and the agency has had plans to create a trail corridor system to link the parks in the community.[1] In 2024, the city incorporated a program known as the Hub City Greenway initiative, a plan to connect neighborhood paths and nature trails already existing in Centralia to each other, linking the system with parks, schools, and other districts and important sites within the community. The project is backed by a technical assistance grant from the Thriving Communities Program via the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Centralia was one of 52 communities in the United States to receive the grant.[2]

As of 2024, Centralia Parks and Recreation Department had an operating budget of $2.5 million, and employed 161 people.[1]: 11 [3]

Parks

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Neighborhood parks

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Centralia classifies most parks under 10 acres (4.0 ha), and within residential areas, as a neighborhood park.[1]: 23 

Name Image Established Location Size Description
Brick Wagner Park 1929 Plummer Lake - 317 Tilley Drive 0.28 acres (0.11 ha) A small park, expanded twice in 1934 and 1974, that provides boating and fishing access to Plummer Lake.[4][5][3]: 27 
Cedar Street Park 1969 Centralia College - 310 S. Cedar Street 0.83 acres (0.34 ha) Located in a neighborhood next to the college, it contains courts, playgrounds, and open grass areas. The grounds were replanted with shade trees in 2009.[6] The city traded the parcel to the college in 2017 in exchange for tennis courts. As part of the trade, the park must remain unchanged until 2027 and the college will have total control of the grounds in 2037.[7][1]: 23, 36 
Central Park 1970 Downtown District - 215 North Tower Ave 0.03 acres (0.012 ha) Once the site of a condemned office building, it became a city park when it was acquired and the site renovated.[8] The Centralia Downtown Association took over the responsibilities of the area in 2016.[9][3]: 27–28 
Gold Street Tennis Courts 2017 Downtown District - 270 S Gold Street 0.69 acres (0.28 ha) An agreed exchanged with Centralia College for Cedar Park, the area was converted into a mixed-use site, especially for tennis and pickleball.[10][3]: 28 
Logan Park 1994 Edison District - 1411 Logan Street 1.91 acres (0.77 ha) A neighborhood park, originally known as Logan Community Park, is owned by the school district. It is leased to the city and contains ball courts, a playground, and picnic amenities.[3]: 30 [11][12]
Veteran's Memorial Community Park 2024 Downtown District - 505 N Pearl St 0.91 acres (0.37 ha) Once the home of the 1950s Veterans Memorial Pearl Street Pool, shuttered in 2011 and filled in 2023, the new park is planned to encompass the existing Pearl Street Memorial Plaza, which includes the Splash Pad, as well as additions for sports and playground areas and other amenities.[13][14][1]: 29 

Community parks

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Centralia classifies most parks between 10 acres (4.0 ha) and 100 acres (40 ha) as a community park, provided that the area contains a variety of leisure activities, such as sports, hiking, or picnicking. The classification also includes grounds at Centralia Middle School, Centralia High School, and Centralia College, but not elementary school recreation areas. School park areas are not under oversight of the CPRD, but in a cooperative partnership with the education systems to help expand or maintain the land, especially if the school grounds are adjacent to a city park.[1]: 23–24 

Name Image Established Location Size Description
Fort Borst Park 1900 West District - 2020 Borst Avenue 121.0 acres (49.0 ha) The multi-use park contains sports fields, picnic areas, trails, access to water features, and historic buildings.[15][1]: 24  The grounds also hosts the Borst Park Dog Park.[16][17][3]: 31 
George Washington Park 1881 Downtown District - 110 S. Pearl Street 2.0 acres (0.81 ha) The park contains several memorials, with a sculpture bench of Centralia's founder, George Washington, plus an honorary plaque near the center of the grounds. The grounds are used for several events, contains a gazebo, and is home to the city library.[18][3]: 33  The park was created during the original platting of the city.[19]
Rotary-Riverside Park 1983 Shopping District - 313 Lowe Street 14.05 acres (5.69 ha) The grounds were once owned and maintained by the local Rotary Club. The park contains ballfields, playground and picnic amenities, and provides access to the Skookumchuck River. It is also home to the Fuller's Twin City Skate Park and a nine-hole disc golf course.[20][21][22][3]: 34 

Natural areas and open space corridors

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The classification covers areas in a more natural setting, with recreational activities geared toward hiking or exploration.[1]: 25 [a]

Name Image Established Location Size Description
Agnew Mill Pond (China Creek) Park 2013 China Creek - 1001 N Gold Street 28.22 acres (11.42 ha) (Agnew) 22.48 acres (9.10 ha) (China Creek) Undeveloped riparian wetlands, the Agnew parcel was donated anonymously to the city. The combined grounds are used as part of a flood control measure in association with the China Creek Flood Project.[23][24][3]: 35 
Bridge Street Park Hayes Lake - 123 W. Bridge Street 2.7 acres (1.1 ha) An undeveloped waterfront park, visitors can access Hayes Lake.[3]: 36  The area contains various species of ducks and other birds, including bald eagles and cormorants.[25][26]
Ed S. Mayes Landscape Bed 1910 Edison District - 1219 W. 1st Street 0.03 acres (0.012 ha) Located at the original gateway to the city near the Skookumchuck River, the landscaped area is planted with rhododendrons.[27][3]: 37 
Gold Street Overpass 1968 South Centralia - Gold Street and Kresky Avenue Overpass 1.23 acres (0.50 ha) An open space and natural area, with a dog park added in 2023, it surrounds an overpass from the southern entrance from SR 507 into downtown.[28][3]: 37 
Plummer Lake Boat Launch 1995 Plummer Lake - 1520 Lewis Street 0.4 acres (0.16 ha) Situated on state land overseen by the WDFW, the area provides another point of non-motorized boat access to the lake.[29][3]: 43 
Prairie Estates Park Coffee Creek District - 525 W. Prairie Rose Street 2.2 acres (0.89 ha) Undeveloped wetland area.[30]
Seminary Hill Natural Area 1960s East Centralia - 902 E. Locust Street 82.6 acres (33.4 ha) Once the location of a seminary, the park, consisting of two parcels, contains over 2.0 miles (3.2 km) of trails through mixed forest.[31][32][3]: 40 
Washington Street Park Downtown District - Washington Street at Park Street 0.06 acres (0.024 ha) An open area believed to be the location of the original home of Centralia's founder, George Washington.[33][3]: 41 
Wilbur Parkins Park 1972 Skookumchuck River at Meridian Avenue 6.13 acres (2.48 ha) Expanded in 1990, it was once known as Crescent Park. Used mostly for fishing, the area underwent a 2005 wetland restoration that removed invasive species.[34][3]: 42 
Woodland Park 3.31 acres (1.34 ha) Located in a flood zone, the parcel is required to remain as an open space.[3]: 42 
  1. ^ Additional areas include an annex at Fort Borst Park, the Grand Property, city oversight of Plummer Lake, the Sunrise Estates Open Area, and cooperative management of Hayes Lake with the WDFW.[3]: 22 

Private parks

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Name Image Established Location Size Description
Floral Park Sustainability Project 2024[a] Lewis County Transfer Station - 103 East Floral St A sustainability demonstration park project under the Washington State University-Lewis County Master Recycler Composter program, volunteers oversee the reduction and reuse of potential biologic and landfill waste. The site provides a tool library.[36][35]
Hubbub Pocket Sculpture Park[b] 2011 Downtown District - 501 N Tower Ave A privately owned space in a parking lot, the park contains sculptures primarily created by local artists.[38][39] The largest artwork, Shatkona, used to reside at the Monarch Contemporary Art Center and Sculpture Park.[40]
  1. ^ A grand opening of Floral Park was held in July 2024 but an official start date is not known.[35]
  2. ^ Hubbub Park has had various names since its inception, including Hub City Art Park.[37]

Recreation areas

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Name Image Established Location Size Description
Bob Peters Field 2023 Centralia Community College campus 4.0 acres (1.6 ha) Named after a long-serving athletic director at the school, the complex contains fields for baseball, soccer, and softball.[41]
Centralia Community Pool 1970s West District - 910 Johnson Rd Indoor facility Ultimately replacing the Veteran's Memorial Pearl Street Pool, the facility is run under a joint contract between the city, the school district, and a local fitness company. First priority for usage is given to children and school-related activities.[42]
Pearl Street Memorial Plaza (Splash Pad) 2017 Downtown District - 539 N. Pearl Street 0.91 acres (0.37 ha) A spray park built as a remembrance to those who served in the military.[14]

Special facilities

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Under the CPRD, several buildings or locations are considered a special facility. Classified as a single-purpose location, this includes such sites as the Armory Hills Golf Course, the Centralia Train Depot, the First Street trees, and the Sticklin Greenwood Cemetery and Washington Lawn Cemetery.[1]: 26  The classification also includes historical buildings and sites within Fort Borst Park.[3]: 23, 44–47 

Trails

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Several parks and natural areas contain hiking trails of various surfaces and difficulty.[1]: 25–26,  

The largest trail that is not connected to a park is the Discovery Trail, a level 1.5-mile (2.4 km) path that traverses through restored riparian habitat that parallels the Chehalis River. Opened in 2006, it is located north of Centralia in Ford's Prairie.[43] Volunteer efforts that includes local student involvement, have replanted the area since the path's early beginnings, and the repaired ecosystem is home to a variety of wildlife, including beaver, deer, and eagles.[44] The trail is overseen by the city and is part of a habitat conservation easement owned by the Chehalis River Basin Land Trust.[45]

Future plans

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The parks system has long been planned to be linked by a trail corridor, allowing residents and visitors access to a variety of recreation opportunities.[3]: 59–65 [46] Expansion of existing parks, including upgrades, have taken precedence in the 21st century, including emphasis on retaining or reinvigorating historically important concerns with the park system.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Centralia Parks and Recreation Master Plan". City of Centralia. June 10, 2014. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  2. ^ Sexton, Owen (September 20, 2024). "Centralia city staff prepare to start Hub City Greenways project". The Chronicle. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Centralia's Park Plan". Centralia Parks and Recreation Department. March 2024. p. 10. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024. PDF combined with city board meeting agenda and minutes; scroll down to Park Plan
  4. ^ Mason, Kimberly (August 30, 2011). "'One Day' at Brick Wagner Park Shows How We Can Help Our Community Thrive - and Have a Great Time, Too". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  5. ^ "Brick Wagner Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  6. ^ Stewart, Victoria (April 17, 2009). "Wouldn't Life be Better With a Tree?". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  7. ^ The Chronicle staff (March 30, 2017). "City of Centralia, College Exchange Properties After Council Approval". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  8. ^ "Central Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  9. ^ Brown, Alex (May 22, 2018). "Downtown Donors Pledge to Give Centralia's Central Park More Care". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Perednia, Graham (June 15, 2017). "Centralia Council Approves Plans for Park at Gold Street Property". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  11. ^ "Logan Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  12. ^ "Trying out the equipment". The Chronicle. August 29, 1994. p. 2. Retrieved April 29, 2024. Photo caption
  13. ^ Sexton, Owen (January 26, 2024). "City of Centralia planning to convert closed pool into Veterans Memorial Community Park". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Pearl Street Memorial Plaza (Splash Pad)". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  15. ^ "Fort Borst Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  16. ^ Warn, Daniel (February 9, 2022). "Centralia Considers New Dog Park, Applies for Grant From State". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  17. ^ "Borst Park Dog Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  18. ^ Jenks, Jayson (October 19, 2017). "As Confederate statues fall, this Washington town is creating a monument to its black founder". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  19. ^ "George Washington Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  20. ^ The Chronicle staff (May 8, 2023). "Riverside Park Playground Now Covered Thanks to Rotary Club". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  21. ^ Sexton, Owen (June 30, 2023). "Kraken Board Shop Expands, New Disc Golf Course Opens at Rotary Riverside Park in Centralia". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  22. ^ "Fuller's Twin City Skate Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  23. ^ Spurr, Kyle (December 5, 2013). "Centralia Plans for China Creek Flood Protection Project". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  24. ^ "Agnew Mill Pond (China Creek) Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  25. ^ Mason, Kimberly (February 22, 2011). "The Bird Word: Stop for a Dilly Bar and a Bit O'Birding". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  26. ^ "Bridge Street Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  27. ^ "Ed S. Mayes Landscape Bed". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  28. ^ "Gold Street Overpass". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  29. ^ "Plummer Lake Boat Launch". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on April 17, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  30. ^ "Prairie Estates Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  31. ^ The Seattle Times staff (September 28, 2006). "Seminary Hill Natural Area". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  32. ^ Holten, Kate (July 18, 2019). "Tranquil trail a short drive from downtown Centralia". The Daily News (Longview, Washington). Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  33. ^ "Washington Street Park". City of Centralia. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  34. ^ Stanton, Carrina (May 26, 2005). "Park to get enhancement from developer". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  35. ^ a b The Chronicle staff (June 14, 2024). "New tool library set to open in Centralia next month". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  36. ^ "Floral Park Sustainability Project". Washington State University. Retrieved July 25, 2024.
  37. ^ The Chronicle staff (August 27, 2015). "Literacy Council of Lewis County to Host Story Time for Kids at Hub City Art Park". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  38. ^ Hughes, Lee (September 21, 2011). "Sculpture in Centralia - Business Owner Hopes Pocket Park Will Fuel Local Trend of Art in the City". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 29, 2024. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  39. ^ The Chronicle staff (October 1, 2011). "Win-Win: Improving The Hub City's Downtown Core While Protecting Streams". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  40. ^ Hughes, Lee (October 1, 2011). "Local Art Finds Its Way Home". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  41. ^ Nance, Jesse (May 23, 2023). "Centralia College Honors Campus Stalwart With Bob Peters Field". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 9, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  42. ^ Zylstra, Matthew (May 10, 2023). "Centralia Community Pool Supporters Meet to Discuss How to Advocate Amid Possible Cuts After School Levy Failure". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  43. ^ Rubin, Will (October 30, 2018). "Residents Fed Up With Trouble at Discovery Trail". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  44. ^ "KIRO 7's Cox Conserves Heroes 2017". KIRO 7 News. October 3, 2017. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  45. ^ Trent, Eric (September 9, 2020). "Invasive Plant Removal Planned at Discovery Trail Saturday". The Chronicle. Archived from the original on April 19, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
  46. ^ "Paving/Reconstruction, Sidewalks/Parking Lot, Site Development Construction Project Lead, Centralia". ConstructionJournal. June 6, 2023. Archived from the original on April 22, 2024. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
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