$2.8 million in improvements approved for this popular Pierce County lakeside park

The city of Lakewood unanimously approved a motion authorizing $2.86 million for improvements to American Lake Park earlier this week.

Improvements expected to come to the popular 5-acre lakefront park include an accessible merry-go-round , a picnic shelter installation, concrete seat walls and trash bays. The park has a swimming beach, public boat launch, picnic tables, playground and year-round restroom.

Construction is expected to begin Sept. 3, and the park will remain open this summer, with most of the work completed by May 31, 2025, according to a memo submitted to the council by Mary Dodsworth, Parks, Recreation and Community Services director.

The Lakewood City Council approved a $2,859,952 contract with Barcott Construction Monday night.

Total project costs are expected to be $4,214,795, which will be offset by some grants Lakewood previously received to improve water access at the park, according to Dodsworth’s memo.