Depending on funding availability, La Center residents can look forward to expanded park facilities and an enhanced trail network in the next five years.
Proposed improvements to recreational amenities, including parks and trails, will cost $7.7 million. Accounting for inflation, the total cost of all projects may exceed $9.4 million.
The proposed park plan are a required part of the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) for the city to remain eligible for park grant funds.
Community Development and Public Works Director Tracy Coleman explained at the last City Council meeting, that the new plan outlines La Center’s goals to accommodate current and future residents. The plan is an outline, contingent on available grants, and is not final.
“Parks, trails and recreation are one of the primary elements that make La Center desirable,” Coleman said. “The city prides itself on having a great network of well-maintained parks, trails and recreational facilities.”
Park Amenities
La Center is set to enhance five of its parks with additional amenities and improved maintenance over the coming years, contingent upon the availability of grant funds.
Sternwheeler Park will receive maintenance for its creek, including removal of invasive plants and their replacement with native species. New trail connections will be installed in the southwest part of the park to improve local connectivity. Additionally, new benches and picnic tables will be added. These enhancements are estimated to cost $155,200, accounting for inflation, and are projected for completion between 2024 and 2025.
Riverside Park is slated to receive a permanent restroom building and a small shade structure to provide relief from the heat. The park will also benefit from a natural surface trail system and wetland signage. The projected cost for these improvements is approximately $277,200, with a timeline extending from 2026 to 2027.
Heritage Park will have its sidewalks and plaza pavement repaired as well as restroom maintenance. Native plants will be added for shade, and the playground will be replaced. These updates, expected between 2024 and 2026, are projected to cost $262,900, considering inflation.
Elmer Soehl Park may receive updates to ensure ADA accessibility and new playground equipment, including swings. The playground updates are expected in 2025, with additional furnishings planned for 2029. The estimated cost for these enhancements is $316,900.
Holley Park, one of La Center’s busiest parks, will undergo maintenance updates for its skate park, ballfields and basketball court. Upgrades and additional exercise stations are also planned. The playground will be replaced with ADA-accessible equipment for youth, costing an estimated $500,000. By 2025, the cost is expected to increase by $46,000. Overall, the proposed projects for Holley Park are estimated to cost $877,400, with a timeline from 2024 to 2027.
City staff members including Coleman hope to secure a grant for these facilities. Coleman expects that park impact fees will cover half of the cost to replace Holley Park’s frequently-used playground.
“The play structure in Holley Park is 29 years old and parts are no longer available to replace damaged components. The playground also does not have ADA-accessible features and needs to be expanded to meet the needs of the growing city,” Coleman said.
Trails
A trail connecting Sternwheeler Park to Holley Park is planned for 2025, pending grant availability. The trail will connect to the existing John Polluck Water Trail Park, located between the two parks in central La Center. This trail will allow residents to move from one park to the other without using the sidewalks north of the area. John Polluck Water Trail Park is also slated to receive $390,500 upgrades, including a new floating dock. The new connection will cost $819,000 to install by 2025.
Additionally, the city plans to connect La Center Bottoms, a 1.5-mile trail bordering East Fork Lewis River, to Holley Park around 2026, further enhancing trail connectivity. This connection should cost just under $200,000 by 2026. Coleman noted that connecting La Center’s trails was a high priority for residents involved in public surveys.
The City of La Center also plans to adopt a “multi-modal plan” as part of its comprehensive update required by the GMA. The plan will outline the city’s desired projects to connect future and existing pedestrian and cycling routes, sidewalks and bus routes, and will consider trails. This plan will be adopted by 2025.
To support the updated plan, La Center will update its park impact fees for the first time in 10 years. Developers will now be charged a one-time fee of $4,115 per residential unit, up from the previous $2,842. Coleman explained that the funds would be collected and used to expand the city’s park and trail inventory.
To accommodate future growth, the City of La Center will also purchase 18 to 25 acres for future parklands within city limits, contingent on available funds. Estimates range from $2.4 million to $2.8 million depending on inflation.
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