Thursday, October 29, 2026
The Olympia City Council approved a $17.7 million contract for the first phase of Jolene Unsoeld Community Park on Yelm Highway.
The city council backed a proposal from Active Construction Inc., whose low bid of $17,757,757 was approximately 26 percent below a staff estimate.
Work on the park, located at Yelm Highway and Wiggins Road, is expected to break ground later this year.
The project marks the first phase of improvements outlined in the park’s master plan, which the city council approved in 2022.
Phase 1 will feature a wide range of sports, play, and community amenities. Planned improvements include a rectangular synthetic turf field striped for soccer and lacrosse, a nearby mini-pitch and interactive play features.
The project also includes 13 pickleball courts, with one designed for accessible play, a playground, restrooms, a picnic shelter, two full-size basketball courts, a dog park and maintenance facility with office and shop space.
Infrastructure includes parking, utilities, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, a shared-use path, concrete improvement for a bus stop along Yelm Highway and electric vehicle charging stations, including charging infrastructure for park maintenance vehicles.
Although the construction contract totals $17.7 million, the city’s overall estimated project cost is $25.9 million.
That figure includes a 10 percent construction contingency, engineering and inspection, permitting, playground equipment, and the city’s 1 percent fee for an arts contribution.
A staff report states the city has $26.63 million in available project funding.
The project is funded with bond funds, park impact fees, Olympia Metropolitan Park District funds, State Enviromental Policy Act mitigation fees and utility tax revenue.
The project also received $2.85 million in grants from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office.
In addition, the Thurston County Pickleball Club pledged $12,000, the PARC Foundation pledged $5,000, and Sounders RAVE Foundation donated a soccer mini-pitch.
Construction is expected to take about 18 to 24 months.
In January, the city council approved the official naming of three public spaces to honor former civic leaders. As part of that action, Yelm Highway Community Park was renamed Jolene Unsoeld Community Park.
However, the project continues to be referred to as the Yelm Highway Community Park Phase One Construction project in construction documents
Melissa McFadden, Planning and Design Manager for the Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation Department, said staff is retaining the former project name for the time being because the project has already progressed through the design, construction and permitting processes.
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debpattin
This is great news. I think Jolene would be thrilled.
Thursday, October 8 Report this
jimLacey
I'm sure the namesakes for these projects were all great people who deserve recognition. But its time for politicians to stop naming things after other politicians. Who knows what will turn up regarding them in the future that will offend future sensitivities, which will require renaming them.
Friday, October 9 Report this
wellnow77
pretty sure the name is safe with Jolene - don't expect anything to turn up on that outstanding lady!
(And pretty sure she would approve of Spooner's Berry Farms continuing in their roadside spot!)
Friday, October 9 Report this
OLDME71
What a ridiculous amount of money. So many better uses for that kind of outlay.
Saturday, October 10 Report this
BillSpencer
Can we give the park an Indian name? Like Olympia did with Squaxin park, I'm sure Jolene Unsold was a cool person but honestly... yeah we should stop naming things after white politicians.
Saturday, October 10 Report this
CherylC
Too bad the city didn’t honor Spooners by naming the park something like Spooners Park, Berry Fields Park, or Strawberry Fields Park. That piece of land is known for the berry fields and the wonderful fruit we have purchased for YEARS!! As an Olympia native, I know the name Jolene Unsold, but couldn’t tell you anything about her - and I bet there are MANY more like me!
Sunday, October 11 Report this
TurdFerguson
I think, if possible, Jolene would have preferred to see the land go back to growing berries.
Saturday, October 17 Report this