Saturday, October 3, 2026
Voters have a big decision to make about whether to provide ongoing funding for the maintenance, operations, and improvement of parks, trails, recreational facilities and programs in Lacey.
The City of Lacey is asking voters to create the Metropolitan Park District via the approval of a ballot measure in the Aug. 5 Primary Election.
The measure, known as Proposition 1, would create a “junior property-taxing district,” which is authorized under state of Washington law RCW 35.61. The Lacey City Council would serve as its governing body.
If approved, the tax rate would be set at $0.45 per $1,000 of assessed property value and would generate an estimated $5.9 million annually based on 2024 valuations.
At the maximum rate, a property assessed at $500,000 would amount to $225 a year, or $18.75 a month. A $350,000 property would amount to $157.50 annually, while a $750,000 property would come in at $337.50 a year.
According to Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation, the MPD would become a permanent funding source to maintain current facilities and finance future improvements.
To date, park operations rely mainly on the city’s general fund, supplemented by program fees, lodging tax and a share of sales tax for the Regional Athletic Complex.
The city’s park system spans more than 1,200 acres, with 59% undeveloped or partially developed. It includes 22 developed parks and four trails managed on an annual operating budget of about $10.4 million.
The proposal would strengthen current park revenue rather than replaces it. Projects without stable revenue often stay idle or stay locked in plans.
By statute, local tax rates have a combined cap of $5.90 per $1,000 of assessed value. If total tax rate climbs toward the $5.90 maximum, proration lowers them to meet the cap.
The MPD may increase its total tax rate by up to 1% annually under state law, excluding revenue from new construction. Individual property bills may rise or fall based on assessment changes and citywide valuation shifts.
The city advises property owners to use Thurston County’s “My Property Tax Distribution” tool for tax estimates.
According to Jen Burbidge, Director of Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation, the Metropolitan Park District revenue would target two priorities, namely new park features and expanded maintenance.
The 2023 Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation Comprehensive Plan listed numerous projects requested by the participants through more than 8,700 public comments.
Locals voiced a need for spray parks, longer trail connections, additional sports fields and family-oriented amenities. They also called for playground upgrades and expanded accessibility features.
Greg Cuoio Park is a focal point in the plan. Its first phase, now under construction, opens 139 acres of the 537-acre site with a playground, trails, a picnic shelter, a disc golf course and parking. Future phases propose additional trails, restrooms and a dog park.
Virgil S. Clarkson Senior Center ranks high for expansion and additional parking spaces to ease overcrowding and accommodate mobility needs.
Brooks Park, a 1.1-acre property off College Street, has no developed features beyond green space and gravel parking. The plan calls for adding a small playground and family area.
Long Lake Park, the city’s only outdoor swimming beach, needs beach slopes and shoreline stabilization to prevent erosion. The city also intends to open a recently acquired 1.8-acre waterfront for public access.
Rainier Vista Park improvements include four pickleball courts, a spray feature and outdoor table tennis. Meridian Park requires a master plan update to finalize design for a multipurpose sports field and other facilities.
Additional proposals name a spray park in south Lacey and a collaboration with North Thurston Public Schools to install an indoor play zone and water feature at Young Child and Family Center.
Meanwhile, Lacey maintenance reports also showed most labor hours in 2024 went to janitorial and park cleanup, as stated by Burbidge.
Budget strains have delayed significant repairs, including resurfacing of courts at Lakepointe Park and trail rehabilitation in Wonderwood Park.
Rainier Vista, Huntamer and Thornbury parks all face aging playgrounds. Rainier Vista stands out with equipment installed 21 years ago and now off warranty. Repairs now demand higher costs and rely on hard-to-source parts.
As the city’s most visited park, the Regional Athletic Complex delivers about $15 million in yearly economic benefit. All three playgrounds at the site have worn down and face full replacement.
If voters approve Proposition 1, the MPD begins collections in 2026. To get more information and park upgrade maps, log on to the Lacey's MPD information page.
2 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
BobJacobs
This additional parks funding measure is necessary because the general city taxing power authorized by the state is inadequate.
Many cities have discovered this, including Olympia and Tumwater which adopted Metropolitan Parks Districts several years ago.
Bob Jacobs
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Report this
mhjwilson
The people using the parks should be responsible for picking up after themselves. Maybe private groups such as the Scouts could arrange to set aside one day each week and do some of work related to trimming the grass and shrubs. I am sure the taxpayers would appreciate that and some new habits might be learned.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025 Report this