Sunday, November 9, 2025
.jpeg)
The Community Livability and Public Safety Committee (CLPS) recommended naming three city properties after notable local figures, who made lasting contributions to the community.
The committee voted unanimously to rename Yelm Highway Community Park as Jolene Unsoeld Park, in honor of the former state representative and congresswoman known as a trailblazer for women in public service.
During the public comment segment of the committee’s meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, former state senator Karen Fraser, representing the Remembering Jolene Unsoeld Steering Committee, presented a letter with 78 endorsements supporting the name.
Fraser said Unsoeld was greatly appreciated by people from various sectors, including parks and recreation, environmental advocacy, education and public service. She described Unsoeld as an avid outdoor recreationist, who exemplified the highest standards of public service.
“Naming a park after Jolene would be a great step forward, saluting a woman who carved important paths forward for women leaders of today,”said Fraser, noting few parks in Olympia are named after women.
The committee also supported renaming the Olympia Armory as the Daley Arts Center in recognition of former Mayor William Daley, who was instrumental in transforming Olympia’s downtown and city government.
Community members praised Daley’s vision for city development, and his contributions to arts and urban planning.
Former Olympia Mayor Holly Gadbaw highlighted Daley’s critical role in Olympia’s development, noting his influence in adopting the council-manager form of government and expanding council representation.
“Before, there were only white men on the council,” Gadbaw said. “Now we have a great range of diversity.”
She also credited Daley with helping establish key buildings and areas, including Percival Landing, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Olympia Center and Farmers Market, which she called the “bones” of a viable city.
In addition, the committee recommended renaming Kaiser Woods Park as Marj Yung Park, honoring Marj Yung, the first woman elected as a Thurston County commissioner.
The city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee had initially recommended the name Elk Ridge Trails Park to recognize the nearby elk herd in the Delphi area.
However, after hearing public testimony, the committee favored honoring Yung for her contributions as a community activist and environmentalist, who documented the native plants of the Ken Lake area, where she lived.
“I believe it is important to name public spaces after people who are important to Olympia’s history,” Gadbaw said.
Olympia resident Kathy McCormick added that honoring Unsoeld, Daley and Yung recognizes “critical moments in Olympia’s history” and that “their stories should continue to be told.”
Mayor Dontae Payne, also a member of the committee, suggested giving more consideration to an alternative name for Kaiser Woods Park, such as Marj Yung.
Looking to the future, Payne raised the possibility of honoring Cora Pinson, the first African American to serve on the Olympia City Council. His suggestion came after public comments highlighted the need for more public spaces named after women leaders.
The committee members approved the renaming of the parks and arts facility. The recommendations will now move to the full city council for final approval.
According to Laura Keehan, Parks Planning and Design Manager, all three facilities are currently in the city’s development pipeline and are expected to open within the next one to two years, with official names in place.
The Olympia Armory (Daley Arts Center), a three-story, 43,000-square-foot facility, is envisioned as a creative hub and catalyst for arts and culture in the city.
Yelm Highway Community Park (Jolene Unsoeld Community Park) would be Olympia’s first new park developed since Yauger Park in the 1980s. The 83-acre site calls for the city’s first dedicated soccer fields, 13 pickleball courts, a mini-pitch, a large playground, a great lawn, two basketball courts, an off-leash dog area and walking paths. Groundbreaking for Phase 1 is expected in spring 2026, with construction taking about a year.
Kaiser Woods Park (Marj Yung Park), a 70-acre forested park located in Southwest Olympia, features informal hiking and mountain biking trails. The proposed design includes 5 miles of hiking and biking trails with routes suitable for beginner to advanced users.
9 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
lgrotsky
So happy to hear about these 3 parks and that the CLPS chose to name them after past local leaders who contributed so much. Well done!
Friday, October 17 Report this
Annierae
The City spent a good sum of money on a token public survey which requested naming ideas, then promptly ignored the results in favor of an idea from one of their chrony's. I can't say it isn't predictable.
Friday, October 17 Report this
Faithkeh
Where is Thurston County/Olympia's ,much needed aquatic center /swimming pool in these yet-to-be-developed parklands? That's the athletic facility that is most needed in our community!
Friday, October 17 Report this
HappyOlympian
We need to name a park and build a big statue for our current mayor, we can call it "I know what is best for you Gardens".
Friday, October 17 Report this
Snevets
@Annierae Thank you! It seems the one thing common in this "community" is the cronyism. So many ideas other than "generous, giving" people...
Friday, October 17 Report this
wolfmanner
More BS . Vote them all out.
Friday, October 17 Report this
LightningJolt
I gotta say, no tennis courts? No tennis courts is why I created this account. I have never heard of Jolt News, I am 40 yr old lifelong resident of Olympia and I am deeply upset. We have courts at North Thurston Highschool and Steven's Field in Olympia, but that is not a lot.
Friday, October 17 Report this
LaceyQueen
Very encouraging! Good progress.
Saturday, October 18 Report this
Oxidania
So the Olympian recently reported that the park was going to be Elk Ridge and then JOLT reports that the park is going to be Marj Yung.. which is it? It's definitely not listed on the City's website anywhere that I can find.
Sunday, October 19 Report this