City of Olympia Parks
Parks reflect our need for social gatherings and spaces for play. Olympia s system of parks offer a variety of scenic northwest landscapes and active recreation facilities. From trails to fountains, forests to skate courts, ballfields to public art, Olympia s park system is full of fun, beauty and diversity. Currently, the City of Olympia has over 700 acres of parkland consisting of neighborhood, community, open space and special use park facilities. We are always in the process of growing, acquiring more parkland for our community, and adding recreation amenities to better serve our citizens. Come explore Olympia s amazing community spaces! Neighborhood Parks Grassy fields for frisbee or a pick up game of touch football. Playgrounds for creating pirate ships and fairy castles. Picnic areas for dining al fresco. Your backyard--only bigger. Bigelow Park 1220 Bigelow Street NE Bigelow Park was named for one of Olympia s original pioneer families. Daniel Bigelow was the first territorial governor of Washington State. Tall trees and a view of the Capitol dome define this park. 1.9 acress Picnic Areas/Shelter Restrooms Playground Basketball Public Art Friendly Grove Park 2316 Friendly Grove Road NE One of Olympia s newest neighborhood parks, Friendly Grove Park is located in an area that was once home to strawberry fields and dairy cows. Existing giant sequoia and other trees have been enhanced with additional plantings. 14.5 acres Picnic Areas/Shelter Restrooms Playground Basketball Tennis Novice Skate Court Paved Loop Trail Public Art Harry Fain s Legion Park 2020 Eastside Street SE This quaint park, seemingly carved out of the forest, was the gift of Harry Fain, who donated the land to the City in 1933. 2.3 acres Picnic Area/Shelter Playground Nature Trails Decatur Woods Park 1015 Decatur Avenue SE Soon to be completed in 2003-04. 6.27 acres Picnic Areas Restrooms Playground Public Art
Community Parks Where a kid can hit their first home run. Where you go to enjoy big forests and scenic shorelines. Multi-use parks with ammenities for lifelong recreation. LBA Park 3333 Morse-Merryman Road SE Short for Little Baseball Association, Olympia s form of Little League, this park was built by the City in 1974, on land donated by the LBA. Six sports fields available for reservation. 22.61 acres Picnic Areas/Shelters Restrooms Playground Basketball Tennis Athletic Fields Running Track Summer Concession Stand Lions Park 800 Wilson Street SE Lions Park was dedicated in 1946 as a partnership between the Olympia Lions Service Club and the Eastside Neighborhood Association. It remains one of the City s most beloved neighborhood parks. 3.72 acres Picnic Areas/Shelter Restrooms Playground Basketball Tennis Horseshoe Pits Play Field Public Art Sunrise Park Bing & Bush Streets A meandering trail to the top of the park is worth the walk to take in the view of Mt. Rainier and the first morning light, which inspired the park s name. A paved trail loop makes this park a favorite with young bicycle riders. 5.74 acres Picnic Areas Playground Basketball Play Field Walking Trail Woodruff Park 1500 Harrison Avenue NW The first park in Olympia was named after Sam Woodruff, a printer and bookseller. Born in China in 1858, Woodruff was one of Olympia s first land developers and conveyed land for the park to the City in 1892 for $1. The site once featured Victorian flower beds and the old city watertower. 2.38 acres Picnic Areas Restrooms Basketball Tennis Sand Volleyball Court Priest Point Park 2600 East Bay Drive NE Originally the home of ancient Squaxin Island family villages, and later the mission of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the park became property of the City in 1905. It is the largest urban forest in the city. 1,000 feet of saltwater shoreline make this park a favorite getaway while serving as an important wildlife habitat. Popular site for weddings and family reunions. 312 acres Picnic Areas/Shelters Restrooms Playground Basketball Nature Trails Rose Garden Stevens Field 300 24 th Avenue SE Formerly part of the Olympia School District. In 1963, the District began leasing the site to the City of Olympia for general public use. Treed areas and trails border the sports fields. Adjacent to Lincoln Elementary School. 13 acres Picnic Areas Basketball Tennis Athletic Fields Yauger Park 3100 Capitol Mall Drive SW Developed in 1982 as a multi-function site, under the vision of retired United States Army Colonel Yauger. During seasonal rains, the park serves as a stormwater detention area. Four sports fields available for reservation. 39.77 acres Picnic Shelter Restrooms Playground Sports Fields Seasonal Concession Stand Horseshoe Pits Skate Court Nature Trail Jogging Path
Special Use Parks Community defining spaces. Scenic jewels to impress visitors and residents alike. Urban oases which enhance our quality of life. East Bay Waterfront 313 East Bay Drive NE Small waterfront park offers interpretive signs and views of East Bay. This location makes a nice rest stop for walkers and joggers. 1.86 acres Picnic Areas Waterfront Viewing Platform Heritage Park Fountain 330 5 th Avenue SW The original Heritage Park design for the area around Capitol Lake was developed by New York architects Walter Wilder and Henry White in 1911, never used, and then filed in obscurity until unearthed in 1985. The plan called for a large fountain on what is now City property. A generous gift to the City made construction possible, and the park was dedicated in 1996, to the delight of splashers of all ages. Exquisitely beautiful at night. 1.11 acres Picnic Areas Benches Views to Capitol Madison Scenic Park 1600 10 th Avenue SE A true civic partnership, this park represents efforts on behalf of the Olympia School District, City of Olympia and the Eastside Neighborhood Association. Park boasts sunset views of Olympia and the Capitol building with the Black Hills beyond. 2.21 acres Walking Paths Benches Picnic Areas Wildflowers Views of Olympia Percival Landing 217 Thurston Avenue NW Named after the old commercial steamship wharf operated by the Percival family, this boardwalk was built in phases with final completion in 1988. A popular place for strolling, the park is host to many summertime events and connects the 4 th Avenue Bridge with the Port Plaza and Viewing Tower near the Olympia Farmers Market. 3.38 acres Picnic Areas Restrooms/Showers Playground Public Art Overnight Boat Moorage Yashiro Japanese Garden 1010 Plum Street SE Featuring traditional Japanese stone sculpture and garden design. This garden was designed by Robert Murase and built with the help of 75 volunteers in a partnership between the Olympia- Yashiro Sister City Association and the City of Olympia..74 acres Paths Pond Waterfall Benches
Open Space Protecting our natural heritage. Commitment to preserving wild spaces and wildlife within our community. A promise to leave something for our children s children. Bigelow Springs Quince Street & Bigelow Avenue A field of naturalized daffodils, planted by the Volunteers in Parks Program, make this park a gem in the spring. Volunteers from the Sierra Club and other organization are helping to restore the springs and native vegetation. Site was originally part of historical Bigelow home property. 1.3 acres Natural Spring Garfield Nature Trail 600 Rogers Street NW Scenic trail through forested ravine connects West Bay Drive and Westside neighborhoods. Seasonal creek attracts wildlife and adds to vegetation diversity and public enjoyment. Neighbors and other community volunteers are currently working on extensive habitat enhancements. 7.41 acres Nature Trail Trillium Park 500 Governor Stevens Avenue NE This forested ravine was protected through the efforts of the Governor Stevens Neighborhood Association and the generosity of landowners. In the spring, Pacific Chorus Frogs chime from the wetland pond bordering the park. Provides neighborhood trail connection between Eskridge Street and Governor Stevens Avenue. 4.53 acres Nature Trail Watershed Park 2500 Henderson Boulevard SE Source of the City s drinking water from the late 1800 s until the 1950 s, the area was slated to be logged and sold in 1955. Citizens were so overwhelmingly opposed, they appealed to the Supreme Court to preserve the area. Their efforts resulted in an ordinance that protects this beautiful area that includes twentyeight springs, Moxlie Creek and a fascinating mature, temperate rain forest. 153 acres Nature Trail Wildlife Area Picnic Shelter Reservations While most picnic shelters in Olympia parks are available on a first come, first served basis, three parks make shelters available by reservation. LBA Park, Priest Point Park and Yauger Park offer covered shelters with water, electricity and barbecues or wood stoves. Sizes vary from location to location. For more information or to reserve a shelter, please call Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation at (360) 753-8380. Sports Field Reservations Athletic fields at LBA Park, Yauger Park and Stevens Field can be reserved through Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation. Seasonal field allocations take place in January of the scheduled year. Tournament bookings are accepted in the fall of the preceding year. Please call (360) 753-8380 for booking information or an allocation packet. Equipment Rental A party pack including outdoor volleyball net, boundary ropes, volleyball, horseshoes & croquet is available by request. Fees are $8.00 / weekend and $5.00 / day. Call (360) 753-8380 for reservations. General Park Rules Olympia parks are open dawn to dusk Bicycling prohibited on trails and cross-country Camping, alcohol, firearms prohibited Dogs and other pets must be on leash. Please clean up and properly dispose of pet waste.
Location Map 1) Priest Point Park 2) Friendly Grove Park 3) Bigelow Springs 4) Bigelow Park 5) East Bay Waterfront 6) Percival Landing 7) Heritage Park Fountain 8) Woodruff Park 9) Garfield Nature Trail 10) Sunrise Park 11) Yauger Park 12) Decatur Woods Park 13) Yashiro Japanese Garden 14) Madison Scenic Park 15) Lion s Park 16) Stevens Field 17) Harry Fain s Legion Park 18) Watershed Park 19) Trillium Park 20) LBA Park Mud Bay Rd. 11 10 Division St. 8 West Bay Dr. 9 6 7 East Bay Dr. 1 3 5 13 26th Ave. 2 4 State Ave. 4th Ave. 15 14 South Bay Dr. N Martin Way Pacific Ave. 12 Hwy 101 Cooper Point Rd. Capitol Way 16 17 18 I-5 Boulevard Rd. Parks I-5 19 Henderson Blvd. 20
Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation In an increasingly busy world, the Olympia PARKS, ARTS & RECREATION Department is dedicated to the continued well being of our community. Providing opportunities for lifelong learning and inspiration, physical achievement, family activites and spaces for quiet contemplation, our Department strives to offer enhanced quality of life experiences for every member of our community. Individually, and in partnership with civic and government organizations, the programs of the Olympia PARKS, ARTS & RECREATION Department reflects the needs of our citizens, building a strong foundation for the social, economic and environmental future of our community. For more information about Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation, please visit our website at www.ci.olympia.wa.us/par or call 360/753-8380. The City of Olympia is committed to the non-discriminatory treatment of all persons in employment and the delivery of goods and services. Photography: Carl Cook Design: Wide Design Team