Print
E-Mail
tool name
closeImprovements to parks, trails in South Hill continue
Sherri Bails / community correspondent
This summer, an event and an agreement has meant the end of current improvements to one park and the beginning of them at another.
On Tuesday, June 24, at South Hill Park, a ceremony marked the announcement of improvements to the Nathan Chapman Memorial Trail and the installation of permanent restrooms. Carl Spencer, a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 585, completed his Eagle Scout requirement by creating and installing information signs and directional maps along the trail. He oversaw every detail of this project from identifying plant species, measuring trail segments and constructing the signs, to seeking donations and addressing problems as they arose.
The same ceremony included a ribbon-cutting, marking the completion of the park’s new restroom. The family style restroom will serve playground, park and trail users and completed the planned park improvements for the 40 acre park.
Since 1981, when the site at the corner of 144th Street East and 86th Avenue East was purchased from the Department of Natural Resources, community volunteers, along with the staff of Pierce County Parks and Pierce County Councilmember Calvin Goings devoted many hundreds of hours to its development. It seems right that the ceremony marking the last upgrade for the park should also honor a local volunteer.
On June 6, an agreement between The Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound and Pierce County Parks to lease areas of Meridian Habitat Park and Community Center was signed, said Paula Felkins of Pierce County Parks and Recreation Services. Starting July 1, and running for 25 years until June 30, 2033, the lease will enable the club to begin a five year campaign to raise funds for a 25,000 to 35,000 square foot facility to house a Boys and Girls Club, a senior center, and other community-orientated uses. If all goes according to plan, initial construction could begin in 2016.
Because the 36-acre park, located on the southwest corner of Meridian and 144th Street East, was purchased in 2005 with Conservation Futures Funds, Pierce County Parks has been working with the South Hill community to determine what uses would be compatible with the site. An initial “wish list” was created, which led to a series of three community meetings to determine final suggestions for the site. The Boys and Girls Club facility, represented by foundation president and campaign director Gary Yazwa, was given enthusiastic approval. Future proposals include trails, children’s play areas, grassy picnic areas, parking areas, space for an art festival/farmers’ market, and an outdoor amphitheater for concerts.
The park is now open to the public from dawn to dusk, according to Cara Cross, the recreation supervisor. There are ponds, large grassy areas, a fountain, picnic tables and portable restrooms; people can bring picnic supplies and spend the day. This park is a wonderful addition to South Hill’s growing list of recreational opportunities.