Greg J. Cuoio Park Project
| Project Timeline | ||
| 2024 – 100% Design Completion | Early 2025 – Construction Begins | Early 2026 – Tentative Opening |
In April 2021, the City launched the Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways Master Plan development process. The project area, located between the Crossroads and Hawk’s Prairie neighborhoods just north of I-5, encompasses 537 acres of public open space, including Greg Cuoio Park, Pleasant Glade Park, and Palm Creek Headwaters.
This page is dedicated to the park development project. For construction project updates, visit the City’s Project webpage.
Overview
The project, known as Phase 1A, will include:
- A large playground
- Approximately two miles of paved and soft surface trails
- An 18-hole disc golf course
- Large picnic shelter
- Flexible open space
In addition, the project will include general access infrastructure such as safe access and a driveway from Carpenter Road, approximately 75 parking spaces, and signage.
Playground Area
The nature-themed playground has climbing, crawling, and sliding play features while remaining highly accessible with an entrance ramp and synthetic turf surfacing material. A large swing structure will accommodate various ages and abilities and includes a companion swing (the first of this type in Lacey Parks!).
Trails
The development of the park will include approximately two miles of trails meandering through the beautiful mature forest. The central core will include paved access, and the remainder of the trails on site will be gravel or dirt. Please see map for trail widths and surfacing materials.
Disc Golf
The disc golf course will be a gold-level 18-hole course. South Puget Sound Disc Golf Association (SPSDGA) members and other disc golf specialists provided input for the course design. SPSDGA will be partnering with the City for installation of the tees and baskets. In fact, temporary tees and baskets will be installed originally so that players can come test the course and provide input regarding permanent tee and basket placement.
Picnic Area
A large picnic shelter will accommodate 12 picnic tables and can be used for events and large gatherings. Informal gathering space is also available at several uncovered picnic tables and in the open grass areas.
Phase 1A of the project is estimated to cost $6,500,000. The City of Lacey received almost $1,000,000 in grant funding for the project. The grants were awarded from a state legislative appropriation of $515,000 (net amount was $499,550) and $500,000 from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program.
The Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways properties are approximately 537 acres of adjacent heavily forested and mostly undeveloped properties that contain sensitive habitat areas, wetlands, tributaries, and creeks. Carpenter Road NE bisects the properties.
From 2002-2012 the City acquired several properties to form the Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways. The park is named after Greg Cuoio in recognition of his 24 years of public service and contributions to the community as Lacey’s City Manager. He was instrumental in securing the purchase of these lands, which is now the City’s largest park.
In 2022, the City finalized the Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways Master Plan to provide a long-term vision for the community’s preferred activities. The vision is to provide open space preservation, water quality protection, and enhancement of the natural environment, balancing the natural environment with recreation opportunities to create a place for visitors and residents to experience and learn about the park. The master plan guides future development, with more detailed design and funding to follow in a phased approach.
As part of the master plan process, extensive public outreach was conducted, including three open houses, three online surveys, meetings with neighbors, direct communication with over 20 stakeholders, and presentations to the Lacey Parks, Culture and Recreation Board, and the Lacey City Council.