PARKS AND FACILITIES

Municipal Parks

Long Lake Park
2790 Carpenter Road (adjacent to Thurston County Fairgrounds)  map

Long Lake Park features one of the finest swimming beaches in Thurston County, as well as sand volleyball and picnic tables. The 285 feet of beach frontage stands in contrast to the ten heavily-wooded acres that provide an evergreen entrance to the park site. The upland area has picnic facilities and pedestrian trails through the woods.

 

 

 


LONG LAKE PARK SWIM AREA STATUS

 

February 20, 2021

Water conditions have improved and the beach has reopened.

January 20, 2021

The beach and swimming area at Long Lake Park are closed. 

Thurston County Health Department is in the process of testing the water to determine if algae toxins are present. 


October 13, 2020


Advisories Lifted at City of Lacey's Long Lake Swimming Beach
Water conditions have improved and the beach has reopened.


October 1, 2020

City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park Swimming Beach Remains Closed
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services’ (PHSS) latest test result confirmed the toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lacey’s Long Lake is below the health advisory limit.  PHHS has lifted the algae advisory for Long Lake.  However, Long Lake Swimming Beach will remain closed due to an algae surface "scum" that could be dangerous The swimming beach will re-open when conditions improve. 



September 18, 2020 Update
City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park Swimming Beach Remains Closed

Long Lake Under Toxic Blue-Green Algae Advisory Levels unsafe for humans and pets.  The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) department confirmed there is a toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lacey’s Long Lake, making it unsafe for swimmers and pets. The most recent sample detected microcystin algae toxin levels at 72 micrograms per liter of water—above the state standard of eight micrograms per liter for recreational water use. 



September 14, 2020 Update

City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park Swimming Beach Remains Closed
The beach and swimming area at Long Long Lake Park remain closed due to algae "scum" on the surface.  

September 3, 2020 Update

City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park Swimming Beach Remains Closed
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services’ (PHSS) latest test result confirmed the toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lacey’s Long Lake is below the health advisory limit; however, some closures and advisories remain in effect.  


Long Lake has been closed due to a health advisory for the algae toxin microcystins, a liver toxin.  The most recent sample found the toxin was below the advisory limit for the second week in a row, resulting in the toxic algae advisory being lifted by PHSS.


However, the City of Lacey’s Long Lake Park swimming beach will remain closed due to algae “scum” on the surface and poor water visibility that creates unsafe conditions for swimming at the park. Long Lake Park remains open to the public. The swimming beach will re-open when conditions improve. PHSS staff are working with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and local community associations to re-open access to the lake.


Additionally, PHSS recommends continued precautions because algae blooms can change at anytime.

• Avoid contact with water containing algae
• Keep pets and livestock out of the water
• Clean fish well and discard guts
• Do not drink water taken from the lake 

Algae blooms during the summer months are common and PHSS regularly tests surrounding lakes for the presence of algae and corresponding toxicity levels. You can learn more about toxic algae blooms and health risks on the Washington State Department of Health’s Blue-Green Algae website, or contact the Thurston County Health Department at 360-867-2626.


August 19, 2020 Update 

Long Lake Under Toxic Blue-Green Algae Advisory Levels unsafe for humans and pets

The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) department confirmed there is a toxic blue-green algae bloom in Lacey’s Long Lake, making it unsafe for swimmers and pets. The most recent sample detected microcystin algae toxin levels at 14 micrograms per liter of water—above the state standard of eight micrograms per liter for recreational water use. 


In response to these findings, the City of Lacey will keep the beach and swimming area of Long Lake closed until the Thurston County Health Department can confirm microcystin toxicity levels are below eight micrograms. Long Lake Park remains open to the public. PHSS staff are working with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and local community associations to close access to the lake and post advisory signs. Additionally, PHSS recommends extra precautions be taken to avoid the health risks posed by microcystin toxins.
• Stay out of the lake
• Avoid contact with water containing algae
• Keep pets and livestock out of the water
• When fishing, it is safest to catch-and-release any fish caught during a toxic algae bloom
• Do not Jet Ski, kayak, paddle board or boat on the water during a toxic algae bloom
• Do not drink water taken from the lake

Algae blooms during the summer months are common and PHSS regularly tests surrounding lakes for the presence of algae and corresponding toxicity levels. Long Lake will remain closed to swimmers until microsystin levels are below eight micrograms per liter. 


You can learn more about toxic algae blooms and health risks on the Washington State Department of Health’s Blue-Green Algae website, or contact the Thurston County Health Department at 360-867-2626.



August 13, 2020 Update- The beach and swimming area at Long Long Lake Park remain closed due to algae "scum" on the surface and poor water visibility.  


August 7, 2020 - The beach and swimming area at Long Lake Park are closed. A combination of algae "scum" viewed on the surface and poor water visibility indicate the possibility of a toxic blue-green algae bloom. 


Thurston County Health Department is in the process of testing the water to determine if algae toxins are present. They will continue testing water samples, weekly. The swim area will remain closed until a minimum of two results are under the advisory level of toxins for safe swimming. 

 
According to the Washington State Department of Health, a combination of warm temperatures, sunlight, and nutrient-rich waters can cause blue-green algae to reproduce rapidly, known as "blooming." Blue-green blooms usually float to the surface and can be several inches thick near the shoreline. Some blue-green algae can produce toxins or poisons, potentially causing illness in humans, pets, and other animals that are exposed to it. 

To learn more about blue-green algae, and what to do if you see an algae bloom, visit doh.wa.gov/ehp/algae. 

Further changes to Long Lake Park’s swim area will be posted at ci.lacey.wa.us/Long-Lake-Park.

For information about Long Lake Park, call Jenny Wilson, Lacey Parks and Recreation, at (360) 491-0857.    



SUMMER 2020 UPDATE - NO LIFEGUARDS AT LONG LAKE PARK

Long Lake Park has officially opened for the 2020 summer season however, due to a lack of certified staff; the lake will not have lifeguards on duty this year. Many Washington cities with swim beaches face similar challenges.

Securing an adequate number of certified lifeguards has been a challenge for the past few years and the COVID-19 public health crisis has created additional barriers. Nearly every aspect of training and preparing lifeguards involves extremely close contact with others, including practicing rescues with a partner or working as a rescue team. This type of training is necessary to closely mimic real-life rescues situations. The American Red Cross lifeguard certification and ongoing training requirements conflict with the Health Department's COVlD-19 social distancing guidelines. Due to these circumstances, we are unable to recertify our current lifeguards or offer new lifeguards certification until social distancing is relaxed or eliminated.

The City of Lacey and its Parks and Recreation Department's top priority is to ensure the safety and enjoyment of its parks and recreational areas for all parks users. To educate the public and increase awareness about proper water safety information will posted at the park.  

 



  SUMMER WATER SAFETY REMINDERS  
  For your safety, learn to swim before taking part in water activities. 
  
  Never swim alone.
  
  Know your limitation, including swimming ability, physical fitness, and medical conditions before going swimming.
  
  A responsible adult should stay with children.
  
  A “water watcher” should provide close and constant attention to children they are supervising and avoid distractions including cell phones.
  
   Teach children to always ask permission before going near the water.
  
  Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket appropriate for your weight and size, and the water activity.
  
  Children, inexperienced swimmers and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejackets.
  

Park Hours
7 a.m. to dark     
Size
10 acres

 

 

Amenities

285 feet of waterfront, with swimming beach
Barbeque grills
Picnic tables and benches
Sand volleyball courts
Restroom: Yes
Parking
Trails


 

Long Lake is monitored and tested for blue-green algae by the Thurston County Department of Environmental Health. Prior to swimming, please visit the Thurston County Department of Environmental Health website for information and current advisories.

 

Park History
In 1983, ten acres of land were acquired on the shore of Long Lake by reimbursing Thurston County  $41,000, the amount of matching funds for a Washington State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation grant.  In 1983, the City of Lacey also acquired the first right of refusal on the adjacent Thurston County Fairgrounds property, as well as adjacent private property.  Phase 1 of the park was developed later that year at a cost of $45,000, and included grading of the beachfront, small storage building, swim docks and log boom to designate the swimming area.  In 1988, Phase 2 construction included paved parking, sand volleyball courts and a building/concession stand at a cost of $83,600.  The concession stand burned down a few years later and was never rebuilt.

In 2005, Long Lake Park was redeveloped with a restroom, STEP sewage line, water, power, and paved parking using $260,000 of 2002 voter approved Open Space Bond funds and $35,000 of City of Lacey funds for a total of $295,000.

 

Safety Changes
In 2019, due to concerns about the safety of Long Lake Park’s swimming area, a professional, aquatic-safety consultant was hired to assess the beach, dock, and swimming area.  Based on the consultant’s recommendations, an additional security camera was installed, the dock was removed along with underwater safety hazards. (i.e. logs; cement blocks; and large, tangled bunches of geotextile fabric) due to risk of:

  • Drowning for children and non-swimmers who are unaware of the water depth when using the dock to enter the water.
  • Injury from diving into shallow water.
  • Entrapment under the dock.
  • Limited line-of-sight for lifeguards to effectively see a swimmer in need of help.
  • Injury from horseplay on the dock.

The second phase of the consultant’s assessment will include a Conceptual Site Plan for possible future park improvements and amenities.

 

Park Rules
Please help ensure a positive experience for all park visitors and wildlife by observing Long Lake Park's beachfront rules and general city park regulations.