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.

 

 

 

NO LIFEGUARDS AT LONG LAKE PARK

Long Lake Park is open however, due to a lack of certified staff; the lake will not have lifeguards on duty. Many Washington cities with swim beaches face similar challenges.

Our top priority is to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our parks and recreational areas for all parks users. To educate and increase awareness about proper water safety, information is 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.