Parks In Lakewood
The City of Lakewood Parks and Recreation Department manages and maintains 14 open space sites ranging from Fort Steilacoom Park of over 340 acres, to American Lake Park at just over 5.5 acres with a 3-lane boat launch and swimming beach, to small neighborhood parks. They include a wide range of features including natural areas with lakes, creeks, and woodland trails ~ to manicured fields and children’s playgrounds.
Several of our park facilities feature rentable covered shelter areas with seating for 25-100 people depending on the Park Facility; with some having the capacity to host an array of Large Special Events.
American Lake Park
Veterans Drive SW and 92nd Avenue SW
This popular 5-acre park offers seasonal restrooms, picnic shelter and tables, a swimming beach, and children’s playground equipment and also offers a public boat launch. There is a daily boat launch fee as well as an option to purchase a season pass from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For information on fees, please call (253) 589-2489.
Edgewater Park
Edgewater Drive SW
This 1-acre park provides public boat launch access to Lake Steilacoom and is a nice site for neighborhood picnicking. Parking is extremely limited. Launching is free; access and parking are limited.
Fort Steilacoom Park
Steilacoom Blvd. and Elwood Drive SW
Nature, heritage, recreation. And dogs. Fort Steilacoom Park, located across the street from Western State Hospital and adjacent to Pierce College, has it all. At 340 acres, Lakewood’s largest park contains playfields, a playground, an off-leash dog park and 10 miles of hiking trails that wind through the park.
You are welcome to walk your dog at Fort Steilacoom Park and in any other park in Lakewood if you keep it on a leash at all times and observe litter laws. Information about the off-leash dog area at www.ParkDogs.com
The walk around Waughop Lake has recently been paved and allows accessibility to strollers, bikers, walkers and wheelchairs. Also new is the Pavilion in the Park. It’s a multipurpose room and performance area, great for summer concerts with a grass seating.
It also has history. It once was a military base and a farm for Western State Hospital. Several of the barns still stand along with two unusual silos made of black and red bricks. Faded lettering says the pair date from 1931. H-Barn is currently being looked at to be restored and serve as a venue for community special events.
Until it was razed for safety reasons, the old Hill Ward dormitory for Western State patients sat on a nearby hill. Today it’s a plaza with the feel of Greek ruins, minus the Doric columns.
The most poignant area is the cemetery adjacent to the dog park. More than 3,200 people, mostly patients, are buried there. The dead were given only numbers on their markers — a practice meant to distance them from the stigma of mental illness. It also served to send them in to the great beyond forever unknown.
But Grave Concerns, a nonprofit dedicated to restoring the identities of the dead, has slowly added new markers with names to the graves. Now remembered is Ursula, a Native American girl whose short life lasted from 1883 to 1885. Near her grave is Hezekiah Gray who died in 1885, age unknown. A vintage marker, one of the few with a name instead of a number, might have been for a Western State doctor: “Moses Smith M.D.” He died in 1891 at age 74.
When: The park is open 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. or sunset (if later) unless otherwise posted
Harry Todd Community Park
North Thorne Lane and Woodlawn Avenue in Tillicum
This 17- acre park contains a baseball field, basketball and tennis courts, children’s playground equipment, picnic shelters and tables, a fishing pier and swimming beach access at American Lake. Harry Todd Park is also home to the Commencement Bay Rowing Club, an all-ages rowing club.
Kiwanis Park – Skate Park
Corner of Fairlawn Drive and Bridgeport Way SW
This 3-acre park is the home of Lakewood’s premier skate park. The 12,000 square foot in-ground concrete skatepark has proved extremely popular with youth from throughout the region. The park features seasonal restrooms facilities, walking path and youth play equipment. Two webcams show skate park action. Javascript is required to view the cameras.
South Puget Sound Urban Wildlife Interpretive Center 7723 Phillips Road SW, Lakewood
This 90-acre parcel started out as a game farm and fish hatchery in 1922. It can be used for their trail system for walking and bicycling. Managed by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, it’s surrounded by homes, businesses and a middle school. It still serves as a hatchery but is also an urban wildlife area. Kokanee and rainbow trout fill several ponds and runways. If hatchery staff are present they’re happy to offer on-the-spot tours to visitors. Open during daylight hours. Discover Pass required. wdfw.wa.gov
Neighborhood Parks in Lakewood
Lakewood Active Park
Just off Westwood Drive between Russell Road and Douglas Drive
Oakbrook 7th Addition Park
Corner of Onyx Drive SW and 97th Avenue
Seeley Lake Park
Lakewood Drive and Steilacoom Blvd.
Springbrook Park
127th Street SW and Addison Avenue SW
Wards Lake Park
84th Street South and Pine Street
Washington Park
Military Road near 101st Avenue SW
Would you like to reserve a park facility or are you looking for more information? Call us at (253) 983-7887 or email nyork@cityoflakewood.us to reserve a space for your event!
Park Shelter Reservation Form – Regular Use (Fillable Form)
Park Shelter Rules Regulations and Fees
Special Event Application Form (Fillable Form)
Special Event Rules and Regulations