Lacey Breaks Ground on Greg Cuoio Park: A Unique Regional Treasure

The City of Lacey (City) is excited to announce the groundbreaking of Greg Cuoio Park (Park), the City’s largest park and a true local and regional treasure. The Park and surrounding greenways, located off Carpenter Road just north of Interstate 5, span 537 acres of forest, wetlands, tributaries, and sensitive habitat areas. This largely undeveloped land offers a rare and exciting opportunity to preserve and enhance the natural environment while creating new recreation opportunities for the community.

The Greg Cuoio Park and Greenways Master Plan, completed in 2022, was shaped by extensive public input to ensure it reflects the community’s vision. The Park will prioritize open space, water quality protection, and natural environment enhancement.

Phase 1A: What’s Coming First!
Construction of the Park will be completed in phases. Phase 1A, spanning 139 acres, will introduce several exciting features, including:
• A large, inclusive, and accessible playground
• Approximately two miles of paved and soft-surface trails
• An 18-hole disc golf course
• Large picnic shelter
• Flexible open space
• Portable restrooms
Additionally, Phase 1A will include access from Carpenter Road, approximately 75 parking spaces, and signage. Construction is now underway, with a tentative opening planned for this fall.

Phase 1A Funding
The estimated cost for Phase 1A is $6.5 million. The City secured nearly $1 million in grant funding, including a state legislative appropriation of $499,550 and $500,000 from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program – Local Parks.

Honoring Greg Cuoio’s Legacy
The Park is named in honor of Greg Cuoio, Lacey’s former City Manager, who dedicated 24 years to public service. “Greg has been a key figure in the design of this community. He had tremendous vision and provided great leadership through his many years at the City,” said City Manager Rick Walk. “He played an instrumental role in securing these lands for public use, ensuring future generations have access to this remarkable natural space.”

For more information and project updates, visit LaceyParks.org/GCP.

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