LaceyLife August 2025

A collage showing a girl jumping in a bounce house, an older man in sunglasses and a hat, a boy holding a fan, a musician performing, and two girls smiling and making peace signs.

Congratulations Chief Almada!

We’re proud to share that Governor Bob Ferguson recently appointed Chief Robert Almada to the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA)! His term began on July 1, 2025, and will run through November 18, 2025.

WATPA is a statewide team of experts working together to reduce auto theft through prevention, education, and support for law enforcement. Chief Almada joins a group of ten appointees representing law enforcement, prosecutors, the auto and insurance industries, and the private sector.

A smiling man in a Lacey Police Department dress uniform sits in front of a plain blue background.

This is a well-deserved recognition of Chief Almada’s leadership and dedication to public safety. Please join us in congratulating Chief Almada on this important role and thanking him for continuing to serve and protect our communities, locally and now at the state level.

To learn more about WATPA and their mission, visit their website.

Does your organization promote tourism in Lacey? Apply for Lodging Tax Funds NOW!

A group of children in costumes and face paint stand and celebrate outdoors in front of a colorful stage backdrop on a sunny day.

If you host a special event or festival, operate a tourism-related facility, or provide tourism marketing in Lacey or the Lacey Urban Growth Area, we encourage you to apply for lodging tax funds to help support your efforts!

Interested organizations can apply for the use of 2026 lodging tax funds through Friday, August 22 at 5 p.m. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Learn more and apply on the LTAC webpage.

Enjoy More Free Summer Entertainment!

Taking advantage of our free summer activities is a great way to enjoy the rest of the season without breaking the bank. You can take in some live music, watch a movie under the stars, and so much more!

NEW THIS YEAR!

Join us at Huntamer Park on Wednesday, August 6 and 13 at 6:30 p.m. for a mid-week, family-friendly evening concert!

August 6: Billy Shew, blues artist, has pursued a life in music for over 30 years with 3 albums to his name.
August 13: Platinum Soul, R&B soul band, will take you on a musical ride down funky street with jammin’ hits.

Create lasting memories with your family and friends before the summer ends! Visit our events page to see the full schedule and make plans today!

People sit on the grass watching a performance on an outdoor stage in a park, with trees, tents, and a building visible in the background.

PARKSPLORATION: Long Lake Park

A view from a red kayak on a calm lake, facing a shoreline with trees, a grassy area, a small building, and a house under a clear blue sky.

Did you know we have access to one the of the State’s best municipal park systems right here in Lacey? Lacey’s Park System has just over 1,200 acres of park land and open spaces, miles of paved, ADA-accessible trails, hiking trails, several community buildings, and a premier regional athletic complex (RAC).

Our community is also lucky to have one of the finest swimming beaches in Thurston County at Long Lake Park. The popular park, with its beautiful evergreen entrance, has 285 feet of beach-lake frontage, sand volleyball courts, picnic tables and facilities, and a natural trail through the woods.

If you’re looking for a place to cool off on a hot day, have a family picnic, or just enjoy the day — Long Lake Park is a great choice!

To learn more and discover other Lacey parks and trails, visit the Parks & Trails webpage.

Please note: Although dogs on leashes are welcome in the park, they are not allowed on the beach or in the swim area. In addition, the park does not have lifeguards
on duty. We remind park users to follow safe water practices when taking part in water activities.

Have a Question, Comment, or Compliment You’d Like to Share With the City?

Use our online system — LaceyWorks — to submit comments, questions, compliments, or concerns and stay informed with timely updates. It’s convenient, easy-to-use, and available 24/7!

To learn more, visit the LaceyWorks webpage. You can also access it on our website’s homepage by clicking on the “Tell Us” icon.

What’s Happening on 6th Avenue?

A mural on a building reads "Greetings from Lacey Washington" with flowers, a bird, and trees, alongside black-and-white historical photos.

Have you noticed these fun window coverings on 6th Avenue at the Bell Towne Center and wondered what’s unfolding? That’s the future home of the Lacey Museum! We are making progress on getting things ready to share with the community. Stay tuned for updates!

In the meantime, stop by, take a selfie, and tag the City of Lacey Parks Instagram or Facebook page. You just might get featured in one of our upcoming newsletters!

Lacey Residents to Consider Formation of Metropolitan Park District on August 5

On August 5, 2025, Lacey voters will consider Proposition 1, a ballot measure that asks whether to form a Lacey Metropolitan Park District (MPD) to provide ongoing funding to maintain, operate, and improve parks, trails, recreational facilities, and programs.

In addition to the above, Proposition 1 would:

Establish the MPD boundaries as the Lacey city limits.
Establish the MPD to be governed by the Lacey City Council.
Authorize the tax rate of up to a maximum of $0.45 per $1,000 assessed property value. Example: At the rate of $0.45 per $1,000 assessed property value, an owner with a property assessed at $500,000 would pay $225 a year or $18.75 per month (per household, not per person).

Visit the MPD page to learn more.

Fall Registration Opens August 27 at 9 a.m.

Starting August 20, you can check out the fall Parks, Culture & Recreation offerings by visiting the Lacey Parks registration page. Then mark your calendar and get ready to register for your favorite classes and programs!