LaceyLife June 2025

Reminder: 2025 Community Survey Underway

In mid-May, the City, in partnership with Polco, launched a Community Survey to gather valuable input from residents — and we want to hear from you!

Who Can Participate?
Randomly selected households received a postcard inviting them to take the survey. If you received an invitation, please follow the instructions and share your input!

What if I didn’t receive an invitation? If you weren’t selected for the initial survey, you’ll have an opportunity to participate in a community-wide survey soon. To get notified when this portion of the survey opens, visit polco.us/n/res/signup and register for a Polco profile. If you prefer not to pre-register, we will also post the survey link on our website in late June.

“We strongly encourage all residents to take the survey,” shares Mayor Andy Ryder. “Community input is at the heart of everything we do in Lacey. We believe the best decisions are made when we listen to and work alongside our community members. Whether it’s planning a new park, updating city services, or shaping longterm goals, we value every voice and strive to create a city that reflects the needs and values of the people who call Lacey home.”

Thank you for helping make Lacey a better community, together!

Make Your Voice Heard: Join the Lacey Youth Council

The Lacey Youth Council is an advisory body to the Lacey City Council. It’s a great opportunity for students to learn about local government, provide feedback to the City on a variety of topics, and engage in community projects. You can even earn 30+ hours of community service or a $50 stipend per meeting attended, up to $500 a year.

The City is accepting applications from 2025-26 sophomores, juniors, and seniors who attend public or private schools, alternative education programs, or are home-schooled in the Lacey area, now through June 30.

To get more information or apply, visit CityofLacey.org/LYC or email LYC@cityoflacey.org. Share your voice. We want to hear it!

Lacey Youth Council in Action:

Save the Date! Lacey Fireworks Spectacular:

Thursday, July 3 | Rainier Vista Community Park |4 – 11 p.m.

Fireworks burst in the night sky above a crowd, with an American flag painted on the grass in the foreground.

Join us for a day of celebrating and fun at the Lacey Fireworks Spectacular! This FREE, community event features live music, kids activities, an amazing fireworks display set to music, and more! You can also purchase food from a variety of on-site vendors. It’s a perfect way to spend the day with family and friends!
Visit LaceyParks.org/Fireworks to learn more!

Parksploration: Huntamer Park

Did you know Huntamer Park is named after Thomas W. Huntamer, a former mayor and member of Lacey’s first City Council? The park is located in the center of Lacey’s Midtown and features an outdoor performance stage, two climbing rocks for kids, picnic tables, benches, and a large, open area perfect for picnics, playing in the grass, or just relaxing and reading a book.

A middle-aged man with short, combed hair and glasses wears a suit, striped shirt, and patterned tie, posing for a formal portrait against a plain background.

Huntamer Park is home to many of the City’s outdoor community events. During the summer, the park hosts the City’s lunchtime concerts, Children’s Entertainment Series, and Music & Movies in the Park. In October, Children’s Day is a family favorite, and the Lighting of the Christmas Tree & Park is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season! In addition to City events, many other events, hosted by a variety of organizations, are held in Huntamer Park.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out Huntamer Park, you’re missing one of the City’s best entertainment treasures!

Lacey has one the of the State’s best municipal park systems. It includes just over 1,200 acres of park land and open spaces, miles of paved, ADA-accessible trails, hiking trails, several community buildings, and the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC). To discover other Lacey parks and trails, visit LaceyParks.org/Parks-Trails.

Please Keep Your Dog on a Leash When Visiting Our Parks

Lacey has over 1,200 acres of parkland and open spaces — plenty for all to enjoy!

For the safety of all park users, all dogs must be on a leash in City of Lacey parks, even if you don’t see other park visitors.

Here are a few reasons why:

Dogs can get spooked and run away, creating a potentially dangerous situation for them.
People and/or other dogs get scared of dogs.
Park visitors may want to enjoy the park without having to deal with your dog.
Dogs can be unpredictable in unknown situations.
Park visitors who want to meet your dog will have a proper opportunity to do so, without any surprises.

If you encounter a dog off-leash in a park or if you experience an issue or attack, please contact Joint Animals Services at (360) 352-2510 or Shelter@JointAnimalServices.org for assistance.

Check Out the Thurston County Off-Leash Dog Park!

The Thurston County Off-Leash Dog Park includes a special area for small dogs, water stations, a sand and gravel area for digging, paths, and fencing.

You can take your dog to the off-leash park from 7 a.m. to dusk, seven days
a week. For more information, visit ThurstonCountywa.gov/Departments/Public-Works/Parks-Trails.