LaceyLife September 2025
Powered Up Fun: Lacey Children’s Day!
Saturday, October 4 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Huntamer Park
Join the community for a Saturday afternoon of family fun featuring a variety of FREE activities, arts and crafts, giveaways, and games for kids of all ages — provided by local businesses and organizations!
This year’s theme, All Things Video Games, invites you to level up your day. Bonus: No console needed — this gaming adventure is coming to life at Huntamer Park!
Lacey Children’s Day is a partnership between the City and North Thurston Public Schools. The event takes place rain or shine. So, mark your calendar, put your game face on, and meet us there. It’s the perfect way to kick off fall!
To get more information, visit the Children’s Day webpage.
LaceyLife: New Look and Schedule Coming Soon!
Starting in 2026, LaceyLife will shift from a monthly publication sent with utility (water) bills to a quarterly newsletter mailed directly to all Lacey addresses.
Why the change? We want to make sure LaceyLife reaches as many community members as possible — including people who don’t receive a water bill from the City (such as people living in multi-family housing) and those who pay their bill online.
Even though you’ll receive the newsletter less often, each issue will be bigger and packed with more stories, updates, and seasonal information to keep you connected to your community!
Sign Up for E-Newsletters! We have several newsletters you can sign up to receive by email — including LaceyWeekly. It includes the latest news, events, and information, every week! You can also register for project-specific road construction updates, and City department newsletters.
Visit the Email Updates webpage to sign up for the topics that interest you.
Watch for more information about LaceyLife enhancements in future newsletters.
Thurston County Emergency Management Council invites the community to their annual Emergency Preparedness Expo.
Stop by and learn:
- How to prepare to protect yourself and your loved ones from emergencies.
- How the Community Emergency Response Team, Fire Department, and Law Enforcement protects you.
Saturday, September 20 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Olympia Center (222 Columbia St NW)
City Budget Process: How to Provide Input and Get More Information
The annual budget is one the most important documents the City produces. It provides information on revenues (how the City collects funds from a variety of sources) and expenditures (how the City plans to use funds during the current year).
Every year, the budget process begins in July and continues into the fall. As we prepare the City’s annual budget, we invite and encourage public involvement at the public hearings* listed in the Key 2026 Budget Process Dates box below. To learn more about public hearings at Council meetings, visit the City Council webpage.
Learn More About Lacey’s Budget
To find out more about the City’s funding, major expenditures, how sales tax is distributed, and more, visit the Budget webpage.
Lacey Launches Equity Map
The City has a new resource to help create a more equitable and inclusive community — the Lacey Equity Map. This free, interactive tool shows social and environmental differences (also known as disparities) across Lacey.
The City will use the data to help inform future policy decisions and infrastructure projects; it’s also available to businesses, non-profits, and others who may find the information valuable.
The Map covers the City and its Urban Growth Area. It uses 34 community indicators, grouped into five categories (accessibility, livability, education, economy, and environment), to show how experiences may vary across different areas. The Map is just one of many tools and should be used with other data sources, research, and meaningful community input.
To learn more about and access the Lacey Equity Map, visit the Equity Map webpage.
PARKSPLORATION: Wonderwood Park
Wonderwood Park is a community gem located between College Street and Ruddell Road. The Park is a perfect mix of forested woodland spaces and a variety of recreational options. Park users can wander through the park on soft-surface trails amongst the tall trees and vegetation or take a walk along the paved pathways that wind through the woods. You can also enjoy a game of soccer, basketball, softball, tennis, or pickleball — all within the park’s boundaries! Youth can play on the two, updated playgrounds with slides, an ADA-accessible swing, climbing areas, and more. And, don’t forget the picnic areas, including two shelters to accommodate gatherings in all types of weather. So many options!
If you’re looking for a peaceful place to spend the day or just an afternoon, you should visit Wonderwood Park!
Learn More
Lacey’s Park System includes just over 1,200 acres of park land and open spaces, miles of paved, ADA-accessible trails, hiking trails, a premier regional athletic complex, and several community buildings. To learn more about Wonderwood Park and discover other Lacey parks and trails, visit the Parks and Trails webpage.
FUN FACT: In 1971, the City purchased approximately 20 acres for what would later become the first park in Lacey with $14,500 of City funds and a $58,000 grant. Three years later, the City purchased an additional 20 acres and completed the first phase of Wonderwood Park.
At a Glance:
- Address: 5304 32nd Ave. SE
- Hours: 7 a.m. – dark
- Size: 40 acres
REMINDER: Outdoor Watering Schedule | June 1 – September 30
For more information, visit the Odd Even Outdoor Watering Schedules page.
View the September LaceyLife in PDF format.
