Parks and recreation in Chehalis, Washington#Chehalis Municipal Rose Garden

The city, incorporated since 1883,{{cite web |last1=Ott |first1=Jennifer |title=Chehalis - Thumbnail History |url=https://www.historylink.org/File/8645 |website=HistoryLink |access-date=November 28, 2023 |date=July 1, 2008}} had been without a city park from its inception and throughout the remainder of the 19th century. Despite sporting events taking place as early as 1896 on grounds that would become Millett Field, and attempts to donate Duffy Park in the 1880s, no official park yet existed. In 1898, an opinion piece in the town newspaper, The Chehalis Bee, coupled with a request from the city council for landowners to donate parcels for recreation purposes, helped to start a community parks program.{{cite news |title=Untitled Section - City Park |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zz9UAAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee |date=June 17, 1898 |page=2}}

Chehalis has a long tradition of citizen fundraising to purchase, build, and maintain its parks.{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Carrina |title=Chehalis Neighbors Rally to Give Historic Park a Facelift |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/chehalis-neighbors-rally-to-give-historic-park-a-facelift,298926 |access-date=July 3, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 28, 2022}} Early parks were funded via a subscription service. A long serving parks superintendent, Stan Hedwall, was known as "Mr. Sign Man" due to his nature of building signage for existing parks during his oversight in the mid-20th century. Hedwall published a book in 1962 to promote the Chehalis park system and community pool. Titled, Why Battle Seattle? 90 Minutes To The Fair. Relax In Chehalis, it was provided to visitors during the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.{{cite news |last1=Blomdahl |first1=George |title='Mr. Sign Man' Of Chehalis To Retire |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1969/05-03/page-14 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=May 3, 1969}}

In the 21st century, a collaboration of Chehalis residents, the city government, various service clubs, and local organizations such as the Chehalis Foundation, the Lewis County Community Trails Association, and Experience Chehalis (previously the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team),{{cite news |last1=Warn |first1=Daniel |title=Renaissance Team Changes Name to 'Experience Chehalis' |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/renaissance-team-changes-name-to-experience-chehalis,286319 |access-date=18 April 2022 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 18, 2022}} have spearheaded endeavors to restore and renovate several of the parks.

The Chehalis Parks Department received $100,000 in funding from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) in late 2023. The grant is to be used to procure machinery to maintain the fields and turf areas of Lintott-Alexander and Stan Hedwall parks, and to renovate the restrooms on the grounds of the Recreation Park Complex, also known as the Chehalis Sports Complex.{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Three Lewis County cities receive grant funding for park improvements |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/three-lewis-county-cities-receive-grant-funding-for-park-improvements,330044 |access-date=December 4, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 29, 2023}}

File:Airport Levee Trail, Chehalis, Washington.jpg

Outside of the Dobson-McFadden Trail, the trails at Stan Hedwall, and footpaths located within the Recreation Park complex, the city has three significant trails, two of which extend beyond the municipality. A non-profit group, the Lewis County Community Trails Association, was organized in 2006 to help coordinate the creation of trails within the city and Lewis County. There were plans to create a trail connecting the Port of Chehalis to Stan Hedwall Park and nearby tourist locations in the 2000s, but despite a small feasibility study, the project did not proceed.{{cite news |last1=Haines |first1=Amanda |title=Trails Group Sets Sights on Twin Cities Connector |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/trails-group-sets-sights-on-twin-cities-connector,213361? |access-date=4 December 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 10, 2007}} Future plans include linking recreational areas in Chehalis to parks and trails in Centralia, ultimately connecting the entire system with the Willapa Hills Trail.{{cite web |title=Future Projects : TransAlta Trail |url=http://www.lewiscountytrails.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=3 |website=Lewis County Community Trails |access-date=30 November 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Spurr |first1=Kyle |title=Lewis County Community Trails Group Pursues Grants |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/lewis-county-community-trails-group-pursues-grants,138335? |access-date=30 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 18, 2012}}{{cite news |last1=Brewer |first1=Christopher |title=Paving a New Path |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/paving-a-new-path,82983? |access-date=4 December 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 24, 2014}}

The trail is mixed paved-gravel built atop a levee and loops for {{convert|3.5|mi}} around the Chehalis-Centralia Airport and Twin City Town Center.{{cite web|url=http://www.lewiscountytrails.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=28&Itemid=2|title=Airport Levee Trail|website=Lewis County Trails|access-date=November 30, 2021}} Built in large part by community efforts and $300,000 in funding from TransAlta, the trail was first available for use in 2010.{{cite news |last1=Brewer |first1=Christopher |title=Walkway Around Chehalis Airport Part of Grand Plan for Twin Cities |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/walkway-around-chehalis-airport-part-of-grand-plan-for-twin-cities,172572? |access-date=30 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 2, 2010}} The trail provides views of the Riverside Golf Course, airport, and farmland, with views of the Chehalis River.{{cite news |last1=Crowner |first1=Paul |title=Airport Trail Is Grand — If You Follow This Advice |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/paul-crowner-commentary-airport-trail-is-grand-if-you-follow-this-advice,155301? |access-date=10 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 24, 2011}}

The mixed-use paved trail is {{convert|1.4|mi}} and runs parallel to Interstate 5 to the east, with farmland and close views of the Chehalis River to the west. Completed in 2014, the south trailhead links with the Airport Levee Trail and continues north, passing over Salzer Creek and into Centralia, officially terminating at the Twin Transit Mellen Street station.{{cite web|url=https://discoverlewiscounty.com/outdoors/airport-road-trail|title=Airport Road Trail|website=Discover Lewis County|access-date=March 22, 2020}} Future plans include building ramps to an existing pedestrian portion of the I-5 bridge over the Skookumchuck River which would link the trail to Fort Borst Park and other recreational areas in Centralia.

{{main|Willapa Hills Trail}}

At {{convert|56|mi}}, the intercounty trail is part of the Willapa Hills State Park and stretches from Chehalis to South Bend, Washington. It is built over a decommissioned railroad.{{cite news |last1=Rose |first1=Buddy |title=Rail conversion provides different recreation trail |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/rail-conversion-provides-different-recreation-trail,236985? |access-date=3 December 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 15, 2004}} The trail journeys near or thru such Lewis County towns as Adna, Claquato, Ceres, Doty, and McCormick, while passing by the ghost town of Walville. A spur allows users to traverse thru Rainbow Falls State Park near Dryad.{{cite web |title=Willapa Hills Map |url=https://parks.state.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/7573/Willapa-Hills-Map?bidId= |website=Washington State Parks}} Mostly complete within Lewis County, with a mix of pavement and compact gravel, the trail is considered unimproved for large stretches in Pacific County.{{cite news |last1=Hammock |first1=Dan |title=Overpass Construction Begins on Willapa Hills Trail |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/overpass-construction-begins-on-willapa-hills-trail,273547? |access-date=3 December 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=September 29, 2021}} The trail is under the maintenance auspices of the Washington State Park System and is open for non-motorized activities year round to hikers, bicyclists, and horse riding.{{cite web |title=Willapa Hills State Park Trail |url=https://parks.state.wa.us/1023/Willapa-Hills-Trail |website=Washington State Parks |access-date=28 July 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Nailon |first1=Jordan |title=Willapa Hills Trail Work Completes Route Through Lewis County |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/willapa-hills-trail-work-completes-route-through-lewis-county,17815? |access-date=3 December 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=April 26, 2018}}

The park began in 1904 under the purchase and operation of a local organized band, the Chehalis Concert Band.{{cite news |title=Chehalis To Have A Park |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EUhUAAAAIBAJ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=May 6, 1904 |page=5}} It was located near the northern city limits on National Avenue and was split by the connecting road and railroad tracks leading to Centralia. Listed as {{convert|1.5|acre|ha}} in size, the east portion of the park had an {{convert|8|foot|abbr=off}} fence. Funding to purchase the land and make improvements was collected by band performances, including the presentations of minstrel shows. Subsequent funding was provided with concerts and dances at the park. The park had plans to include a covered pavilion with a band stage and dance floor.{{cite news |title=Secured A Park |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FUhUAAAAIBAJ |access-date=December 13, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 3, 1904 |page=1}}{{cite news |title=Work On The Park |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FkhUAAAAIBAJ |access-date=December 13, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 10, 1904 |page=8}} In late 1905, a portion of the park was purchased for use as a foundry and machine shop and the pavilion was enclosed and utilized as part of the iron works plant.{{cite news |title=Watch Our Smoke |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M0VUAAAAIBAJ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=December 1, 1905 |page=1}}

The remaining park grounds began to be referred to as Twin City Park by 1910, due to its location on the border of Chehalis and Centralia.{{cite news |title=Liederkranz Picnic |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t3s9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=September 23, 1910 |page=1}} By 1911, a hall had been built but used sparingly, and a grandstand had been constructed. The park was sold in November 1911 to the Liederkranz society, a local German social organization, and the property converted into a mixed-use theater and dance hall.{{cite news |title=New Home For Liederkranz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RTVLAAAAIBAJ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 29, 1911 |page=3}}{{cite news |title=Foundry Site Deal Is Closed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lEZUAAAAIBAJ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=November 2, 1911 |page=2}} After the construction of the Liederkranz Hall, the grounds were occasionally alluded to as a park or treated as such, and in some cases the site was given the name Recreation Park.{{cite news |title=Big German Picnic June 15 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ek9UAAAAIBAJ |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 6, 1913 |page=12}} The last newspaper report to allude to Twin City Park was in 1916.{{cite news |title=Business Locals |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YoZLAAAAIBAJ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=July 21, 1916 |page=7}}

During spring 1918, coinciding with the involvement of the United States in World War I, the German Liederkranz Hall was demanded to be renamed by a local Chehalis citizen's club; the hall became known as the Chehalis Auditorium.{{cite news |title=Liederkranz Not Liked |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4LI9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=April 26, 1918 |page=3}}{{cite news |title=The Chehalis Auditorium |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kkFUAAAAIBAJ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=May 10, 1918 |page=1}} Months later, the venue suffered severe damages due to arson. The auditorium was renamed the Liberty Hall shortly thereafter but fell into decay and the park grounds went unused.{{cite news |title=The Arson Bug At Work Again |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8rI9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=August 30, 1918 |page=7}}{{cite news |title=New Cases Filed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AzxUAAAAIBAJ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=October 17, 1919 |page=5}} The building that was once the Liederkranz Hall was condemned and destroyed completely after a fire in February 1926.{{cite news |title=Liederkranz Hall Burns |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zqk9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=February 5, 1926 |page=5}}

{{Infobox park

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The Chehalis Municipal Rose Garden was an accredited test garden for the commercial viability of certain rose species. It was located between the Chehalis city hall and library, near the present day site of the Vernetta Smith Chehalis Timberland Library. The grounds were created in 1934.{{cite news |title=Rose Orders Continue To Come In |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1934/01-18/page-5/ |access-date=21 December 2021 |work=The Centralia Daily Chronicle |date=January 18, 1934 |page=5}} Annual gardening events and competitions for roses have been held in the city since then although the garden was not officially considered created until the late 1940s.{{cite news |last1=Forsyth |first1=Ashley |title=Rose garden blooms in Chehalis |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2003/07-05/page-19 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=July 5, 2003 |pages=C1, C6}} By 1960, the nursery was one of only 51 test gardens for roses in the United States.{{cite news |title=What's New In The Twin Cities - Arches Installed |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-daily-chronicle/1960/03-11/page-2 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=The Daily Chronicle |date=March 11, 1960 |page=2}}

The rose garden was an important part of the city's nickname, "The Rose City", which was chosen in 2000. The grounds contained 75 varieties of roses, some of which were national prize winners of the All-America Rose Selections (AARS). A total of 300 rose bushes were listed as being planted in the space by the turn of the 21st century.{{cite news |last1=Slaughter |first1=Mai Ling |title=Chehalis rose garden grows in importance |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2000/08-15 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 15, 2000 |pages=A1, A12}}{{cite news |last1=Fryer |first1=Mary Fran |title=Rose enthusiasts have chance to see, grow great plants |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2002/06-21/page-15 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 21, 2002 |pages=C1, C3}} The garden was removed during the demolition of the previous library in 2007. The rose bushes were transplanted to Henderson Park but did not thrive.{{cite news |last1=Voie |first1=Brittany |title=More Information Surfaces About the Chehalis Municipal Rose Garden |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/more-information-surfaces-about-the-chehalis-municipal-rose-garden,15804? |access-date=10 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 3, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Forsyth |first1=Ashley |title=Rose garden blooms in Chehalis |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/rose-garden-blooms-in-chehalis,250496? |access-date=23 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=July 5, 2003}} A year before the removal, the Chehalis Municipal Rose Garden was one of six accredited AARS gardens in the state and one of 138 in the nation.{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Carrina |title=Job is a bed of roses for Smith |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2006/06-19 |access-date=August 19, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 19, 2006 |pages=A1, A9}}

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Located near the Uncle Sam billboard was the Dancing Swallows Big Gay Bird Sanctuary and Memorial Pond which contained birdhouses for swallows that were fashioned in colors associated with gay pride. Begun by a local resident, Kyle Wheeler, in response and opposition to the billboard as well as to the rise in hate speech and crimes towards the LGBTQ population, it started when he erected a sign in the fall of 2020 that stated, "Lewis County Welcomes Everyone". Torn down after the first day, the rainbow-colored sign was reinstalled only to be removed again without authorization. Wheeler began enlarging the display, which was situated on a small triangular parcel that he owned. Transforming the grounds into a sanctuary, the park contained a stormwater pond and was near a growing subdivision. The sanctuary was created in honor of a deceased friend, Kali. The land was sold in June 2024 and the private park was deemed closed.{{cite web |title=Dancing Swallows Big Gay Bird Sanctuary and Memorial Pond |url=https://www.biggaybirdsanctuary.com/ |publisher=Dancing Swallows Big Gay Bird Sanctuary and Memorial Pond LLC |access-date=August 5, 2024}}

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Located between Crestview Drive and Prospect Street on Prospect Hill,{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Carrina |title=Council tables Duffy Park surplus declaration |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2005/10-11 |access-date=August 8, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 11, 2005 |pages=A1, A8}} there are conflicting reports of when the park was given to the city, spanning almost two decades. The first record of such a donation is listed in December 1887,{{cite news |title=Early Days In Chehalis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QYM9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=December 6, 1929 |page=6}} but an official plat and deed is mentioned as taking place in May 1888. The grounds, measuring {{convert|4.56|acre|ha}},{{cite news |last1=Haines |first1=Amanda |title=Neighbors Want to Keep Duffy's Park |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/centralia/centralia-chronicle/2007/03-27/page-1 |access-date=August 13, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 27, 2007 |pages=A1, A7}} were then reportedly bestowed in 1902 to Chehalis by Horatio J. (H.J.) Duffy{{cite news |title=Touched Elbows |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1906/02-09/ |access-date=29 December 2021 |work=The Chehalis-Bee-Nugget |issue=33 |date=February 9, 1906 |volume=23 |page=1}} for $1. Once named "Scenery Park",{{cite news |title=Miscellaneous Business |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1902/04-18/page-10/ |access-date=29 December 2021 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |issue=42 |date=April 19, 1902 |volume=19 |page=1}} the area was never officially listed as a park by the city, despite plans in 1914 to build a bandstand at the entrance of the grounds,{{cite news |title=Arranging For A Beauty Spot |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k01UAAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=June 26, 1914 |page=8}} and only referred to as an "unimproved park".{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Carrina |title=Public comment sought on Duffy Park sale |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/public-comment-sought-on-duffy-park-sale,227753? |access-date=25 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=September 30, 2005}}

Duffy Park is located on the hillside, south-southeast of McFadden Park, and there are no signs or trail markers.{{cite news |last1=McClurg |first1=Dian |title=Parks Gone Wild |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/parks-gone-wild,239549 |access-date=10 December 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=July 10, 2004}} Logged in 1993, the proceeds of the timber helped fund projects for other parks in Chehalis, notably Penny Playground. A local Boy Scouts troop replanted the area with hopes to use it as a learning forest but the effort did not materialize. The city attempted to consider the area surplus in 2005 and 2007, with an attempt in between during 2006 to pursue the construction of a reservoir on the property; the endeavors were unsuccessful.{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Carrina |title=Duffy Park nixed for reservoir site |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/duffy-park-nixed-for-reservoir-site,223269? |access-date=25 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=April 11, 2006}} The city continues to provide general maintenance to the park.

An east side park was first discussed in 1905, with funds and plans to be decided at a later date after initial landscaping was begun.{{cite news |title=Beautify The City |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GEVUAAAAIBAJ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=May 26, 1905 |page=1}} Officially started in 1906 with a $500 fund, the park occupied a triangular area uphill of the St. Helens Hotel in the downtown district.{{cite news |title=For The East Side Park |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1906/05-04/ |access-date=December 14, 2021 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |issue=45 |date=May 4, 1906 |volume=23 |page=1}} In late 1907, the city park board announced plans to seed the grounds for a lawn and to plant trees around the perimeter, but funding had not yet been collected.{{cite news |title=Park Board Is At Work |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DEZUAAAAIBAJ |access-date=December 13, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=October 11, 1907 |page=1}} Issues with the grade and road improvements would plague the completion of the project.{{cite news |title=The John Dobson Park Deeded To Chehalis Monday Night |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1908/03-06/page-2/ |access-date=December 14, 2021 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |issue=37 |date=March 6, 1908 |volume=25 |page=1}} Never completed, the land was offered in mid-1908 as the location of the Chehalis Carnegie library, which was completed and opened in 1910.{{cite news |title=Will Support City Library |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/washington/chehalis/chehalis-bee-nugget/1908/06-12/ |access-date=December 14, 2021 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |issue=51 |date=June 12, 1908 |volume=25 |page=1}}{{cite news |last1=Haines |first1=Amanda |title=Library Namesake Makes Special Visit |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/library-namesake-makes-special-visit,207370? |access-date=January 30, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 18, 2007}}

The automobile waystation was opened in May 1924 and was located on the Pacific Highway (known eventually as Jackson Highway), immediately south of the existing city border at the time. The park was named after its owners, the Rice family. The husband, J.D. Rice, was a proprietor of several theater houses in Chehalis, including The Dream, in the early 20th century. Originally the rest area contained cottages, a community kitchen, and facilities for bathing and laundry.{{cite news |title=Brevities |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jWo9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=May 30, 1924 |page=7}} Within two months, the Theodore Roosevelt Highway Association commended the Rice family for the accommodations provided at the auto park.{{cite news |title=Brevities |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lWo9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=July 25, 1924 |page=7}} Concord grapes were grown at the grounds beginning at its inception{{cite news |title=Home Grown Concord Grapes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SGFLAAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=October 21, 1927 |page=1}} and in 1930 an arson-caused fire destroyed a cottage.{{cite news |title=Tourist Cabin At Rice's Park Destroyed |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S4M9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=February 7, 1930 |page=17}} Later that year the Rice family, feeling ready for retirement, sold the park which had begun to be more of a business than recreation area.{{cite news |title=Town Talk |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A5o9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=October 31, 1930 |page=5}} A lease in 1931 led to the several updates to the park, including a large dining room.{{cite news |title=Florida Couple Leases Rice Auto Park |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T749AAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=September 4, 1931 |page=6}} J.D. Rice remarried and took up the business again by 1932{{cite news |title=Large List Of Native Sons And Daughters |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u4U9AAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=July 15, 1932 |page=14}} and began to live in his prior residence on the property. A public divorce in 1937 showed evidence of a transfer of ownership of the Rice Auto Park, and its business amenities, to his wife when they were first married.{{cite news |title=Sensational Divorce Case Filed In Superior Court |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oXVLAAAAIBAJ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=The Chehalis Bee-Nugget |date=April 23, 1937 |page=4}} The park no longer exists.

A pedestrian trail system was proposed in 2005 that was to connect east Chehalis with the city's community west of I-5. Known as the Chehalis Community Pathway, the system would have linked existing parks to the Chehalis Downtown Historic District, museums and tourist attractions, and the Chehalis Industrial Park. Long-term plans included joining the pathway project with the Willapa Hills Trail.{{cite news |title=Chehalis pathway could lead to better quality of life in city |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/chehalis-pathway-could-lead-to-better-quality-of-life-in-city,225883? |access-date=October 14, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=December 16, 2005}}

An art park was proposed in 2012 on land that was formerly the site of an electrical substation. Given early names such as "Power Free Park" and "Chehalis Art Park", the recreation site would be located between the Washington State Route 6 exchange and the government district. The park would consist of artworks, a pet area, and would potentially host EV charging stations. {{As of|2023}}, the Lewis County PUD and the Chehalis Community Renaissance Team led project had not been formally adopted.{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Julie |title=Chehalis Park Among Renaissance Projects |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/julie-mcdonald-commentary-chehalis-park-among-renaissance-projects,124756? |access-date=August 28, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=September 18, 2012}}

A railfan park has been considered that would neighbor the Lewis County Historical Society and Museum, once a railway depot. The idea began after a video camera was placed on the museum in 2019 that livestreams the railroad activity in the area. The park would include benches and tables, a boardwalk, courtyard, and a caboose open for exploration.{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Train Enthusiasts Hope to See Chehalis Railfan Cam Become a Park |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/train-enthusiasts-hope-to-see-chehalis-railfan-cam-become-a-park,298566? |access-date=June 6, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 19, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Emily |title=Chehalis railcam fans propose idea for ‘Daryl Lund Memorial Railfan Park’ to create safe gathering space and promote local train watching |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/chehalis-railcam-fans-propose-idea-for-daryl-lund-memorial-railfan-park-to-create-safe,375934 |access-date=March 4, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 24, 2025}}

In early 2024, a proposal was offered to the city council to create an ecotourism park in a wetland area owned by the city that surrounds the watershed of Coal Creek. Potentially encompassing {{convert|88|acre|ha}}, it would require Chehalis to purchase up to an additional {{convert|20|acre|ha}} in the basin and would include cooperation of several entities, including the Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB), for aquatic habitat restoration.{{cite news |last1=Roland |first1=Mitchell |title=Developer says Coal Creek wetland project would be 'great opportunity' for city |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/developer-says-coal-creek-wetland-project-would-be-great-opportunity-for-city,334412 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 12, 2024}} The OCB funded the initial study phase beginning in March 2025 for $280,000 and a sponsor, American Rivers, was found to support the project. Estimated costs for the park were listed as high as $1.3 million.{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Coal Creek ecotourism project gets $280,000 in Office of Chehalis Basin funding for initial engineering phase |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/coal-creek-ecotourism-project-gets-280000-in-office-of-chehalis-basin-funding-for-initial,376765 |access-date=March 24, 2025 |work=The Chronicle |date=March 12, 2025}}

The Riverside Golf Course is nestled between the Chehalis–Centralia Airport and the Chehalis River. Spanning 110 acres (45 ha), it plays 6,155 yards for a par of 71.{{cite news |author= |title=Golfers come first |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/golfers-come-first,217540? |access-date=10 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 17, 2006}}{{cite web |title=Riverside Golf Course |url=https://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/wa/chehalis/riverside-golf-club |website=GolfLink |access-date=25 November 2021}} Originally a nine-hole course when first constructed in 1927, it expanded to 18 holes in 1971.{{cite news |last1=Lawton |first1=Mark |title=Budget-minded golfers are a boon to local courses |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/budget-minded-golfers-are-a-boon-to-local-courses,239881? |access-date=10 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 29, 2004}} It has hosted various charity fundraisers,{{cite news |last1=Baide |first1=Matt |title=Visiting Nurses Foundation Hosts Annual $1 Million Shootout and Charity Golf Tournament |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/visiting-nurses-foundation-hosts-annual-1-million-shootout-and-charity-golf-tournament,8471? |access-date=25 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=July 19, 2019}} competitions and playoffs for local high school golf teams, and the Lewis County Amateur Championship.{{cite news |author= |title=Local Golf: Jon McCaslin Wins His Third Lewis County Amateur Title |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/local-golf-jon-mccaslin-wins-his-third-lewis-county-amateur-title,8267 |access-date=25 November 2021 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 5, 2019}}{{cite news |title=Heinricher Captures County Amateur Golf Championship |work=Centralia Daily Chronicle |date=September 28, 1953 |page=7}}

A Thousand Trails campground is situated on Centralia-Alpha Road in Chehalis, east of the community of Forest. The site was founded in 1969 and opened in 1972, becoming the first Thousand Trails resort ever built.{{cite news |last1=VanTuyl |first1=Aaron |title=A Thousand Trails for 35 YearsParty Today: Membership Camping Started in Chehalis |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/a-thousand-trails-for-35-yearsparty-today-membership-camping-started-in-chehalis,209105? |access-date=October 29, 2024 |work=The Chronicle |date=August 11, 2007}}{{cite press release |title=Thousand Trails Concludes Year-Long 50th Anniversary Celebration Year Filled with Events, Giveaways and Time Capsules |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thousand-trails-concludes-year-long-50th-anniversary-celebration-year-filled-with-events-giveaways-and-time-capsules-300977241.html |access-date=October 29, 2024 |work=PR Newswire |date=December 19, 2019}}

• List of parks and recreation in Lewis County, Washington
• List of Washington state parks
• Parks and recreation in Centralia, Washington

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.ci.chehalis.wa.us/parksandrecreation/ City of Chehalis Parks and Recreation]
• [https://experiencechehalis.com/renaissance/ Chehalis Community Renaissance Team]
• [https://chehalisfoundation.org/projects/parks-recreation/ Chehalis Foundation, Parks and Recreation]
• [https://discoverlewiscounty.com/outdoors/willapa-hills-trail/ Discover Lewis County, Willapa Hills Trail]

{{Chehalis, Washington|state=collapsed}}

Category:Parks in Lewis County, Washington

Category:Chehalis, Washington

Chehalis, Washington

Category:Hiking trails in Washington (state)