Outdoors | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Olympia announced the opening of three new dog parks including Evergreen Park, Mclane Park, and Ward Lake Parcel on Sept. 21, 2021.

Olympia opens three new off-leash dog parks

Olympia’s furry friends will have plenty of room to play as the city opened three new dog parks this week. The City of Olympia announced the opening of three new dog parks today, at the … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/21/21

This recent image of Lake Lawrence, in south Thurston County, shows a layer of algae scum that caused health officials to restrict use of the lake on Aug. 13, 2021.

Lake Lawrence again restricted due to toxic algae

County officials issued a health warning on Lake Lawrence as a result of toxic algae bloom on Fri., Sept. 17, a month after a similar warning was issued. The popular boating and … more

By The JOLT Staff | 9/17/21

Lacey City Councilmembers unanimously approved an ordinance that provides an increase in the number of general members for the Board of Park Commissioners at its meeting on Sept. 16, 2021.

Lacey council grows parks commission to seven plus one

During its regular council meeting yesterday, the Lacey City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 1601 which adds two members to the city’s Board of Park Commissioners. Parks, Culture, and … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/17/21

Olympia parks staff introduced new proposals and updates for its 2022-28 Parks, Arts, & Recreation plan. This includes the completion of the Peace and Healing park along 9th Avenue SE (top), the proposed playground renovation for Priest Point Park (bottom left)., a proposed soccer mini-pitch which will be constructed in Downtown Olympia similar to the image shown bottom row center, and the new synthetic infield at Stevens Field (bottom right).

Four new park developments planned in Olympia

The City of Olympia plans to develop four new parks as part of the city’s long-term directive to make recreational spaces more inclusive and accessible. On Thu., Sept. 9, Olympia Parks … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/16/21 | 3 comments

A bicyclist waits in the new bicycle box for the stoplight to turn green before heading east on 5th Ave in downtown Olympia on Sep. 6, 2021.

What are those green boxes painted on Simmons Street?

A year after it installed its first "bicycle box" lane, the City of Olympia added two new bicycle boxes on Simmons Street as a way to promote traffic safety. Bicycle Box Located … more

By Kristine Javier | 9/6/21

Gardens for the landless

For people who live in apartments, duplexes, tiny houses or houses with tiny yards, community gardens are the 21st century’s version of a micro homestead – one that usually comes with … more

By Jill Severn | 9/3/21 | 1 comment

The Lacey City Council, together with the Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Burbidge, discussed the recommendation to increase the number of Board of Park Commissioners from five to seven at its meeting on Sep. 2, 2021.

Lacey considers increasing the size of its parks commission

During the regular Lacey City Council meeting on Thur., Sept. 2, Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Burbidge introduced a recommendation to expand the Board of Park Commissioners from five to … more

9/3/21

A view of the public swimming area at Long Lake in Lacey, in happier days when the water quality was better and lifeguards were on duty.

Long Lake closed as water quality unsafe for humans and pets

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) warned residents to stay away from Long Lake, which lies at the eastern edge of Lacey, as the water quality remains unsafe for humans and … more

By Kristine Javier | 8/30/21

Lacey residents are being asked to comment -- via online survey -- on their preferences for programming in future parks that are part of the Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways Master Plan.

Greg Cuoio Park being studied for future development

Surrounded by wetlands and wilderness, properties that make up the Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways remain largely undeveloped, which is why the Lacey Board of Park Commissioners commissioned a Master … more

By Danny Stusser | 8/5/21 | 1 comment

Hands off the rocks

being on the right side of history is not for sissies Hikers are flooding our public … more

By Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff | 7/26/21 | 1 comment

All three proposed alternatives for the future of Capitol Lake are shown above at various tide levels.

Capitol Lake’s future in limbo again

The Washington State Department of Enterprise Services (DES) proposed to remove the 5th Avenue Dam on the Capitol Lake Deschutes Estuary at the Port of Olympia commissioners’ work session … more

By Danny Stusser | 7/20/21 | 3 comments

There are two paths found near the wall, the asphalt road leads to the trail, while the other leads to the waterfalls.

Tumwater unveils new improvements in the Deschutes Valley Trail

The City of Tumwater unveiled the new facilities and improvements for the Deschutes Valley Trail during the regular city council meeting on Tue., June 15. Tumwater Engineering … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/16/21 | 3 comments

More than 120 participants watched the 2021 Nisqually Land Trust's annual Conservation Celebration & Auction event, held online on June 5, 2021. Presenters included, top row, l-r, Jeanette Dorner, executive director of the organization, J.W. Foster, mayor of Yelm; lower row, l-r, Willie Frank III, chairman of the Nisqually Indian Tribe; Hanford McCloud, member of the Tribal Council.

Nisqually Land Trust annual Conservation Celebration highlights role of the Nisqually Tribe

On Saturday, the Nisqually Land Trust highlighted the valuable role of the Nisqually Indian Tribe in environmental conservation during its annual auction. Yelm Mayor JW Foster, and Executive … more

By Danny Stusser | 6/8/21

The proposed Log Cabin Road Extension would connect North Street-Log Cabin Road in Olympia with Herman Road-37th Ave SE in Lacey.

LBA Woods: source claims Olympia will revive talks about a road through it

Last Monday, a source claimed that the Olympia Planning Commission revived its plan for the Log Cabin road extension, a proposed street connection that would cut across the LBA Woods. According to … more

By The JOLT Staff | 6/7/21 | 2 comments

This sequence shows the bald eagle being carried from the vehicle in which it was transported back to the property where it was found, on Sun., May 23, 2021, just prior to its release. L-r, Stephanie Estrella, Mark Fleming.

Bald eagle released after brief rehab following airturf battle

Two bald eagles who lived in or near a recently clear-cut urban forest in Olympia did battle in the air last week. One needed a brief stay at a local rehabilitation center and was released yesterday … more

By Danny Stusser | 5/24/21

An American Brown Bear, the same species found in Lacey on May 8, 2021, crossing a street in Alaska.

Black bear killed by police in south Lacey

A black bear roaming the 13th fairway of the Capital City Golf Course was shot by Lacey Police this morning. Lacey Police received multiple calls regarding the bear starting at 7:37 a.m. on May 8, … more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/8/21 | 4 comments

Springtime's here but shady spots never seem to go away

The great spring surge of growth is gathering momentum. Buds are opening, the grass is taller with every passing day, and every unpaved inch of earth – even the cracks in the pavement – … more

By Jill Severn | 4/16/21

This view above Tumwater Falls was not available to the public until April 1, 2021, when the new fish hatchery and remodeled Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls reopened.

Tumwater Falls Park reopens as Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls

Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls re-opened to the public yesterday, with some new amenities and a new name -- but without new signs yet. The Olympia Tumwater Foundation closed the park last year so it … more

By Danny Stusser | 4/2/21

Look closely and you'll see a blue heron in flight near the center of the pond. It's unusual to see these birds in the city; this one was spotted at William A. Bush Park on Yelm Highway in Lacey on March 24, 2021.

Blue heron spotted in South Lacey

Scene in Thurston County: If you see something amazing or especially beautiful in Tumwater, Lacey or Olympia, and capture a reasonably decent photo, please send it to us. We're not yet … more

3/26/21

Julia Brayshaw and Kevin Head at Priest Point Park in Olympia on March 13, 2021.

Kevin and Julia and the Curse of the Ivy

I met Kevin and Julia on Saturday morning, March 13, at 8:15. We sat at a picnic table near the playground the Southwest section of Priest Point Park. I would call them local heroes. Kind, caring … more

By Denny Hamilton | 3/19/21 | 1 comment