City of Lacey invests in green space with Greg Cuoio Park groundbreaking 

Construction officially started on Greg Cuoio Park, a 537-acre site set to become the City of Lacey's largest park and a regional destination for outdoor recreation, during a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, March 14. 

Located off Carpenter Road just north of Interstate 5, the park will preserve a vast stretch of forest, wetlands and sensitive habitat areas while offering new public amenities.  

The park is named in honor of Greg Cuoio, Lacey’s former city manager, who served for 24 years and played a crucial role in acquiring the land for public use.   

“Greg has been a key figure in the design of this community. He had tremendous vision and provided great leadership through his many years at the city,” said City Manager Rick Walk.

“He played an instrumental role in securing these lands for public use, ensuring future generations have access to this remarkable natural space.” 

According to a city press release, Cuoio’s efforts ensured that future generations would have access to one of the largest green spaces in the region. 

The project, shaped by extensive community input, is designed to enhance the natural environment while creating new recreation opportunities for the community. 

The development follows the Greg Cuoio Park and Greenways Master Plan, completed in 2022, which emphasized the importance of open space, water quality protection and maintaining natural landscapes.  

City officials said the park represents a rare opportunity to both protect the environment and provide much-needed outdoor facilities for residents and visitors.  

Initial stages 

Park construction will take place in multiple phases, with Phase 1A covering 139 acres.  

This initial stage will include a large, inclusive and accessible playground designed to accommodate visitors of all abilities.  

Around 2 miles of paved and soft-surface trails will provide walking and biking opportunities, connecting different parts of the park while allowing visitors to enjoy the natural surroundings.  

An 18-hole disc golf course will add a new recreational option.  

In addition to those features, Phase 1A will include a large picnic shelter for gatherings, a flexible open space for various community activities and portable restrooms to accommodate visitors.  

The project will also establish a new entrance from Carpenter Road, complete with 75 parking spaces and informational signage to guide visitors.  

Construction is already underway, with a tentative opening set for fall. 

The estimated cost for Phase 1A is $6.5 million. To help fund the project, the city secured nearly $1 million in grants, including a $499,550 state legislative appropriation and $500,000 from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program - Local Parks fund. 

The park’s long-term vision includes additional amenities beyond Phase 1A. Residents are encouraged to stay engaged with project updates.