Grass Lake Nature Park in Olympia reopens after improvements completed 

The City of Olympia's Parks, Arts & Recreation Department announced it has completed several infrastructure improvements at Grass Lake Nature Park, and is it open for the public to enjoy. 

The park now includes a 1.1 -mile paved trail and a 365-foot boardwalk, providing improved access to the park’s wetland areas and trail system. An 11-space parking area has been added along Kaiser Road, including spots designated for Americans with Disabilities Act access and bus parking. 

With the additions, the trail network at the roughly 200-acre park has nearly doubled in length.  

The boardwalk runs near the headwaters of Green Cove Creek, an area known for its intact wetland ecosystem. Grass Lake Nature Park is home to a wide range of wildlife, including more than 100 bird species. 

The park improvements aim to increase accessibility and expand recreational opportunities, as well as enhance mobility access and support environmental education activities, the department said.

 Funding for the improvements came from a combination of Olympia Metropolitan Park District funds and a grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. The public art installed as part of the project was taken from Olympia’s 1% funding for art program.