Lacey considers budget to build phase one of Greg Cuoio Park

Construction of Greg Cuoio Park Phase 1A will cost $3 to $5 million over five years, according to the parks director.

Speaking at the Lacey Board of Park Commissioners meeting yesterday, Lacey Director of Parks, Culture, and Recreation Jen Burbidge said that after the City Council's contract approval with HBB Landscape Architecture of Seattle for Phase 1A's design, the commission will now work on the five-year financial plan.

"We only have a design budget right now, which is $784,000; that's for the design only," Burbidge said. "We think that construction will be somewhere between $3 and $5 million."

Burbidge said the City would also work with the South Puget Sound Disc Golf Association to design the first 18 holes, which is part of Phase 1A.

"We are on track for groundbreaking in fall of 2023," Burbidge said, adding that the first draft for grant applications to the Recreation and Conservation Office is due in May.

Phase 1A includes design and planning services for future bidding, physical work for two driveway entrances, an 18-hole disc golf course, and the initial phase of a playground, Lacey capital projects engineer Ashley Smith said at the city council meeting in March.

Smith said the driveways would include entrances for emergency vehicles and public access with parking stalls.

Launched in April 2021, the Master Plan anticipates multiple phases of work to make accessible the 537-acre combined Greg Cuoio Park, Pleasant Glade Park, and Palm Creek Headwaters. The project is located between the Crossroads and Hawk's Prairie neighborhoods, north of I-5. 

After a "community-focused" process, the Council approved the Master Plan for the Greg Cuoio Park & Greenways on February 3.

UPDATED:  April 7, 2022, 9 p.m. A previous version of this story referred to the Board of Parks Commissioners.  The correct name of the panel is the Board of Park Commissioners. Our reporter informed us that the commissioners mentioned during the meeting yesterday that they will consider recommending the renaming of the commission soon. We regret the error.