New pedestrian bridge unveiled at Woodland Creek Community Park in Lacey

The City of Lacey reopened the pedestrian crossing over Woodland Creek, in turn restoring full access to Woodland Creek Community Park. 

The new bridge reconnects Karen Fraser Woodland Trail with the park’s disc golf course after replacing the 40-year-old bridge that had deteriorated to the point where it was not safe to use. 

According to the city’s announcement about the project completion on Thursday, Oct. 23, the bridge “creates a safer, stronger, and more accessible connection between the park, disc golf course, and the Karen Fraser Woodland Trail.” 

The city added that the bridge had already drawn visitors returning to traverse the renewed crossing. Pedestrians, dog walkers, and even a barred owl were sighted along the span within its first day of reopening. 

As reported by The JOLT News earlier this month, the replacement was handled under the City of Lacey’s Capital Improvement Program after engineering review determined the former 22-foot, timber log-stringer bridge had exceeded its service life expectancy. Trail users had been detoured during dismantling work in 2024. 

The city encourages visitors to “stop by the park and see the new bridge,” while fall scenery surrounds one of Lacey’s busiest park corridors.