Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
County Contacts
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Thurston County Washington

Public Works

Parks & Trails

Playground in a green grass field

Reserve a Facility

Thurston County Parks and Trails has a facility reservation system featuring real-time calendar viewing for reservation requests, email correspondence for approving park reservations, and secure credit card processing. Click on the Reservations button to reserve a park shelter or the Kenneydell Lodge today!

Reservations

County-owned public spaces include:

 Follow us on X for maintenance & additional Parks and Trails updates and announcements.

Off-leash Dog Park

Parking for the dog park is open from 7:00 AM to dusk, seven days a week.

The Off-leash Dog Park is operated by the Solid Waste Division of Thurston County Public Works and is located within the boundaries of the Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) on Hogum Bay Road.

It features a special area for small dogs, water stations, a sand and gravel area for digging, paths and fencing. The parking lot is inside the gate to the WARC next to Closed Loop Park.

Black River-Mima Prairie Glacial Heritage Preserve

The Black River-Mima Prairie Glacial Heritage Preserve, known as Glacial Heritage, is an excellent example of the Puget Prairie ecosystem which greeted the settlers of the 1800s. Only 2.6% of this type of ecosystem still exists. Thurston County Parks was fortunate to acquire this unique property.

With the exception of Thurston County Parks sponsored events, the park is currently closed to public use. Arrangements may be made in advance to access this site for educational or environmental activities.

Requests should be made by contacting Parks at (360) 786-5595.

Park Use Guidelines

To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, please follow these rules:

  • Supervise children closely.
  • Stay on the paths and designated areas.
  • Be aware of uneven surfaces.
  • Leash and clean up after your pet.
  • Parks are for day use only.
  • Gates are locked at dusk.
  • Park in designated parking and remove your car before closing hours.

For the safety and comfort of all visitors, the following are not allowed in Thurston County Parks:

  • Bonfires
  • Loudspeakers
  • Fireworks
  • Hunting
  • Firearms
  • Livestock
  • Bounce houses
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Metal detectors
  • Smoking / Vaping of any product

More Parks in Thurston County

Closed Loop Park

City of Lacey Parks and Recreation

City of Olympia Parks and Recreation

City of Tumwater Parks and Recreation

Washington State Parks

National Park Service 

Additional Resources

Low Waste Event Guide

Safe Kids Thurston County

Health and toxic algae alerts (including shellfish health conditions and algae advisories)

Parks, Open Space, and Trails Plan (POST)

Wildflowers on The Yelm-Tenino Trail -- Guidebook