"The people who live on Cooper Point generally feel that it's an underserved area for park service. There's been a long-standing desire by people who live out there to have more park service," said Eric Johnson, president of the Cooper Point Homeowners Association.
That's why one of the association's top priorities this year is seeking out park possibilities. Members had speakers from Thurston County address the issue at the association's annual meeting. They also set up a committee to look into the matter.
Thurston County Parks Director Michael Welter said the county is aware of the area's lack -- and might even be able to do something about it.
The county Park Board voted last month to recommend adding the acquisition of park property in the Cooper Point area to the county capital facilities plan. That recommendation would need approval by the county Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners to become a reality.
Should that happen, the county could look at properties over the next six years.
Should the county build a park, it would be a regional facility -- ideally about 50 acres in size, though parcels as small as 20 acres could be considered, Welter said.
"We're not in the neighborhood park business," he said.
Should residents in the area want a smaller park, they would have to look to the city of Olympia, as a small portion of Cooper Point is in the city's Urban Growth Area.
City Parks Director David Hanna said that would still take the county's cooperation, as the area hasn't been annexed into the city. That could come in the form of shared financing or smoothing regulatory hurdles, he said.
In addition, residents there should approach the city soon -- even if they don't have any specifics in mind, he said. That's because the city is in the process of melding a park, arts and recreation plan with its comprehensive plan, and the Cooper Point area is not on it at this point, he said. That process should be complete in July.
Mike Ramsey, the association's parks subcommittee chairman, said depending on the city or county are just two of four options. The association also could create a partnership with one of the jurisdictions to operate a park, or it could spearhead a drive to form a new park district in which residents tax themselves to acquire and maintain a park. The latter option would be a last resort, as it's the most complex, he said.
Before pursuing any of those options, however, residents on Cooper Point need to come to consensus on what kind of park they'd like -- one with ball fields, grassy areas, a nature trail, a play area with picnic benches or something else, he said.
"You have to identify some sort of a vision that satisfies the largest number of people," Johnson agreed, adding that a meeting of the minds is "liable to be reasonably difficult."
Ramsey said the subcommittee's work is in the beginning stages, but it is considering a survey to solicit ideas.
After all, most residents already agree that a park would be a boon to the area, he said.
"Socially out here," he said, "it would be nice to have a gathering spot where people can come together."
Does your neighborhood have a story for Our Neighborhoods? If you have a special event, are tackling a tough issue or are planning a project, let us know. Call or e-mail Communities Editor Jerre Redecker at 360-754-5422 or jredecke@olympia.gannett. com. Our Neighborhoods runs Thursdays in Communities.
- Demographics: Mixed among families, retired and empty nesters also young couples, single people.
- Geography: About 16.5 square miles.
- Police: Thurston County Sheriff's Office
- Fire: McLane Fire District No. 9
- Schools: Marshall and Jefferson middle schools, Capital High School
- Contact: Cooper Point Association, Eric Johnson, president, ripfence@attbi.com.