Funding Measure Approved By Voters.
On September 14, 2004, Olympia voters approved a funding measure for parks and recreation facilities that will be paid for by a three percent increase to the private utility tax.  The tax is estimated to generate about $2.9 million per year.

With these funds, sidewalks will be built so people can more easily walk within their neighborhoods, and future parks sites will be acquired and developed. 

For more information about projects being paid for with the Parks and Pathways money, visit our sidewalks projects page and our parks projects page. 

What We Plan to Accomplish in 2008:

• Purchase a 3-acre Neighborhood Park site to serve the Hanson School area;
• Purchase a 2.3-acre Neighborhood Park site to serve the Pioneer School area;
• Complete IUMP improvements at Buchanan, Cain Road and Evergreen Neighborhood Parks;
• Acquire a 4-acre Neighborhood Park site to serve the Lilly Road area;
• Construct sidewalks on:
  • San Francisco Avenue;
  • Decatur Street.

What We Have Accomplished So Far: Since voter approval in September 2004, we have accomplished the following: 

In 2005 Parks & Pathways:

• Purchased the 4-acre Evergreen Park Drive Neighborhood Park site;
• Constructed sidewalks on:
  • Bush Street;
  • Bigelow Avenue;
  • Brawne Avenue.

In 2006 Parks & Pathways:

• Sold $9.8 million in bonds to fund land acquisition and development;
• Purchased the 4-acre 8th Avenue Neighborhood Park site;
• Constructed sidewalks on:
  • Miller Avenue;
  • San Francisco Avenue;

In 2007 Parks & Pathways:

• Purchased the 15.5-acre West Bay park site;
• Purchased a parcel to expand the Heritage Park Fountain Block;
• Purchased the 4-acre Henderson Road Neighborhood park site;
• Purchased the 10-acre Ward Lake Community Park site;
• Purchased the 2.2-acre Madison Scenic Park site;
• Purchased 8 acres to expand the Grass Lake Refuge;
• Completed Interim Use & Management Plan (IUMP) improvements at Mission Creek and Marie’s Vineyard neighborhood park;
• Constructed a sidewalk on Quince Street.

Contact Information:
Parks Information:

• Dave Okerlund, Associate Planner
• City of Olympia, Parks, Arts & Recreation Department
• Phone: (360) 570-5855
• Email Parks 

Sidewalk Design and Construction Information:

• Sheri Zimny, Project Manager
• City of Olympia, Public Works Department
• Phone: (360) 709-2734
• Email Public Works

• Sophie Stimson, Sidewalk Program Lead
• City of Olympia, Public Works Department
• Phone: (360) 753-8497
• E-Mail: Email Public Works

Need More Information?  Contact the Public Works office.

• Physical Address: 924 7th Ave. SE, Suite A 
• Mailing Address:  PO Box 1967, Olympia, WA 98507
• Download printer-friendly (PDF) directions to our office
• Hours:  Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except for City-recognized holidays)
• Phone: (360) 753-8588
• TTY: (360) 753-8270
• Email:  Public Works