Want to name a park?

The City of Lacey has begun the process of obtaining a 67-acre park in the Hawks Prairie area, the first city park north of Interstate Five.

The land, originally part of of the Rancho Sereno housing development of 314 single-family homes, is currently in foreclosure and available for purchase by the city.

It’s located in the 2600 block of Carpenter Road North and was once owned by Bob Blume who wanted to build a golf course on the property.   Its current owner, until foreclosure is Tri Vo.   The estimated value of the property is $1.8 to $2.6 million.

But, its a long way from a done deal.   Purchase of the property depends on grants from several different sources.

The city will apply for a $1 million grant from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program.  The state grant requires a 50 percent local match.  LaceyParks Director Lori Flemm said the city’s grant is just one of 197 grants that will be evaluated to determine a ranked order.  “But don’t underestimate us,” she said.

Other possible sources of monies  include Parks and Open Spaces funds, Thurston County Conservation Futures fund, and $200,000 in Conservation Future Funds.

Flemm also said that if someone wanted to donate 50 percent of the cost of the park, the city might be willing to name it after them.