In September, 1971 a 55 year lease was signed between the state and the city of Chehalis for this undeveloped land. With 204 acres this is the largest and newest of our city parks. The park was named in honor of Stan Hedwall who was a former park superintendent and city commissioner.
Development began in 1970 with major construction beginning in 1972 with a grant from the state's Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation. The park has approximately 104 acres of wooded land and about 100 acres of open terrain. The Newaukum river flows through the wooded area, giving the park 2¼ miles of shoreline. The river provides good fishing and rock-hounding along with a relaxing and leisurely atmosphere as it winds its way through the woods.
The park has:
- 4 softball fields
- 2 Babe Ruth fields
- 4 Little League fields
- 16 soccer areas
- volleyball court
- horseshoe pits
The RV area is normally opened from March through November. There is also a dump station.
The RV area includes:
- 29 sites
- electric, cable and water hookups
- picnic tables
- selected sites with fire pits
- rest room with showers
Other features include:
- yard waste disposal area for city limit residents
- big toy playground
- rest rooms in the center area
- playground area at the Little League field
- arboretum (known as the scout island area)
- bridge over the river
- 2 miles of road and 3 miles of trails
- outdoor pavilion
- numerous other facilities
This covered kitchen area is used extensively by local as well as out-of-town groups during spring, summer and fall.
The kitchen area: 4 sections - includes 4 fire pits, 4 picnic tables with seats, rest rooms
RECREATION PARK
221 SW 13th Street
This 12 acre park was donated to the city by the State Highway Department in 1953. This relatively small park is used intensively.
The park has:
- 4 softball fields
- historic McKinley Stump
- Fred Hess Kitchen
- V.R. Lee Community Building
- outdoor rest room
- picnic areas
- covered shelters
- basketball court
- seasonal kiddie pool
- seasonal outdoor pool
- Penny Playground
In 1992 a community wide fund raising project was started to build the Penny Playground. Through the diligent efforts, hard labor and volunteer spirit of our community the "Penny Playground" became a reality in 1993. It has since become a favorite place for both youngsters and adults.
The Virgil R. Lee Community building was built by the Chehalis Rotary Club in 1960. It was named after Virgil R. Lee who was a prominent Chehalis businessman and a member of the Rotary Club.
The Hess Kitchen was also built by the Chehalis Rotary Club in 1962. It was named after Fred Hess who was the Rotary Club chairman during the building of the V.R. Lee Community Building.
Both buildings were remodeled in 1994 and are used by local and out-of-town groups for various functions. They are also used as meeting places for city departments and other community groups
The park is surrounded by roses along the sidewalk and we receive many calls on how beautiful they are when in bloom
SWIMMING POOL
The swimming pool was built in 1959 through a bond issue approved by the city. Originally the pool was to be a covered complex and the building and surrounding wall were built with the structural strength to support a roof. As construction continued new problems kept coming up. Eventually the roof, plumbing, tunnel and exterior facade were sacrificed to insure a structurally sound facility.
1962…construction of wading pool
1964…Chehalis Brick and Tile donated brick for the building front and planter boxes. The Chehalis Rotary Club completed the work.
1970…removed back wall and the Rotary Club constructed a new deck area and rebuilt the wall to enclose the deck.
1980…old decking was replaced and a new tunnel was installed.
The Chehalis Outdoor pool employs approximately 15 seasonal staff each summer to work from the end of May to the first of September. The pool relies on local high school and college students. Our employees generally return for three to four summers which enables us to build a strong team relationship and provide quality lessons/instruction and a safe place to swim.
HENDERSON PARK
1321 S. Market Blvd
This one acre park area, formerly office space for the Department of Natural Resources, was deeded to the city in 1962 and subsequently housed the city's Community Services Department. The Community Services office and the Activity Building were remodeled in 1993. Today the office houses the Department of Economic Development, Department of Community Development, Park and Facility Division, Recreation Division and Grants Administration. The Activity Building is used for recreation programs, meetings, and is also the Emergency Operations Center when the need arises.
The park and facility division office, shop areas and maintenance sheds are also at Henderson Park. The upstairs office at one time was called the Jaycee building as that was where they held their meetings
The small green building on the corner of 13th Street and Market Boulevard is a water pump station for the Public Works Department.
There are numerous rose bushes surrounding the park which makes for a nice atmosphere.
WESTSIDE PARK
West Street
This 3/4 acre park is located in the west side of our community on West Street and was once the playground of a grade school. The school was declared unsafe after the 1949 earthquake and was demolished.
Today there is play equipment, picnic areas and a basketball court which is predominantly used by the westside residents, but also by others. The new playground equipment was a private/public partnership by the city, the Chehalis Rotary Club and with input from the neighborhood residents.
DOBSON PARK
ParkHill Drive
In 1905 the Dobson family donated to the city this 26 acres of land overlooking downtown Chehalis and the Newaukum River valley. The park was once used as a passive picnic area by many residents. Due to the lack of parking, poor road access and vandalism -- it is currently not open for public use.
Scout Lodge
The Scout Lodge located on 3rd and Adams is a part of Dobson Park. It was built in 1933 by the Work Projects Administration a federal funded employment program. This program was established to help the country get out of the depression. The Scout Lodge has been used by the Boy and Girl Scouts since its inception.
Today the department is working towards better utilization of this facility. An agreement was signed with the Civil Air Patrol for usage of the downstairs area. The Scout Lodge needs improvements in several areas to be brought up-to-date.
McFADDEN PARK
ParkHill Drive
In 1912 the McFadden family donated to the city 28 acres of land overlooking Chehalis and the Coal Creek valley. The park has trails winding through its upper 18 acres and about one mile of paved/gravel roadway.
The park at one time had a covered kitchen, 12 picnic sites, play equipment and rest rooms. It was for many years the "place to be and have fun."
Constant vandalism and excessive repair costs forced the city to close the park to the public.
MILLETT FIELD
Chehalis Avenue
In 1898 the Millett family gave to the city 3.3 acres of land at Chehalis Avenue and 3rd Street for park purposes. This was developed into a baseball field and was home of the Chehalis semi-pro team from 1906 to 1949. It was then home for a Babe Ruth program from 1950 to 1972. It was subsequently used as a main softball slowpitch field for a brief period.
The grandstands were removed in 1979 as they were rotting and becoming a public hazard.
Also located in this park are two tennis courts (one is used for basketball), and a small open area.
LINTOTT/ALEXANDER PARK
Hwy 6
This 5¾ acres of land located within a bend of the Chehalis River was donated to the city by the Alexander family in 1906 for park development. The park at one time had two covered kitchens, six picnic sites each with a fireplace, horseshoe pits, play equipment, swimming beach, wading pool, bath houses, and concession facilities. It was used quite heavily during the summer months and was considered at one time the third most used park in Chehalis.
In 1988 it became necessary to close Alexander Park to the public as vandalism was an ongoing and expensive problem. At that time the Boy Scouts of America expressed an interest to use the park for their programs. In 1989 an agreement was signed between the scouts and the city for the scouts to maintain the property during their usage. In early 1995 this agreement was terminated due to liability issues and the park was closed.
In early 2000 a new non-profit organization was created to “Benefit the Citizens and Community of Chehalis Washington”. The Chehalis Foundation chose as a project to restore the park to its status as a sparkling jewel. They received a $50,000 kick-off pledge from WF West graduate Jim Lintott in honor of his father, a former Chehalis school teacher. He has match his generous donation by an additional $50,00 that is earmarked for maintenance for the park after opening. Many other generous doners have come forward to restore the park, including $26,000 from Security State Bank; $25,000 from Title Guarantee; $10,000 from Chehalis Kiwanis for playground equipment; many, many other monetary constibutions, hundreds of hours of volunteer labor and donated services and equipment are all the foundations for the rebuilding of the park.
