Centralia Parks and Recreation Master Plan - City of Centralia, WA

♦ Today, the maintenance and rehabilitation of existing
parks is more important than the construction of new
parks.
People support their parks, but that support has to be earned on
a continuing basis. Parks and trails have to be well maintained to
be seen as safe, inviting places to go alone or with family, friends
and children. Survey responses from 2005 and 2006 made many
requests for better upkeep and maintenance of current facilities.
Also of particular interest, many people asked for more trails and
walking paths, including an extended trail system that connects
creeks systems to existing trails. Well designed paths and trails
also provide an easy means of connectivity to neighborhoods,
recreation facilities, retail businesses and schools.
It should be noted that trails deliver a lot for a little: the ratio of percapita
use to dollars spent for construction and maintenance of a wellplanned,
connective pedestrian trail makes it one of the most economically
feasible investments a community can make. It offers a wealth of healthy
social, environmental and recreational benefits, an efficient alternative to
travel by car, and is one of the most inexpensive of all facilities to
maintain.
Trails also have the potential to strengthen the city’s sense of
community. Many residents feel only a loose sense of connection
with other citizens of Centralia, let alone Chehalis and other parts
of Lewis County. There is heavy competition from video games,
TV and the Internet for the hearts and minds of younger
residents. Call it connectivity on a human scale, but our parks,
trails and waterways are places where residents and tourists alike
can go to get in touch with nature, participate in their activity of
choice, and connect with one another in healthy, life-sustaining
ways. These factors, in part, drove the development of this plan.
This report accounts for progress and community demand, and
complies with newer IAC funding requirements, GMA guidelines
and state law. It provides a fresh, streamlined Parks and
Recreation Comprehensive Plan with current findings and
recommended priorities for the next 15-20 years. Key
recommendations:
City of Centralia Parks and Recreation Plan - 4 -