Edgewater Park is a relatively undeveloped 2.8-acre linear park on the shore of Lake Steilacoom. The park includes a small boat ramp and grass area. It is largely used by residents of the surrounding neighborhood.
Edgewater Park Master Plan
The City of Lakewood created a master plan for the future of the site. The plan identifies future improvements and upgrades to the property. The plan was created with public input. Its creation allows the City to apply for outside grant funding to pay for necessary improvements. The park has largely been untouched since Lakewood incorporation in 1996.
In 2019 the City of Lakewood began preparations to update the park master plan. In 2023 that work expanded to community outreach to hear from neighbors and users of the park what they want to see. Public meetings were held with the volunteer Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Those meetings continued into 2024. The advisory board made its recommendation to the Lakewood City Council in the spring of 2024. The Lakewood City Council adopted the recommendation in April 2024.
Adopted Master Plan
The image below shows the adopted Edgewater Park master plan. Funding to complete the improvements is outlined in the city’s Parks Captial Improvement Program for 2025 to 2027.
Below is a timeline of improvements on site and development of the master plan, including the public engagement process.
- 2004: The City worked with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife to replace the aging boat launch at Edgewater Park. Adjacent street improvements were not made at the time to change the access to the launch.
- 2018 – 2019: To prepare for a grant cycle to fund public park improvements, the City and members of the all-volunteer Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) met with neighbors and community members. A series of meetings on-site and at City Hall were held to review site issues. City staff and advisory board members listened to community concerns. You can view the public comments here (PDF). Ideas for future improvements were also brainstormed. Several draft plans were created for review. Community members shared what they liked and disliked regarding each option. From this, a draft preferred master plan was created.
- 2019: The City began preliminary work to prepare the draft master plan for review and grant needs. A site survey identified several encroachment issues at the park. The most significant encroachment is at the south end of the site.
- 2020 – 2021: An arborist report was completed and dangerous trees were removed from the park.
- 2020 – 2023: The City began working with an adjacent property owner to identify issues and possible solutions. This work and conversation continued from 2020-2023.
- 2023: The Lakewood City Council authorized the acquisition of property for park improvement purposes.
- 2023: City staff updated the draft master plan to prepare for future grant cycles to help pay for future improvements. Community input was included. The volunteer Parks and Recreation Advisory Board participated in the process. The board provided a recommendation to the City Council for review and consideration in preparation of applying for various grants in 2024.
- 2024: The Lakewood City Council held multiple meetings to review the park board recommendation. Meetings included an opportunity to hear from the public. The City Council adopted the Edgewater Master Plan update in April 2024. The project is funded in the city’s 2025-2027 Parks Capital Improvement Plan.
Public Meetings
The Lakewood Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) hosted a meeting to review the preferred plan for the Edgewater Park Master Plan update on Tuesday March 26 from 5:30-7 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall. Their recommendation for the draft Edgewater Park Master Plan was presented to City Council during the study session on April 8, 2024.
Click this link to see the preferred alternative design
Watch the meeting
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held a public meeting Feb. 6, 2024 to review proposed design alternatives for Edgewater Park. The public was invited to attend and offer feedback on the proposals.
View the PowerPoint presentation (PDF), which includes the three alternatives.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board held a public meeting October 24, 2023.