Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Indian Reservation’s

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Park and Recreation Plan

Jenee Penn

Planner

3/26/2014

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation’s Comprehensive Park and

Recreation Plan

Chehalis Tribal Business Committee

Chairman: David Burnett

Vice Chairman: Hector “Barnaby” Canales

Secretary: Cheryle Starr

Treasurer: Farley Youckton

Fifth Council Member: Daniel “Bones” Gleason

Chehalis Tribe’s Park Planning Team

Christibeth Burnett

Christine Ortivez

Calvin Cayenne

Evelynn Penn

Diane Devlin

Jamie Smith

Jason Gillie

Beverly Starr

Andria Hawkes

Joyce Thomas

Dustin Klatush

Derek Youckton

Elaine McCloud

Melvin Youckton

Joyleen McCrory

Philip Youckton

Anthony Olney

Theresa Youckton

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Table of Contents

Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….….3

Community Profile…………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Demand and Need Analysis….…………………………………………………………………………………….…8

Inventory…………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………….14

Community Center…………………………………………………………………………………………….16

Park on Makum…..…………………………………………………………………………………………….17

Tomahawk Stadium.………………………………………………………………………………………….18

Legends Field Complex.…………………………………………………………………………………….19

Vosper Community Park..………………………………………………………………………………….20

Sidewalks……….…..…………………………………………………………………………………………….21

Recreation Sites Near Reservation…………………………………………………………………………………22

Public Involvement……………………………………………………………………………………………………..…24

Youth Survey Analysis……………………………………………………………………………………….24

Adult Survey Analysis………………………………………………………………………………………..30

Goals and Objectives………………….…………………………………………………………………………………38

Five Year Objectives…………………..……………………………………..………………………..…….40

Short Term Objectives………………………………….…………………………………………………..41

Potential Capital Projects……………………………………………….…………………………………..43

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Introduction

The Chehalis Tribe’s Park and Recreation Plan serves as an expression of the community’s

objectives, needs and priorities for recreational planning. This plan was developed in

conformance with the Washington Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) to

provide a framework and objectives for the comprehensive park and recreation planning for the

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Indian Reservation.

To anticipate the needs of a changing community, the Plan balances present deficiencies in the

recreation system with future needs and requirements. This analysis of the Tribe’s park and

recreation system focuses on the projected characteristics and economic base of the community

and provides the basis for federal and state financial assistance.

In compliance with the requirements of the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office

(RCO) all elements necessary to qualify the Tribe for recreation funding are included in this plan:

Goals and Objectives

Inventory of existing sites and facilities

Public Involvement

Demand and need analysis

Capital Improvement Program

Local adoption

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Community Profile

The Confederated

Tribes of the Chehalis

Washington State

Indian Reservation is

located in southwest

Washington State,

approximately 26 miles

Spokane

Seattle

southwest from

Olympia, the state

capital. The Chehalis

Chehalis Indian

Reservation

Olympia

Centralia

Yakima

Tribe traditionally lived

within the Chehalis

River watershed,

stretching from the

foothills of the Cascade Mountains to the Pacific Ocean in Southwest Washington. Modern day

Aberdeen, Olympia and Centralia are all within the Tribe’s aboriginal area.

The reservation is a rural agricultural community with low density residential dwellings, farms,

prairies, forest and wetlands located in both Grays Harbor and Thurston counties. The Chehalis

Reservation is dominated by the current and historical paths taken by the Chehalis and Black

Rivers. The current river channels within the reservation contain approximately 10 river miles of

the Chehalis River and approximately 3 river miles of the Black River. There are many wetlands,

sloughs and oxbow ponds that are remnants of old river channels. The climate is maritime with

cool, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The annual precipitation is 47 inches.

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The 4,849 acre Chehalis Reservation is a mix of

tribally owned land, individual-owned land and fee

land. Before European Contact, the Chehalis people

occupied all land in the Chehalis Basin, living in

multiple villages along the Chehalis River and its

tributaries. In 1864 the Chehalis Reservation was set

aside for the tribe. Land allotments were given to

Chehalis tribal member head-of-households to build

homesteads and establish farms. These allotments

were held in trust by the Bureau of Indian Affairs with

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the land belong to the allottee and his heirs in perpetuity, inalienable and nontaxable.

Additional land on the reservation was set aside for public use by all enrolled tribal member for

a school and community buildings .

Through the year land ownership has

changed on the Chehalis Reservation. Some

allotments were sold to non-Indians. Allotments

that were still owned by the original Indian-allottee

and their heirs now have multiple owners as the

descendents of the original owner have increased.

Some properties on the Chehalis Reservation now

have over 200 owners, all the children,

grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great

grandchildren of the original allottee.

Land ownership has changed over the years. The Chehalis Tribe actively purchases lands

for the benefit of tribal members. Lands purchased include land in the tribe’s usual and

accustomed areas as well as properties for the tribe’s economic sustainability. In 2011, the tribe’s

reservation boundaries expanded by 214 acres.

Land Owned by the Chehalis Tribal Government as of 2014

Grays Harbor County

Thurston County

Total

Reservation

Trust

Fee

1,258

316

1,574

343

122

465

1,525

399

1,924

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The Chehalis Reservation is home to 649 individuals based on 2010 census estimates, with the

majority of houses on the eastern portion of the reservation. The Tahown housing

development was constructed in the 70’s. Homeowners

were able to purchase single-family homes through a

Housing and Urban Development program. The Davis

Reservation

649

Population

Number of Homes 199

Average Family Size 3.95

housing development is composed of all rental

properties. In the Davis housing complex there are apartments, duplexes, townhouses and

single-family homes. The newest addition to tribal housing on the reservation is to the western

portion of the reservation in the Vosper neighborhood. In Vosper, there are 10 apartments and

11 houses. Development on the eastern portion of the reservation has reached capacity and

future housing development will have to take place on the western portion of the reservation.

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Demand and Needs Analysis

The majority (56%) of the people residing on

the reservation are under the age of 25 and

41% of the population is younger than 18.

The average age of residents of the Chehalis

Reservation is 22 versus 37 in Washington.

With a younger population than the state,

future design efforts should take into account the younger user age.

Ages of Chehalis Tribal Members

Total enrolled members in 2013

875

0–9

159

10 – 19

166

20 – 29

157

30 – 39

118

40 – 49

108

50 – 59

60 – 69

70 – 79

80+

Source: Chehalis Tribal Enrollment

The median income of Chehalis tribal members is

$30,000. This is 28 percent lower than the Washington

State median income of $48,438 according to Census

The Chehalis Tribal population

is younger than the population

of Washington State with most

(56%) under the age of 25.

2000 data.

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Number of Responses

Annual Income

Income

Source: Chehalis Reservation Community Assessment Survey, 2009

The Chehalis Reservation has a growth rate of about 17%. This is almost double the average

population growth for white residents of the United States of America according to the 2010

census.

Total Tribal Member Population

Total Population in 2014

894

Population growth

17%

Projected Growth by 2024

1046

Projected Growth by 2034

1234

Households and Families on the Reservation

Total Households in 2010

213

Average Household Size in 2010

3.71

Household Growth Since 2000

24%

Projected Households in 2020

264

Total Families in 2010

165

Average Family size in 2010

3.95

Family Growth since 2000

63.0%

Projected Families in 2020

269

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According to United States Census Bureau Estimates residents of the Chehalis Reservation have

a much larger household size than Washington state; 3.71 compared to 2.5 individuals per

house.

The Chehalis Tribe has designated Level

of Service Goals to meet the unique

needs of Chehalis Tribal community in

the following categories: Community

Parks, Community Center,

Sidewalks/Trails and Baseball/Softball

Community Parks (acres)

Deficiency 2014

# needed to meet goal 2034

# needed to meet goal 2014

Level of Service Goal

Level of Service per 1000

Fields.

0.8

5.2

7.2

-5.2

50000

60000

Sidewalks/Trails (miles)

-8

Baseball/Softball Fields (fields)

2.4

-2

Community Center (square feet)

There are many recreational activities of interest to Tribal Members on the Chehalis Indian

Reservation. P o p u l a r r ecreational activities include basketball, baseball, all terrain vehicle

use and fishing.

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

Basketball- The Chehalis

Tribe hosts men’s, coed

and youth basketball

tournaments throughout

the year. Tournaments

are usually native only,

and the Chehalis Tribe

competes against

neighboring tribes. The games are played in the Tribe’s Community Center Gym where there is

plenty of room for the many spectators. To prepare for tournaments basketball players

participate in weekly open gym practices. One popular annual event is the Harlem Crowns game.

The Harlem Crowns travel the country and perform pranks while playing basketball to increase

awareness about substance abuse issues. The Chehalis tribe has a youth basketball team, a coed

teen team, a coed boy’s team and several men’s teams.



Baseball- The most popular recreational activity historically for tribal members is baseball and

softball. The Chehalis Tribe hosts an event called “Tribal Days” held over Memorial Day weekend.

During this event, tribes from all over western

Washington travel to compete in men’s hardball, co-ed

softball and women’s softball tournaments. It is

Baseball has been the most

popular recreational activity

for tribal members

historically.

estimated that a thousand people attend this event

every year. Additional memorial baseball tournaments and wooden bat tournaments are held

each summer, as they have been for more than 100 years. The Chehalis The tournament winners

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are awarded jackets and sweatshirts. Vendors fill the parking

lot to sell fish, fry bread, beadwork and artwork. The baseball

tournaments are a social event attended by children, families

and elders in the community. Bleachers are packed and often

the games are standing room only.



FishingTribal members utilize the Chehalis River for harvesting salmon

and steelhead, in their usual and accustomed fishing sites, as

has been done for many generations.

Tribal members utilize the Chehalis River for harvesting salmon

and steelhead, in their usual and accustomed fishing sites, as

has been done for many generations. The principle fish

harvested are: Spring Chinook Salmon, Fall Chum Salmon,

Fall/Summer Chinook Salmon and Winter Steelhead. The

length of fishing seasons is determined by the tribe’s fishing

committee. The Chehalis Tribe has always been concerned

about maintaining a healthy level of salmon, and ensuring that

salmon are available for future generations. Tribal members

who want to fish on the reservation must purchase a fishing

license each year. The licenses are only available to Chehalis

Tribal members.

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For years, tribal members have used an informal boat launch on the river. Presently a formal

boat launch has been designed. After required permits are obtained, the boat launch will be

constructed.



All Terrain Vehicle UseIn recent years, all terrain vehicle (ATV) use

has increased. Trails used by ATVs are

scattered across the reservation. Most of the

ATV use occurs in the prairie. With the many

woodland areas and prairies, recreational ATV

use has become quite popular in the

community. Presently there are no formal

ATV trails. All the trails that exist have been

made by users.

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Inventory

Existing park and recreation facilities provide the basis for the Tribe to develop a parks and

recreation plan. The inventory of sites and facilities accesses their location, quantity and

quality, and provides the basis for comparing the existing supply against present and projected

future demand for recreation sites and facilities.

Recreational Facilities on the Chehalis Reservation

Most of the recreational facilities are in the area surrounding the tribal center, on the eastern

portion of the reservation. Only the Vosper Community Park is located on the western portion

of the reservation. In fact six of the existing facilities are with one mile of each other. Only one

park, the Vosper Community Park, exists on the Eastern portion of the reservation.

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Facility Amenities

Baseball

Field

Community

Center

Park on

Makum

Tomahawk

Stadium

Legends Field

Complex

Vosper

Community

Park

Niederman

Sidewalk

Howanut

Sidewalk

Softball

Field

Indoor

Basketball

Outdoor

Basketball

Pathway

Play

Ground

Swimming

Pool

Bathrooms

The service area for the park and recreational facilities on the reservation is the 3 counties

surrounding the reservation: Grays Harbor, Lewis and Thurston Counties. The reservation is

located in the Southeast corner or Grays Harbor County and the Southwest corner of Thurston

County more than thirty minutes away from major population centers in either county. There

are 875 tribal members living mostly in the three counties near

the reservation.

To assess the condition of facilities, the Park Planning Team

met and discussed deficiencies. Suggestions for improvements

to facilities are listed under each facility description.

The Chehalis Reservation has one indoor recreational facility,

the Community Center. There is a Park on Makum Court with playground equipment.

Tomahawk Stadium and Legends Field Complex are the two areas tribal member can play

baseball or softball games. A community park is in the process of being constructed in the

Vosper Community. There are two sidewalks on Niederman and Howanut Road.

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Square Feet

Capacity

Location

50,000

2500 people

Secena Road on the western portion of the

reservation

Description- The community center has an outdoor basketball

court, indoor 1,767 sq ft swimming pool and indoor bathrooms.

This 50,000 sq ft building was constructed in 2009. Approximately

2,500 people could safely use this facility at the same time but

rarely are there more than 400 people. There are two gyms, a

workout room, a gathering room and educational classrooms.

Various programs on the reservation offer classes to the tribal

community. Often classes are held at the Community Center, but

space is utilized at the Tribal Center and the Elder’s Center as well.

Some of the traditional classes offered include weaving, beading,

cradle board making, regalia making and carving. There are also

from time to time fitness classes offered including water aerobics

and Pilates. This facility has ADA accessible access, including pool

access, and ADA compliant restrooms.

AmenitiesADA Compliant Restrooms

Pool

Workout Room

Locker rooms with showers

Pool

ConditionStrengthsNewer facility

Drinking fountains

WeaknessesRoof leaks

No formal fitness classes

Access to facility

Annual Maintenance and Operational Costs$60,800

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Acreage

Capacity

Location

100 people

Makum Lane on the western portion of the

reservation

Description- After nearly 30 years, the Chehalis Tribe updated

playground equipment on Makum court in 2012. The new

playground equipment features a swing set, with an ADA accessible

swing, standard swings and toddler swings. To accommodate

children of all abilities there are several ground level play elements.

For younger children there is a separate toddler play area with

rocking toys and teeter-totter. The park on Makum has a large

climbing toy for older children with a climbing wall, rope bridge and

multiple slides.

AmenitiesPicnic table

Benches

Garbage cans

ConditionStrengthsNew playground Equipment

WeaknessesNo paths/walkways

Bark fall material

No park specific maintenance

No restrooms

Annual Maintenance and Operational Costs- $4,900

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Acreage

Capacity

Location

3.3

100 people

Makum Lane on the western portion of the

reservation

Description- In the early 1900’s, the Tribe constructed a baseball and

softball field at Tomahawk Stadium. There are five bleachers for

seating approximately 250 people. Annually, the Chehalis Tribe

hosts an event called “Tribal Days” held over the Memorial Day

Weekend. During this event, tribes from all over western

Washington travel to compete in men’s hardball, co-ed softball and

women’s softball tournaments. It is estimated that 1000 people

attended this event and nine men’s hardball teams, eleven women’s

softball teams, and thirteen co-ed softball teams competed in this

event in 2011 at Tomahawk Stadium. There is a fish pit to cook

salmon traditionally over a fire. No restrooms exist at this facility.

AmenitiesPicnic table

Bleachers

Garbage cans

ConditionStrengthsLights on men’s ball field

WeaknessesNo Restrooms

Old bleachers

No park specific maintenance

No lights on women’s field

Annual Maintenance and Operational Costs-$7,100

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Acreage

Capacity

Location

7.4

500 people

Secena Road on the western portion of the

reservation

Description- In 2013, the Chehalis Tribe constructed a new baseball

and softball field complex. The new Legends Field Complex features

a playground, covered picnic area, softball field, baseball field,

restrooms and a concession stand.

AmenitiesPicnic table

Benches

Garbage cans

Shelter/picnic area

Bleachers

Playground Equipment

ConditionStrengthsNew playground Equipment

WeaknessesNo lights

Bark fall material

No park specific maintenance

Annual Maintenance and Operational Costs- $6,300

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Acreage

Capacity

Location

166 people

Sickman Loop on the western half of the

reservation

Description- In 2013, the Chehalis Tribe constructed a playground for

residents of the Vosper neighborhood. The new playground

equipment included swings, slides, spinning toys as well as a variety

of climbing features and toys for younger children. Benches and

picnic tables are installed for families to enjoy the playground

together.

AmmenitiesPicnic table

Benches

Garbage cans

Playground Equipment

ConditionStrengthsNew playground Equipment

WeaknessesNo lights

Bark fall material

No park specific maintenance

Annual Maintenance and Operational Costs- $4,900

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Miles

Capacity

Location

2 miles of sidewalk and .6 miles of walk-able

shoulder

500 people

Secena Road on the western portion of the

reservation

DescriptionThere are 2 miles of sidewalks on the Chehalis Reservation. There is

a .6 mile portion of walk-able shoulder on Anderson Road.

Residents of the Tahown and Davis neighborhood can walk down

sidewalks to Makum Park and Tomahawk Stadium. There are no

sidewalk or shoulder to connect residents of these two

neighborhoods to the Community Center or Legends Field Complex.

In the Vosper housing area, there is a .2 mile sidewalk enabling

pedestrian access the Vosper Community Park.

AmmenitiesBenches

Garbage cans

ConditionStrengthsSeparation from traffic

Green strip

WeaknessesNo connection to Community

Center

No Connection to Oakville

Annual Maintenance and Operational Costs-$5,000

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Recreation Sites Near the Reservation

Brandt City Park: Located in the City of Oakville, about five miles from the reservation, this park

features playground equipment for children under five and an outdoor basketball court.

Grays Harbor County Fairgrounds: The fairgrounds are a multi-use facility located in Elma

approximately 20 miles from the Chehalis Tribal Center and are maintained mostly by funds

generated by user fees and rentals. A number of horse stalls, race track, grandstand and multipurpose pavilion are all housed on the fairgrounds. In addition to the annual Grays Harbor

County Fair, a variety of events are hosted at the fairgrounds including auto races, dog shows

and swap meets.

Capitol Sate Forest: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Capitol Forest

manages the more than 84,000 acres of forest. One entrance to this state park is

approximately 10 miles from the Chehalis Tribal Center. The forest is ideal for camping,

picnicking, off road vehicle and horseback riding. Recreational shooting and hunting is

permitted in Capital State Forest. Various trails are utilized for hiking and mountain biking.

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Great Wolf Lodge: The Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park is located in Grant mound

Washington, approximately 15 miles from the reservation. The Great Wolf Lodge is a hotel with

a 56,000 square feet indoor water park with water slides, wave pool and hot tub.

Vance Creek Park: Located about 20 miles from the Chehalis Tribal Center, this park contains 3

freshwater lakes. This park has ADA accessible restrooms, lakes for swimming and fishing,

playground, picnic tables and a paved trail.

Schafer State Park: Schafer State Park is about 34 miles from the Chehalis Tribal Center. This

119 acre park has swimming areas and camp sites along the Satsop River.

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Public Involvement

To assess the tribal community’s perception of park and recreational facilities and/or activities

needs two surveys were administered. One survey was given to youth ages 5 to 18 and another

survey was given to adults. Youth participation was recruited at the Chehalis Tribe’s Youth

Center. The Youth Center operates a very popular after school program. Additional youth

participants were recruited at a community park planning meeting. To avoid duplication of

youth responses, names of respondents were collected and maintained.

Youth Survey Analysis

Forty-seven youth completed the 8

question youth survey at the Chehalis

Tribal Community Center. Children

under the age of eight were asked

questions orally and their verbal

responses were recorded. Children

ages 9 and older completed the

survey independently.

Q1: How old are you?

Responses

Percent

Number

age 5-8

49%

ages 9-12

25.5%

ages 12-18

25.5%

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Q2: What do you like about the parks

on the reservation?

Number Percent

Swings

30%

It is fun

15%

Toys

13%

Slides

Q3: What would you change about the parks?

Add Monkey Bars

Add more swings

Nothing

Make them bigger

Add a slide

More for older kids

The frog

The seesaw

Kids like swings the best

but would like to see more

monkey bars added to

parks.

Number

Percent

15%

There were numerous responses to the third survey question. Many of the changes suggested

were only listed by one youth. These answers include:



adding a water

fountain

adding more

climbers

adding more area

to ride a bike

adding a

basketball hoop

change the rope to

something that will

not give rope burn

more sitting areas



change the bark

add a zip line

add shaded

benches

add a batting

cages

add a sign that

says no drugs or

alcohol.

add a security

guard

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Q4: How do you get to the parks?

Number

Percent

70%

49%

34%

Walk

Someone drives me

Bike

Scooter

Skate Board

Most youth

walk to existing

parks.

It is important to note that responses on this question overlap. For

example, children who indicated they walk to the park may walk one

day and bike another day. Most youth or 70% or participants walk to

the park.

Q5: What do you like to do at the park?

Number

Percent

Swing

Play

Spin

Slide

Hangout

30%

23%

13%

Rock climb

Everything

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Some of the youth answered question number 4 with unique answers that only occurred once.

These responses were:



Play in the bark

Play on the tree

Big toy

Play catch

Play baseball

Watch baseball

Q6: What sports do you like to play?

Baseball

Basketball

Volleyball

Softball

Football

Soccer

There was also an option to write in

an additional sport other than those

listed. Respondents wrote in the

following sports:



Number

Percent

74%

49%

45%

38%

What sports do you like to play?

Tennis

Kickball

Tetherball

Hockey

Dodge ball

Cross country

Paintballing

Q7: Would you want to do any of these things?

Boxing

Karate

Cooking classes

Nature walks

Swimming lessons

Skate board

Dance Classes

Soccer

Baseball

Football

Softball

Basketball

Volleyball

Number

Percent

55%

53%

51%

47%

43%

40%

32%

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In question number seven

survey participants were asked

Would you want to participate in

if they would like to participate

any of these things?

in a list of activities. The activity

most youth indicated they

would like to participate in was

Dance

boxing with 55% of respondents

Classes

Boxing

choosing this activity. The next

activity youth selected was

karate with 53% of youth

Skate board

indicating they would like to

Karate

participate, followed by cooking

Swimming

classes with 51% selecting this

lessons

option. Forty-seven percent of

Cooking classes

youth reported they would like

Nature walks

to participate in nature walks

and 43% state they would like

to participate in swimming

lessons. Of the youth surveyed,

forty percent indicate they would like to participate in skate boarding and only 32% would like

to participate in dance classes.

Similar to question number 6, youth had the option to

write in a response other than those listed in the

question. Responses written in to question 7 include:



Gymnastics

Batting cages

Self defense

Paint balling

Q8: What do you want to see added

on the reservation?

Batting cages are what

youth would like to see

added on the reservation.

A skate park is the item

kids would like least.

Number

Percent

Batting cages

New Park

74%

68%

Outdoor basketball court

Bike Paths

55%

Dog Park

Walking trails

51%

45%

Skateboard Park

38%

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The majority of youth, 74%

What do you want to see added on

of those surveyed, when

asked what you want to see

the reservation?

added on the reservation

selected batting cages. Sixtyeight percent of youth said

Skateboard

they would like to see a new

Park

park added. The next

Batting cages

facilities youth would like to

Walking trails

see are an outdoor

basketball court and a bike

New Park

Dog Park

path with 55% of youth

choosing either option. Fifty

one percent of youth

Outdoor

indicate they would like to

Bike Paths

basketball

see a dog park added. Fortycourt

five percent of youth would

like to see walking trails

added and only 38% of youth

according to survey results would like to see a skateboard park added to the reservation.

Survey participants indicated they would like to see additions other than those options listed in

the survey. These other options were:



More parks

Karate

Add more toys by the community

center

Animal park

Gymnastic mats

Water park

Improve softball fields

Zip line

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Adult Survey Analysis

A community meeting was advertised in the tribal newsletter, on the community reader board,

bulletin boards and through the Tribal Administration’s e-mail system. In August of 2013 a

community meeting was held at the Chehalis Tribal Community Center. More than 50

community members attended the event. Locations were discussed for three potential park

projects including one trail, one off-road vehicle park and one neighborhood playground.

Attendees used sticker dots to indicate what locations the community supported for future

development. The results of the sticker dot survey narrowed down potential trail options, offroad vehicle park locations and neighborhood park locations.

At the meeting survey results from the youth survey were discussed and adults were given a

survey to provide input on future park and recreation development. Sixteen members of the

community indicated they would be interested in serving on a Park Planning Team.

Thirty-three adults completed the 12 question adult survey.

Q1: Please rank your top five priorities (1-5) for park projects with 1 being most

important to you and 5 being less important:

Bike/walking path

New park with playground equipment

Bathrooms at the new park

Batting cages

Skate park

Off road vehicle park with quad trails

Improve Tomahawk Stadium

Outdoor basketball Court

Boat ramp

Off leash dog park

Points

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To evaluate responses to question number one, points were assigned to the rank assigned by

survey participants. Priorities ranked as a 1st were

awarded 5 points, items ranked 2nd were awarded 4

points, items ranked 3rd were awarded 3 points, items

ranked 4th were awarded four points and items ranked

5th were awarded 1 point.

The highest ranked park project for adults with 78

points was a bike and walking path. The second ranked

project with 71 points was a new park with new

playground equipment. Bathrooms at the new park ranked 3rd priority with 60 points. Batting

cages were 4th priority with 57 points. The project ranked 5th was batting cages which received

41 points. Improve Tomahawk Stadium ranked 6th with 28 points. The 7th priority park project

was an outdoor basketball court with 27 points. Adults scored the boat ramp as the 8 th priority

with 26 points. An off leash dog park scored last with only 7 points.

Park Project Priorities

Bike/walking path

New park with playground

equipment

Bathrooms at the new park

Batting cages

Skate park

Off road vehicle park with

quad trails

Points

Other responses to question number 1 include:



Paintball

Disc golf

An Olympic Sized Pool

Bowling lanes

Tennis courts



Ping Pong

Picnic tables

Tables and warmers

Garbage cans

More parks in all areas

31 | P a g e

Q2: Please check the activities your family usually

participates in

Walking

Picnicking

Baseball/softball

Swimming

Biking

Fishing

Basketball

Hiking

Quad riding

Jogging/running

Hunting

Football

Soccer

Responses Percentage

82%

67%

64%

61%

48%

42%

39%

30%

27%

24%

When comparing the trival and state level survey data, there are several differences worth

noting. First, in the tribal community the team sport with the largest percentage of

particpation is baseball

and/or softball while in the

Activities Families Usually

state is swimming.

Participate In

Swimming is the second

ranked activity in the tribal

community, while baseball

Walking

is the second ranked

Picnicking

activity in the state. On

Baseball/softball

the reservation, 7 times

Swimming

more families or 64% of

Biking

families participate in

Fishing

baseball while in the state

Basketball

only 9% do. The third

Hiking

ranked team sport on the

Quad riding

reservation is basketball

Jogging/running

with 42% of families

Number

participating. At the state

level, basketball ranks second but only 16% of families participate. Soccer ranks third at the

state level with 13% participation while in the tribal community soccer ranks last.

32 | P a g e

Survey participants wrote in additional responses to question number 2. These suggestions for

activities include:



Camping

Disc golf



Bowling lanes

Canoe journey

Q3: Would you or anyone in your family participate in the

following activities? Check all that apply and circle your favorite

Cooking classes

Swimming lessons

Open swim

Martial arts

Dance classes

Quilting classes

Zumba

Boxing classes

Suggestions written in on question number 3 for

activities you or someone in your family would

participate included:



Fast pitch camps

Basket weaving

Cheerleading

Number

Percentage

76%

67%

48%

33%

27%

15%

Families would like to

participate in cooking

classes and swimming

lessons more than any

other activity.

Q4: If you, or anyone in your family would participate in an adult sports

league please indicate which sports?

Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Football

Volleyball

Soccer

Number

Percent

48%

42%

39%

33%

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Participation in Adult Sports Leagues

Additional

responses listed

under other for

question 4 were:

Basketball

Softball

Baseball

Football

Volleyball

Soccer



camp

Running

Disc golf

Bowling

Baseball

Number

Q5: If you, or anyone in your family would participate in a child

sports league please indicate which sports?

Baseball

Basketball

Softball

Football

Volleyball

Soccer

Participation in Child's Sports

Leagues

On question number 5 suggestions

for child sports leagues included:



Cheerleading

Swimming competitions

Bowling

Number

Percent

76%

67%

52%

42%

39%

36%

Baseball

Basketball

Softball

Football

Volleyball

Number

Soccer

34 | P a g e

Q6: Do you use the parks on the

reservation?

The majority of survey

participants use the parks

on the reservation.

Number Percent

Yes

85%

15%

Q7: Do the existing parks and facilities meet the needs of all age

groups?

Yes

Number Percent

36%

48%

Survey participants were asked to indicate what could be improved at existing parks on the

reservation if they felt the parks did not meet the needs of all age groups. Suggestions for

improvements were:



Needs more picnic areas

Add barbeque grills

More for children under 3

Add drinking fountains

Add water feature

Add park in the Vosper and Tahown

Needs restrooms



Increase law enforcement presence

Add a skate park

Add bigger teeter totter

Need more swings

Change fall material to rubber mats



Shooting range

Q8: Do you believe the parks are properly maintained?

Yes

Number

Percent

64%

21%

When asked if you believe the parks are properly maintained, 64% of adults said yes while 21%

said no.

On question number 8 when asked if questions were properly maintained, respondents were

given space to indicate what could be improved if they felt the facilities were not properly

maintained. The responses were:



Garbage needs to be picked up

Needs bathrooms

Needs to be open more

Control ants at park on Makum

Toys need to be cleaned

35 | P a g e

Q9: What would you like the new park across the street from the

little store to be named?

Heritage Park

Makum Park

Number

Percent

45%

30%

Only 75% of respondents answered question 9. Forty-five percent of respondents chose the

name Heritage Park while 30% chose the name Makum Park.

A survey respondent also suggested the name “Per Capita Park”.

Survey participants were asked to list activities they participate in off the reservation on

question number 10. These are the responses:



Camping

Roller skating

Ice skating

Go karts

Coed softball

tourneys

Work out

Shooting guns

Fishing

Swimming



Hiking

River rafting

Frisbee golf

Picnicking

Quad riding

Tubing

Batting cages

City league

volleyball

Bowling



Walking

Pow wows

Canoe journey

Baseball tourneys

City league softball

City league

baseball

marathons

36 | P a g e

Some of the responses on Questions 10 and 11 give references to neighborhoods on the

reservation. The above map depicts the neighborhoods on the reservation.

Question 11 was an open ended question. When asked: “do you have any other ideas for

recreation or comments on future park development?”, adults gave the following suggestions:



Make them safe

Keep them maintained

Cut grass

Clean up garbage

Add a shooting range

Make a family-oriented park with

activities for babies

Add bus stops in Vosper

Make a disc golf course

Add batting cages

Hold pitching camps

Add campgrounds

Do not allow quads in parks

Add a summer time water fountain

like downtown Olympia



Create a walking trail from the

reservation to Oakville

Have a bigger pool

Add a basketball court in Tahown

and Vosper

Make a park by the Housing office

Add a Native plant garden

Create a shady place for hot

weather

Make walking trails with cultural

education spots and tell past history

Add a bike path

Make a gold driving range

Purchase baseball camp equipment

Build a park on Tahown

37 | P a g e

Goals and Objectives

The Chehalis Tribe’s Park Plan goals and objectives are

based on an analysis of existing park and recreation

space conditions, the results of community planning

meetings, Park Planning Team Meetings and community

surveys. The objectives for each specific facility were

prioritized by the Park Planning Team.

The Goal of the Chehalis Tribe’s Parks and Recreation

Plan is to provide the opportunity for year-round

recreational participation by all residents of the Chehalis

Tribal community regardless of age, income, sex or

physical ability.

The Goal of the Chehalis

Tribe’s Parks and

Recreation Plan is to

provide the opportunity for

year-round recreational

participation by all

residents of the Chehalis

Tribal community

regardless of age, income,

sex or physical ability.

Community Center

1. Provide sufficient indoor recreation

opportunities to satisfy the

recreational needs of the Chehalis

Tribal Community by providing a

wide range of quality recreational

resources and opportunities.

2. Inform community members of

recreational opportunities at the

Community Center.

Playgrounds

1. Maintain adequate park acreage to meet the present and future needs of the tribal

community.

Baseball Fields

1. Provide sufficient baseball facilities that are planned and designed to meet the needs

and desires of all the residents in the tribal community.

Sidewalks/Walking Trails

38 | P a g e

1. Provide adequate pedestrian access from neighborhoods to areas of interest to

residents of the Chehalis Reservation.

Recreational Programs

1. Establish and develop a varied year-round recreational program that will provide the

opportunity for year-round recreational participation by all residents of the Chehalis

Tribal community regardless of age, income, sex or physical ability.

2. Establish parks and recreation community partners.

Accessibility

1. Design outdoor picnic areas, fields, courts, playgrounds,

trails, parking lots, restrooms and other active and

supporting facilities to be accessible to individuals and

organized groups of all physical capabilities, skill levels,

age groups, income, and activity interest, especially at

sites with significant interpretive opportunities.

2. Design indoor facility spaces, activity rooms, restrooms,

hallways, parking lots, and other active and supporting

spaces and improvements to be accessible to individuals

and organized groups of all physical capabilities, skill

levels, age groups, income, and activity interests.

Maintenance

1. Establish routine maintenance schedules.

2. Develop low maintenance and high capacity design

standards to reduce overall facility maintenance.

Security and Safety

1. Implement the provisions and requirements of the

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

2. Define and enforce rules and regulations concerning park

activities and operations that protect user groups, tribal

staff and the public.

3. Where appropriate, develop adopt-a-park programs,

neighborhood park watches, park police patrols, and

other innovative programs that increase safety and

security awareness and visibility.

39 | P a g e

Five Year Objectives

Five Year Objectives were established using the various forms of community input.

Priority Objective

1 Establish annual

facility

maintenance

schedule

2 Build staff

capacity of park

and recreation

program

3 Meet quarterly

with parks and

recreation

advisory board

4 Provide annual

parks and

recreation

program activity

guide

5 Schedule indoor

recreation

opportunities at

the Community

Center

6 Schedule

outdoor

recreation

opportunities

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

40 | P a g e

Short Term Objectives

Short Term Objectives for Tomahawk Stadium, Legends Field Complex, Makum Park and

Community Center were established by the Park Planning Team. The highest priority items are

ranked as number one. The list proceeds in descending order.

Tomahawk Stadium

Objective

Add lights to women's field

Add concession stand with bathrooms

Cover fence to block lights from cars

Add a sign for ball fields

Add an announcer's booth

Perform Maintenance

Legends Field Complex

Objective

Add baseball dirt

Add lighting

Add batting cages by playground

Enclose dugout

Add sidewalk to connect to Anderson Road

Add barbeque grills in picnic area

Finish the 3rd Field

41 | P a g e

Makum Park

Objective

Add covered picnic areas

Add Honey Buckets

immediately

Add more picnic tables

Add drinking fountain

Add permanent bathroom

structure

Add barbeque pits

Vosper Park

Community Center

Objective

Add lights

Objective

Hire a Trainer

Add wifi

Finish the fish pitt

Take rocks out and install concrete

Add picnic area

Add sauna

42 | P a g e

Potential Capital Projects

TOTAL

$200,000

Makum

Area

Playground

and

Outdoor

Basketball

Court

Install lights

at all 5

Playgrounds

$200,000

$150,000

2020

$200,000

Bike/Walkin

g Path

Outdoor

Bathrooms

at 3 parks

2019

Tahown

Area

Playground

2018

Acquisition

of culturally

significant

recreation

properties

2017

$300,000

2016

2014

Outdoor

playground

and

Covered

Area

Priority

2015

ORV park

Campground

Walking trail/Bike Path

Skate park

Upgrade playground surfacing

Install lights at recreational areas

Spray Park

Batting Cages

Playground with Covered Area

Nature trail

Project Name



$250,000

$750,000

$100,000

$750,000

$100,000

43 | P a g e

TOTAL

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

Project Name

Priority

Batting

Cages

Tomahawk

Stadium

Improveme

nts

$100,000

Upgrade

Playground

Surfacing at

all 5

Playgrounds

$300,000

Skate Park

$250,000

$50,000

ORV Park

Legends

Field

Improveme

nts

Nature Trail

$600,000

Create

Campgroun

$200,000

$1,550,000

$3,700,000

TOTAL

$50,000

$250,000

$300,000

$550,000

$250,000

$150,000

$650,000

$250,000

$300,000

44 | P a g e

What Does This Tell Us?

1. The Chehalis Tribal Community is growing more rapidly than the state of Washington;

therefore, the future design of park and recreation facilities and services need to be

planned to meet this steadily growing population.

2. Most youth walk to existing parks; therefore, future parks should have pedestrian

access via sidewalk or trails.

3. The neighborhoods on the eastern portion of the reservation have reached maximum

residential capacity. Future housing development is limited to the western portion of

the reservation. With housing development anticipated on this half of the reservation,

recreational facilities need to be planned for future residents.

4. Facilities, amenities and programs that appeal to all age groups are important, but

facilities for younger people are critically important since the tribal population is so

young.

45 | P a g e

5. Residents of the Chehalis Reservation have a lower than average income profile for the

state of Washington. This indicates that there is limited capacity for residents to pay for

recreational activities that are important to families. Future planning considerations for

park and recreational facilities or programs should keep activities free and open to the

public whenever possible.

6. In the tribal community, walking, picnicking, baseball/softball and swimming are popular

activities. The popularity of these activities with families needs to be taken into

consideration in future planning efforts.

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This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.