$2.8 million in improvements approved for this popular Pierce County lakeside park

The city of Lakewood unanimously approved a motion authorizing $2.86 million for improvements to American Lake Park earlier this week.

Improvements expected to come to the popular 5-acre lakefront park include an accessible merry-go-round, a picnic shelter installation, concrete seat walls and trash bays. The park has a swimming beach, public boat launch, picnic tables, playground and year-round restroom.

Construction is expected to begin Sept. 3, and the park will remain open this summer, with most of the work completed by May 31, 2025, according to a memo submitted to the council by Mary Dodsworth, Parks, Recreation and Community Services director.

The Lakewood City Council approved a $2,859,952 contract with Barcott Construction Monday night.

Total project costs are expected to be $4,214,795, which will be offset by some grants Lakewood previously received to improve water access at the park, according to Dodsworth’s memo.

This story was originally published July 6, 2024 at 5:30 AM.

Becca Most

The News Tribune

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Becca Most is a reporter covering the Pierce County issues, including topics related to Tacoma, Lakewood, University Place, DuPont, Fife, Ruston, Fircrest, Steilacoom and unincorporated Pierce County. Originally from the Midwest, Becca previously wrote about city and social issues in Central Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul. Her work has been recognized by Gannett and the USA Today Network, as well as the Minnesota Newspaper Association where she won first place in arts, government/public affairs and investigative reporting in 2023.  Support my work with a digital subscription