South County Park — Acquisition & Repairs
South Lewis County Park is an important community space located on the west bank of the Cowlitz River. Adjacent to Toledo’s historic core, the park features mature trees, river access, open green space, and Wallace Pond — a quiet natural area enjoyed by residents and visitors for many years. GTHH is exploring the potential acquisition of the property through the county’s surplus process to help preserve continued community access and support its long-term care and stewardship.
The park has the potential to become a cornerstone of cultural, recreational, educational, and natural renewal in the region. While the property remains under Lewis County ownership, GTHH can work cooperatively with the County on appropriate projects and improvements with County approval. At the same time, GTHH continues to explore longer-term opportunities that could provide a more comprehensive framework for stewardship of the park.
Project Purpose
The goal of this initiative is to help preserve South Lewis County Park for continued community use and establish a long-term stewardship approach that supports safety, accessibility, environmental care, recreation, and education. Individual projects may be undertaken in cooperation with and with the approval of Lewis County under current ownership. Future acquisition could provide greater flexibility for GTHH to pursue comprehensive long-term repairs, improvements, and stewardship of the property.
Current Status
GTHH is continuing to evaluate both near-term opportunities and long-term needs at South Lewis County Park. Current efforts may include appropriate projects undertaken in cooperation with Lewis County, while broader planning considers the repairs, improvements, partnerships, and resources that could be needed for the park’s long-term future.
General Areas of Potential Improvement
Based on preliminary observations, areas that may warrant future attention include:
- Basic Facility Repairs: Addressing wear and age in shelters, picnic areas, and small structures.
- Safety & Accessibility: Improving pathways, public areas, and ADA access where feasible.
- Park Amenities: Updating seating, signage, and other visitor-use features.
- Environmental Stewardship: Supporting healthy vegetation, Wallace Pond, habitat, landscaped areas, and other natural features.
- Education & Community Use: Developing appropriate opportunities for environmental education, youth involvement, recreation, and community activities.
As planning progresses, this page will be updated with new information, recommended actions, and opportunities for community involvement. GTHH's goal is to help ensure that South Lewis County Park remains a valued community resource for future generations.