Fort Steilacoom Park Finally Gets Permanent Restrooms

The most active park in the city lacks the most fundamental pieces of functionality:

Restrooms.

At the heart of Fort Steilacoom Park is a wooden playground that took about 3,000 volunteers to help build five years ago. It continues to reel in families from across the region for large picnics and play time. The park even hosts larger events like Summer fest, sports tournaments and high school cross-country league championships that draw more than a 1,000 visitors in a day.

What has been missing, however, is a clean and sanitary way to use the bathroom. Parents and especially children who use temporary Honey Buckets have been waiting for an upgrade to complement the park's amenities. It's the best The City of Lakewood has been able to provide since the park opened for more than five years.

Wait no longer.

The city, along with other local organizations, paid $225,000 for a pre-fabricated structure that was delivered by a flat-bed truck in two large concrete pieces. Mary Dodsworth, the parks and recreation director, said the city is excited to have a real restroom that's clean and ready for visitors.

"That's not a very good situation," Dodsworth said about the Honey Buckets that sit just outside the playground next to the parking lot. "There's nowhere to wash your hands at the playground."

Dodsworth said the last step needed before the restrooms can open is metering installation by Puget Sound Energy, which she expects to be completed by next week. Community service crews were planting seeds this week to re-grow the grass that was plowed during construction.

Dodsworth hopes the permanent restrooms will be available for the 5K Fun Run on Jan. 29 that will honor the birthday of Tina Griswold, one of four Lakewood Police officer gunned down at a Forza coffee shot more than a year ago just outside of the city.

Since the playground is centrally located in the park, off-leash dog park users, walkers and joggers would benefit from the facility upgrade. The new restrooms can handle 215 flushes per hour and will be a noticeable change when the weather starts to warm up. There are two separate rooms with changing tables for toddlers and babies.

Lakewood resident Edo Kousswo and her two children, Angela and Emmanuel Sevon, were at the playground on Wednesday enjoying the scarce sunshine. Kousswo said 3-year-old Angela was afraid of going in the Honeybucket.

"It's not very good," Kousswo said about the Honeybucket. "They can feel comfortable with the other restroom."

Others like Chris Van Noske and his family would also prefer a better restroom facility.

"I'll change him in the van," Van Noske said when asked what he would do if his 2-year-old had an "accident."

Dodsworth said the city is also working to improve the off-leash dog park. Check back later for more details.