Stan Hedwall Park
Stan Hedwall Park is the largest park in Chehalis, Washington at 204-acres (83 ha). It is located west of I-5, and southeast of Lintott-Alexander Park and the beginning trailhead for the Willapa Hills Trail.[1][2]
| Stan Hedwall Park | |
|---|---|
 Little League baseball fields at Stan Hedwall Park | |
  | |
| Type | Athletic fields, camping, hiking, water access |
| Coordinates | 46°38′24″N 122°57′54″W |
| Area | 204 acres (83 ha) |
| Created | 1972, officially a Chehalis park in 2014 |
| Etymology | Named after a Chehalis government official |
| Status | Open; can be closed due to flooding |
| Hiking trails | Gravel and compacted soil; 3 miles |
| Terrain | Flat, river bank |
| Vegetation | Forested, meadow |
| Threatened by | Flooding |
| Parking | Multiple lots, 200+ |
| Facilities | RV parking and camping, bathrooms |
The ballfields host competitions for the Babe Ruth League[3] and various high school sports in Lewis County, acting as home field for W.F. West High School.
History
The land was originally owned by Washington’s Department of Social and Health Services, making it state property. It was used as farmland maintained by students at the Green Hill School. A 55-year agreement to lease the area to Chehalis began in 1972 and continued for decades. A park began to be built that year in part from a grant by Washington's Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation. A major flood in December 1975 submerged 70% of the park with floodwater.[4]
After various attempts to purchase the park, the city succeeded in January 2014 when an accommodation was made by the state to list the land as surplus and transfer, by deed, ownership to Chehalis for zero dollars.[1][5] The park was named after a former Chehalis parks director and Lewis County commissioner.[1][5]
Features
The park contains ball fields for softball and little league baseball, areas for volleyball and soccer, RV parking, and three miles of trails. The Newaukum River winds thru the forested, southern portion of the park and the river is accessible to visitors for fishing and water activities.[6]
References
- Spurr, Kyle (July 8, 2013). "State Transfers Ownership of Stan Hedwall Park to Chehalis". The Chronicle. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- "Stan Hedwall Park". ci.chehalis.wa.us/. City of Chehalis.
- Trent, Eric (June 26, 2020). "Twin Cities Babe Ruth Kicks Off Season Opener at Stan Hedwall Park Friday". The Chronicle. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- Julie McDonald; Edna Fund (December 6, 2017). "From Native American Legends to 2007: A History of Flooding in the Chehalis River Basin". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
Article a copy from the book "The Flood of 2007: Disaster and Survival on the Chehalis River"
- Brewer, Christopher (July 22, 2014). "City of Chehalis Celebrates Handover of Stan Hedwall Park". The Chronicle. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- "Stan Hedwall Park". Experience Chehalis. 13 November 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2021.