Fort Steilacoom Park playground - March 2006

Fort Steilacoom Park in

Lakewood, Washington Lakewood is a city in Pierce County, Washington, United States. The population was 63,612 at the 2020 census. History Lakewood was officially incorporated on February 28, 1996. Historical names include Tacoma/Lakewood Center and Lakes Distric ...

is the largest park in the city. The park includes Waughop Lake, an off-leash

dog park A dog park is a park for dogs to exercise and play off-leash in a controlled environment under the supervision of their owners. Description Dog parks have varying features, although they typically offer a 4' to 6' fence, separate double-gated ...

, and several soccer fields and baseball fields. It is adjacent to

Pierce College Pierce College may refer to: * Pierce College (Washington) * Los Angeles Pierce College ** Pierce College station See also * Peirce College * Franklin Pierce University Franklin Pierce University is a private university in Rindge, New Hampshi ...

, historic

Fort Steilacoom ''For the adjacent park, see Fort Steilacoom Park'' Fort Steilacoom was founded by the U.S. Army in 1849 near Lake Steilacoom. It was among the first military fortifications built by the U.S. north of the Columbia River in what was to become the ...

, and Western State Hospital. The area became a homesteader's farm circa 1844, then became

in 1849. In 1868, the government purchased it for use as the " Insane Asylum for Washington Territory". Hospital residents grew crops and orchards in the park area, and planted many of the poplar trees that line the lake shore. More than 3,000 hospital residents are buried in the cemetery near the parking lot. The park is the site of high school cross country meets in the fall and Pierce College utilizes it for athletic activities. In September or October the Fort Steilacoom Invite is held, hosted by

Lakes High School Lakes High School is located in Lakewood, Washington. It serves students from 9th grade to 12th grade. It is one of the two major high schools in the Clover Park School District. Daffodil Festival Every year, Lakes participates in the Pierce ...

. It is currently the second largest meet in Washington state.

References

Lakewood, Washington Parks in Washington (state) Dog parks in the United States Pierce College Parks in Pierce County, Washington Cross country running courses in Washington (state) {{PierceCountyWA-geo-stub