The Friends of LBA Woods is a volunteer stewardship group devoted to the restoration of wildlife habitat in the LBA Woods and to advocating for the protection and enhancement of the park for our community.
LBA Woods is the 133-acre wooded portion of the LBA Park & Woods, a city park in southeast Olympia, Washington. The main park entrances are at 3333 Morse-Merryman Rd. and 3500 Amhurst St. To locate additional pedestrian-bicycle entrances, consult the Park Map.
FRIENDS OF LBA WOODS NEWS UPDATE
Log Cabin Road Extension
Progress! On June 6th, the members of the Thurston Regional Planning Council gave a “thumbs up” to tell the Transportation Planning Board (TPB) to remove the proposed project A4, the Log Cabin Road Extension, from the draft Regional Transportation Plan. Their reasoning is that it does not reflect the current transportation plans of the City Olympia who is described as the “sponsor”.
Their decision was based largely on the statement by Olympia City Council member Dani Madrone, that Olympia removed the proposed road from its Comprehensive Plan in 2021. She went on to say that the road is no longer a priority for Olympia, nor should it be the predetermined outcome of Olympia’s study of transportation needs in southeast Olympia.
It was also pointed out that it was unprecedented that the Regional Transportation Plan would not reflect the city’s current priorities and plans.
The 200+ public comments opposing the Log Cabin Road Extension were critical for bringing this element of the transportation plan to the TRPC’s attention. Our message was loud and clear: NO ROAD THROUGH THE LBA WOODS!
What Now? While the Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) did informally vote to communicate that they don’t want the project in the plan. Instead, their recommendation will serve as guidance to the Transportation Policy Board (an advisory body to the TRPC) for their June 11 review and discussion of the draft transportation plan. Getting the Transportation Policy Board to agree with TRPC’s guidance is important! The TPB meets on June 11 at 8:30 am.
What Can You Do? One more round of public comments! This really makes a difference. The letters already written to the TRPC are summarized for the the Transportation Policy Board (TPB). But there are some important new points to be made. You can:
- Support the TRPC’s guidance to remove the Log Cabin Extension Road (Project A-4) from the draft Regional Transportation Plan.
- Mention that ever since the LBA Woods were purchased for parkland in 2017, it has become part of a park that attracts people from all over the county—not just Olympia. If you live in Lacey, Tumwater, or the county, please include that in your public comment. This is not a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) issue. The Log Cabin Road Extension is described as a “regionally significant” road. The LBA Woods is part of a regionally significant park.
- Remind the TPB that there are other options for moving people (cars, bikes, pedestrians, community members using mobility devices) between Lacey and Olympia. Morse-Merryman Road should be considered—as it needs improvement.
- The Log Cabin Road Extension should not be the predetermined outcome of a future study of Olympia’s needs for street connectivity and multimodal transportation infrastructure.
- Thank Olympia City Council members Dani Madrone who is on the TRPC and Robert Vanderpool who is on the TPB for their making it clear that the Log Cabin Road Extension is no longer a priority and to listening to their constituents. dmadrone@ci.olympia.wa.us and rvanderp@ci.olympia.wa.us
Public comment for this meeting will be accepted in written and oral format.
By Tuesday June 10th: By 12 noon, please submit your written public comments. Provide: 1) your name and address and 2) your comments. Send them to info@trpc.org.
By Tuesday June 10th: By 12 noon, please register for oral public comments at the June 10 meeting. Limit to 2-3 minutes. Commenters may attend the meeting in person or choose the remote option. For either, please register to comment through this link https://trpc-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CNxeDLKgQzan9JSkLPEtxQ#/registration
Check the box indicating you wish to provide public comment and list a general topic.
You will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
June 11th: The TRPB meets from 8:30 -10 a.m. Public comments start just after 8:30.
- Deliver your oral comments (if you’ve registered already).
- Give your public comments in person at the Thurston Regional Planning Council, 2411 Chandler Court SW
- Olympia. Map here. https://maps.app.goo.gl/bdAJ3WpToMDt744b9
- Watch the meeting live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trpc.org
- Watch the meeting live (no public comment option) at https://trpc-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CNxeDLKgQzan9JSkLPEtxQ#/registration
TWO JUNE WORK PARTIES:
Friday June 20 and Friday June 27—both days 9:30 to 12 noon
Join park stewards and staff in continuing our awesome restoration efforts by pulling Scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry from this awesome woodsy habitat. Meet near the large sign, located by the upper/east parking lot at 3333 Morse Merryman Rd SE.
Volunteers are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle. An adult must accompany youth under the age of 14, and any youth under 18 years of age without an adult present must have an online waiver signed electronically by a parent/guardian.
Need community service hours? These work parties count!
Please arrive 5-10 minutes early to park and sign in. For more information, please call 360-753-8365 or email parkstewardship@ci.olympia.wa.us.
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Use the button to sign up for periodic news from the Friends of LBA Woods about upcoming work parties, guided nature walks, special events, and action alerts.