Hoedown at the H-Barn! Saturday Sept. 28, 2024 Enjoy photos from the event
Mission & Vision
Partners for Parks MISSION is to leverage our 501c3 status to be a resource and assist in the improvement of Lakewood area parks.
Partners for Parks VISION is for a public-private partnership with the City of Lakewood to preserve, restore and renovate the H-Barn Complex at Fort Steilacoom Park into a multi-use facility for the benefit of the greater community.
Be a Partner in History
"Restoring the H-Barn is the perfect blend of preserving Lakewood’s rich history and creating a great public space for the surrounding community." Alan Billingsley, H-Barn Leadership Awareness Chair, and Partners for Parks Board of Directors
HISTORIC FACTS snapshot Fort Steilacoom Park has a long history as a working farm tracing back to the Hudson Bay Company in 1841 supporting settlers until Fort Steilacoom was decommissioned in 1868. The land was then purchased and donated by the Federal Government for use as a regional hospital site in 1874. Much of the crops and livestock raised were to support hospital staff and patients between 1930 and 1950. Prior to colonial settlement this site was stewarded for thousands of years by Coast Salish tribes, including the Nisqually Tribe. Their cultural traditions, including gathering food are closely tied to the remnant oak prairie which remains at Fort Steilacoom Park.
Historic preservation of the H-Barn complex will honor the distinct historical function of the building, while being renovated into a modern multi-functional event space. And although the interior of the barn will require extensive remodeling, a “Preserved Historic Area” will be created at the Northeast entrance. For example: the iconic barn doors will be rebuilt so that they remain in an open position, thus honoring and highlighting the distinct historical function of the building as a barn, while the silos, originally numbered with specifications written upon them will have stencils made to copy and reapply this information onto the silos, celebrating their past. A monument will stand in front of the H-Barn on the East side, explaining a brief history of the barn and its significance to the development of Fort Steilacoom and Western State Hospital.
Lakewood, WA – Oct 1, 2024 Partners for Parks is thrilled to announce the success of their recent Harvest Hoedown event, which raised an impressive $54,000 to support the restoration of the historic H-Barn at Fort Steilacoom Park in Lakewood, WA. This lively gathering marks the official launch of the public phase of our project to raise $3.5 million, aimed at matching the City of Lakewood’s generous $4 million commitment. The Hoedown brought together community members, local businesses, and supporters of the park project for an evening of fun and games, music and dancing, all in the name of preserving a cherished piece of Lakewood's history.
Lakewood - September 12, 2024 - Partners for Parks Vice President, Hallie McCurdy, shares the restoration will honor the historial function of the building which dates back to 1841. Partners for Parks has raised $2.1 million of our goal of $3.5 million to date. The total project is $7.5 million dollars and in partnership with the City of Lakewood has committed to $4 million.
Lakewood - August 21, 2024 - Efforts are underway to raise funding for needed renovations to H-Barn in Fort Steilacoom Park. It's a community effort! The idea of preserving this barn for future generations is really important. The City of Lakewood along with Partners for Parks are teaming up to raise $7.5 million dollars to cover the cost of restoring this historic barn into a multi use venue for community and private events.
Lakewood - July 20, 2024 - Partners for Parks invites you to grab your partner and join us at the H-Barn for a good old fashioned "Harvest Hoedown" Kick up your boots at whats sure to be a fun filled family friendly community event! Tickets are on sale HERE. $10 per person, kids 8 years and under are free.
Lakewood - May 22, 2024 - Partners for Parks is pleased to announce they have received a $350,000 capital grant from the Norcliffe Foundation. Partners for Parks is deeply grateful for this extraordinary grant and vote of confidence taking fundraising for the H-Barn Project at Fort Steilacoom Park to more than $2 million in gifts and multi-year pledges. Partners for Parks is leading the private-sector effort to raise $3.5 million toward H-Barn project costs of $7.5 million, which will in turn make possible an additional $4 million in public sector investments from the City of Lakewood.
Lakewood - April 15, 2024 - We are happy to share our community has come together and raised $1,588,904 million dollars of our $3.5 million dollar goal for private sector support of the H-Barn Project. We want to express our gratitude to those who have made this progress possible.
Lakewood — Feb. 23, 2024 — Partners for Parks lost Honorary Co-Chair, Retired Army Lieutenant General (LTG) William “Bill” Harrison last weekend and joins The City of Lakewood recognizing the passing of this great leader. Harrison was a driving force behind the City of Lakewood’s incorporation and served as first mayor from 1995 through 2003, completing his service on the City Council in 2005.
Lakewood — Aug. 10, 2023 — Partners for Parks is building awareness and making its case for support through a series of small group gatherings with community leaders, neighbors and park enthusiasts interested in the H-Barn restoration project at Fort Steilacoom Park.