Partners For Parks presented a check to the City of Lakewood on Jan. 6 and told the City Council the nonprofit is moving ahead on fundraising to restore the H Barn at Fort Steilacoom Park.

Alan Billingsley, speaking on behalf of Partners For Parks, opened with a short video about the group’s public fundraising campaign. He said Partners For Parks has raised about $2.5 million to date and is targeting a $3.5 million total for the H Barn restoration project; the organization is seeking roughly $500,000 more from businesses to reach an interim $3.0 million milestone. Billingsley said Partners For Parks has $1 million set aside to send to the city to fund engineering and drawings for the restoration.

During the presentation, Partners For Parks also presented a donation to support the dog‑park fence at Fort Steilacoom Park. The donation is listed in the council packet as $99,000; the council accepted that donation through the consent agenda (motion 2025‑04).

“We’re a group of people who really just want to help our community,” Billingsley said during the presentation.

Action and next steps
- The council accepted a donation from Partners For Parks of $99,000 to support replacement of the dog‑park fence through the consent agenda (motion 2025‑04; outcome: approved). The consent agenda was adopted by voice vote earlier in the meeting.
- Partners For Parks will work with city staff on next steps for the H Barn project and on providing design information to potential donors.

Why it matters
The gift will fund an immediate park improvement, and Partners For Parks’ larger fundraising effort would finance a multimillion‑dollar restoration that could generate more public use and programming at Fort Steilacoom Park. City and nonprofit officials said engineering and updated cost estimates are needed before the city can commit to a construction schedule.

Ending
Council members thanked Partners For Parks and said the city will coordinate with the nonprofit on engineering, permitting and the next phase of fundraising.