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Tumwater proclaims July Parks and Recreation Month; council praises staff and raises cemetery, fireworks concerns
Summary
Council recognized July as National Parks and Recreation Month, praised staff for a large July 4 weekend that drew large crowds, and discussed concerns about disrespect at two Cleveland Avenue cemeteries and some fireworks-related calls; Parks Director Chuck Denny and the city administrator provided attendance and call figures.
The Tumwater City Council on July 7 proclaimed July 2026 as National Parks and Recreation Month and heard a report from Parks and Recreation Director Chuck Denny on the city’s summer events, including the July 4 parade and fireworks.
"Police estimated there was about 10,000 people there," Denny said of the parade, and he said the driving range at the golf course drew roughly 15,000 people for the fireworks festival. Denny thanked staff, volunteers and sponsoring organizations for staging the 38th annual parade and related events and previewed upcoming attractions: a four-week craft concert series at the Craft District beginning Thursday nights at 6 p.m., a multi-park 'Screen on the Green' movie series, a new 'Chrome on the Range' car show supported by Capital Collision and the Artesian Brewfest on Aug. 15.
Several council members praised staff work but raised concerns about impacts of the holiday. Council member Angela Jefferson and Council member Joan Kathy said they’d heard reports of trampling and disrespect of grave sites at two Cleveland Avenue cemeteries used as gathering points. "We do not own those cemeteries," Denny said; he added the city provides porta-potties and trash receptacles and will follow up with the Masonic Lodge and the Catholic Church, which he said own the sites.
There was also disagreement over the fireworks display’s length and quality. One council member called the display "pitiful," while Denny said the display lasted "19 minutes and 28 seconds" and noted the show was sponsored by the Red Wind Casino. City Administrator Paul reported that police calls for service averaged 58 per day in June and rose to 60 on July 4, 14 of which were fireworks-related; the fire department had 18 calls on July 4, matching its daily average. Administrator Paul added that on July 5 a residential structure fire caused by a firework caused exterior damage only.
During public comment, Ryan Reynolds, a Tumwater resident and business owner, thanked the city and council for the July 4 weekend and said the events were "positive for families, for the community, for the businesses." The council closed public comment and then proceeded with business items.
The meeting’s consent calendar — approved without objection — included ratification of vouchers totaling $4,560,000, a five-year SiriusXM lease amendment for tower equipment to increase lease revenue, and authorization of a consultant agreement with HDR Engineering for the Somerset Hill Culvert replacement project, which the mayor said would improve fish passage and habitat.
