PRESS RELEASE - Chetzemoka Park Projects Kicking Off This Summer

Long-range plans coming to fruition to enhance many park amenities and benefit all users.

June 16, 2026 - PORT TOWNSEND – The City of Port Townsend Parks division is beginning construction on several improvements to Chetzemoka Park, starting now through fall 2026. The projects span from installing universal play equipment to renovating the park gazebo to removal of adjacent park structures to make way for new uses. 

The oldest park in the City’s parks system, this 6.53-acre park was established in 1904 as a project of a newly formed civic club and named after the Chief of the S’Klallampeople, čičməhán, who the settlers called Chetzemoka. The park features expansive views and lawns, beach access, a Victorian-style gazebo, flower gardens and paths, and two play structure areas. Deferred maintenance over the years has led to a number of park structures in need of updates, removal, or replacement. As such, staff, City Council, and the Parks, Recreation, Trees, and Trails Advisory Board (PRTTAB) have engaged in longrange planning with the community through functional plans like the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan (PROS Plan), the annual budget and strategic workplan process, and in securing recent grant funding, to improve the safety and usability of many of the park’s amenities. Current projects this summer and fall include:

Gazebo Repairs
The Gazebo is a structure that can be reserved by the community and sees frequent use for weddings, musical performances, and parties. Near the bluff, it is subject to marine winds and requires repairs due to deferred maintenance over several years. Repairs this summer will include fresh paint, replacement of deck boards, and installation of new gutters and fascia. The work will be performed by City staff this summer and fall with a budget of $15,000.

Kitchen Shelter Construction
The kitchen shelter was closed in 2020 along with other City-owned reservable space due to COVID restrictions. After review of the structure’s condition, the City Building Official determined it was unsafe to occupy. Local engineers and architects also concluded that the structure was beyond repair and needed to be rebuilt. The original structure was removed in 2024 and staff have coordinated with PRTTAB, Historic Preservation Committee, and City Council to design a new timber frame structure that will serve the next generation of parks users with a nod to the traditional design. The construction contract is funded through 2022 Banked Capacity funding and a community bequest with Anderson Homes hired as the general contractor for $128,429. Work is scheduled to begin in June with anticipated completion by early fall. Once complete, it will be listed on the facilities rental website and made available for public events.

Swing Set Replacement
The Chetzemoka swing set is more than 50 years old. The current swings have reached the end of their useful life, and replacement parts are no longer available. Over the years, staff have made multiple repairs, including custom fabrication, to keep the equipment operational. The City’s Certified Playground Safety Inspector has recommended replacement to provide safe equipment that can serve the community for the next 50 years. Beginning September 1, parks staff will remove the existing equipment and prepare the site for installation, anticipated around September 21, depending on weather and shipping timelines. This project supports accessibility goals by improving park equipment for all community members, including those with mobility needs. The playground contract was awarded to Buell Recreation through state contract and purchasing guidelines with $30,000 approved in the 2026 Parks budget and a $5,000 grant from the Accessible Community Advisory Committee for universal play equipment.

Golden Age Club and Park Caretaker House Demolition
The Golden Age Club is located on Hudson Street north of the park, adjacent to Chetzemoka Dog Park. Originally established in 1955 for senior recreation, the property sits on former U.S. Army land later acquired by the City as government surplus. The structure has suffered from years of deferred maintenance and long-term vacancy. The site includes several severely dilapidated structures surrounded by overgrown vegetation. Although it is between two City parks, it is largely hidden from public view, has limited access, and shows no signage identifying the site or its history. The property is in a residential neighborhood and needs significant revitalization. The park caretaker house sits adjacent to the main entrance to the park and was used by staff for many years but has since been deemed unsafe and uninhabitable by City building officials.

Removal of both structures is scheduled for the week of July 13. Abatement of hazardous materials was performed in 2025 in and around both buildings. A certified contractor will remove all material from the site. Removing these dilapidated structures will create space for future expansion of the dog park and where the caretaker house once stood, an RV park host site, similar to Kah Tai Nature Lagoon Park.This work was approved as part of the 2025 and 2026 budget.

All community members are invited to an open house at the Chetzemoka Park gazebo on Thursday, July 9 from 5:00 – 6:30pm to learn about the projects and share their memories of the park. This casual event will be an opportunity for community members to see the designs, talk to City staff, mingle with neighbors, and share memories of the park.

Parks and Facilities Manager, Michael Todd says: “These projects represent an investment not only in the physical infrastructure of Chetzemoka Park, but in the people who use it every day. Parks are gathering places that strengthen community connections, support health and recreation, and create lasting memories across generations. By improving and preserving this treasured space, we are ensuring that current and future residents along with visitors from all over can continue to enjoy one of Port Townsend's most beloved public places.”

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Learn more about Chetzemoka Park: https://cityofpt.us/parksrec/page/chetzemoka-park

Learn more about current park projects: https://cityofpt.us/parksrec/page/chetzemoka-park-projects

Access the PROS Plan: https://cityofpt.us/citycouncil/page/city-plan