Rick Walk

by Natasha Ashenhurst • Photography by Shanna Paxton Photography

Leading The City Of Lacey To New Heights

With over 23 years of dedicated service to the City of Lacey, Rick Walk has recently assumed the role of City Manager, bringing his wealth of experience and passion for urban and regional planning and economic initiatives to the forefront of the city's growth and development. Walk's deep connection to the community and extensive background in various roles within the City positions him as a pivotal figure in shaping Lacey's future.

What initially attracted Walk to the position of City Manager was his enduring commitment to the City of Lacey. Having spent a decade as a project planner, Walk was involved in a wide range of initiatives, including permitting, economic development, and strategic planning. Throughout his tenure, he witnessed the City's remarkable growth from a population of 29,000 to just under 60,000, along with significant expansion in industrial, commercial, and residential sectors. This firsthand experience fostered a strong desire to see the community continue to thrive and allowed him to develop an in-depth understanding of the City's unique needs and challenges.

When presented with the opportunity to serve as interim City Manager, Walk accepted the interim position and gained a fresh perspective on Lacey. In the interim role, Rick was able to work with a talented, knowledgeable, and dedicated group of directors and staff in a new capacity. After which, he embraced the role wholeheartedly, acknowledging that it offered him an avenue for personal growth and an opportunity to build upon the foundations set by his predecessors. "As interim city manager, I was able to see the city from a different perspective and saw it as an opportunity to serve, as a rejuvenating way to learn and grow, and continue the work previous managers set in place," he said.

"Over the years, I've developed a leadership style that is generally inclusive. I want people to know what they are working toward. Like making sure there is an opportunity for everyone to provide input into a project or decision and understand why that decision was made."

Walk is particularly passionate about realizing the vision of the City Council, such as expanding the parks system, developing additional active park spaces, maintaining infrastructure, and transforming the Midtown area into a vibrant mixed-use urban neighborhood. To achieve these goals, he has fostered partnerships with institutions like South Puget Sound Community College, Saint Martin's University, the Thurston Economic Development Council, and local chambers of commerce, creating a collaborative environment for implementing projects that serve the region as a whole.

Leveraging his extensive experience in urban planning, Walk aims to bring a comprehensive perspective to his role as City Manager. He understands the importance of delving into the details of each project while keeping a broader vision in mind. This approach enables him to make informed decisions that align with long-term goals while considering the immediate impact on various stakeholders. His collaborative leadership style ensures that all voices are heard, empowering individuals to contribute to projects and decisions, and fostering a shared understanding of the rationale behind each choice. This inclusivity extends to the community, businesses, nonprofits, and residents, as Walk actively seeks their input and involvement in shaping a thriving and inclusive city. "Over the years, I've developed a leadership style that is generally inclusive. I want people to know what they are working toward. Like making sure there is an opportunity for everyone to provide input into a project or decision and understand why that decision was made. My land use experience lends itself well to facilitating conversation, getting people to buy into a vision or goal, and helping define how we reach those goals," he said.

Infrastructure improvements are vital to Lacey's success, and Walk has identified several priorities in this area. Foremost among them is constructing a new police station to replace the outdated and overcrowded facility. The city is finalizing the acquisition of a property from Saint Martin's Abbey, and plans are underway for the $58 million project. The City aims to fund this endeavor through a combination of reserves and revenue bonds, ensuring the burden does not fall on taxpayers.

Additionally, Walk emphasizes the importance of enhancing transportation infrastructure. Completing College Street improvements, including an extension to 15th Avenue, is a significant goal, as it will alleviate traffic congestion and promote smoother travel within the City. Furthermore, he envisions the development of parks and recreational facilities, such as the all-access children's playground, soft-surface trails, and an 18-hole disc golf course at the new Greg Cuoio Park. These projects will provide community members and visitors valuable recreational opportunities and position Lacey as a premier destination within Thurston County.

As the City of Lacey navigates the post-pandemic recovery period, Walk remains steadfast in addressing pressing issues such as promoting tourism and revitalizing the childcare sector. He recognizes the importance of creating a network supporting local businesses, ensuring exceptional service and visitor experiences. Furthermore, Walk aims to collaborate with relevant agencies and organizations to address the critical need for affordable, high-quality childcare, particularly for families connected to Joint Base Lewis McChord.

Under Walk's leadership, the City of Lacey is set to embark on a new era of growth and collaboration. By fostering relationships with external stakeholders, including the business community, nonprofits, and educational institutions, he aims to create a robust ecosystem that benefits everyone in the community. The strong network of partnerships and resources will bolster Lacey's trajectory, building upon the progress made in recent years and positioning the City for continued success.

As Rick Walk assumes the role of Lacey City Manager, he brings a profound dedication to the community and a vision for its future. With his extensive experience, collaborative leadership style, and unwavering commitment to growth and inclusivity, Walk is poised to lead Lacey into a prosperous era of development where the City's potential can be fully realized.

by Kathryn Millhorn • Photography by Shanna Paxton Photography

We don’t always realize how much goes on behind the scenes in our hometown.

we live, work, play, and raise families without a administration it takes to operate an entire city. Thanks to lifelong civil servants like Tumwater’s new City Administrator, Lisa Parks, for

Parks joined Tumwater’s team in June 2023, but this isn’t her first foray into government. She explains that she’s held similar positions throughout her career and enjoys “working for communities of all different sizes to foster a high quality of life. City governments, in particular, are the direct, frontline service providers impacting peoples’ lives in the places they call home. It’s exciting to join the outstanding team in Tumwater and be a part of building a prosperous, healthy, and vibrant future for our community.”

She finds it professionally rewarding “being part of an organization intent on creating a people-oriented and highly livable community with a strong economy, dynamic places, vibrant neighborhoods, a healthy natural environment, diverse and engaged residents, and a living connection to its history.”

But overseeing so many moving parts has its challenges. Parks admits there are complex and dynamic aspects of growth which take intentional decision-making. “Many of these require collaboration and partnerships to move the needle,” she says. “I have a firm commitment to working in proactive and effective team environments with meaningful discussions, collaborative brainstorming, and strong partnerships.”

Partnerships like those with the Thurston County Chamber and Thurston Economic Development Council. The city has also benefitted from Tumwater’s first Economic Development Manager, who was hired in 2022 to connect with and assist the local business community. Residents, non-profit groups, and local organizations are also welcome to participate in building the future. “We continue to refine outreach and communications efforts to be inclusive and equitable on a variety of platforms,” says Parks.

Issues like infrastructure and urban planning may not seem terribly exciting but imagine a day without roads, sidewalks, parks, schools, or the necessities of 21st century life. Funding and facilitating this inevitable growth requires constant juggling. But Parks understands that “in nearly every instance, balancing the economic development needs of the community with important environmental protections to ensure a sustainable future has been a significant consideration. I intend to invest

“I have a strong belief in the notion that we can do more, together, and hope to continue the partnerships Tumwater already enjoys, and to find new ways to collaborate with our partners, stakeholders, and community.” my knowledge and expertise from past experiences in the City's collaborative efforts to help shape the community and sustain and grow the quality of life in Tumwater and the region.”

Tumwater hopes to hold on to history well into the future. “Our economic development plan is centered around the legacy of brewing,” says Parks. “We are excited to welcome the newest tenants in the Craft District, who are helping us to realize the next step toward the redevelopment of the Brewery District. We have leveraged this momentum to reinvigorate partnerships and opportunities on the former brewery properties, including securing a grant from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency to help with understanding the best path toward redevelopment.” us.”

She and the city also plan to build a stronger Washington by investing in our local childcare network, tackling the housing boom through developing more than 1,200 new units, and shining a light on affordable- and senior-housing projects.

Looking towards the future, Parks is proud of the city’s “well-established reputation as a convener and that we place high value on regional partnerships.” She hopes to build on that foundation while adding in her fresh perspective in a way that enhances current relationships and identifies opportunities for tomorrow.

At the end of the day, Parks believes in transparency, communication, and celebrating Tumwater’s unique, rich history. “I have a strong belief in the notion that we can do more together, and hope to continue the partnerships Tumwater already enjoys, and to find new ways to collaborate with our partners, stakeholders, and community.” Which is a win/win for us all.