Editing Centralia, Washington (section)

==Parks and recreation==
{{main|Parks and recreation in Centralia, Washington}}
[[File:George Washington Park 2023 01.jpg|thumb|upright|George Washington Park, 2023]]

The Centralia parks system is classified into distinct areas categorized as natural areas or open space corridors, neighborhood parks, or community parks.<ref name="CPARMP">{{cite web |title=Centralia Parks and Recreation Master Plan |url=https://www.cityofcentralia.com/DocumentCenter/View/699/Centralia-Parks-Plan-Adopted-6-10-2014 |publisher=City of Centralia |access-date=April 22, 2024 |pages= 23–25 |date=June 10, 2014}}</ref> Recreational areas include sports related ballfields or water parks, and the city designates certain locations, such as buildings and other open spaces, as special facilities.<ref name="CPPM2024">{{cite web |title=Centralia's Park Plan |url=https://www.cityofcentralia.com/DocumentCenter/View/3136/Parks-Board-Agenda-for-January-8-2024 |publisher=Centralia Parks and Recreation Department |access-date=April 22, 2024 |pages=23, 44–47 |date=March 2024 |quote=PDF combined with city board meeting agenda and minutes; scroll down to Park Plan}}</ref>

George Washington Park, in Centralia's downtown district, is home to the Centralia Timberland Library. The park contains the statue, ''The Sentinel'', and the Freedom Walk War Memorial, both honoring Centralia soldiers who lost their lives during [[World War I]]. The statue is also a remembrance to the deaths of American Legion members that occurred during the city's 1919 [[Armistice Day Riot]]. It was placed in 1924<ref name="CTADL"/> and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref>{{cite web |title=NRHP - The Sentinel |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/91001782 |website=NPGallery Digital Asset Management System |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=August 3, 2023}}</ref> A bronze plaque honoring the deaths of members of the [[Industrial Workers of the World|IWW "Wobblies"]] during the Centralia Tragedy was installed next to the statue in 2023.<ref name="CTADL">{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Centralia Tragedy: After decades-long fight, IWW gets plaque for union victims |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/centralia-tragedy-after-decades-long-fight-iww-gets-plaque-for-union-victims,329250 |access-date=November 16, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=November 13, 2023}}</ref> The Freedom Walk was built in 1993 and presents the individual names of veterans who perished in military combat since the First World War.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Freedom Walk and Sentinel Statue Restoration Complete; Twin Cities Memorial Day Ceremonies Set for Monday |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/freedom-walk-and-sentinel-statue-restoration-complete-twin-cities-memorial-day-ceremonies-set-for,319967 |access-date=July 19, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 26, 2023}}</ref>

A preserve encompassing over {{convert|80|acre|ha}}, known as the Seminary Hill Natural Area, was once the home of a seminary. The grounds contains over two miles of trails.<ref>{{cite news |author1=The Seattle Times staff |title=Seminary Hill Natural Area |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/seminary-hill-natural-area/ |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=The Seattle Times |date=September 28, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Holten |first1=Kate |title=Tranquil trail a short drive from downtown Centralia |url=https://tdn.com/lifestyles/tranquil-trails-a-short-drive-from-downtown-centralia/article_206f5559-90f7-5e0f-b67f-c0cf0ace056a.html |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=[[The Daily News (Longview, Washington)]] |date=July 18, 2019}}</ref>

Along the [[Skookumchuck River]], near Hayes Lake in the shopping district, lies the {{convert|4.5|acre|ha|adj=mid}} Riverside Park. The land, originally developed by a local [[rotary club]], was donated to the city in 1983. The park contains a {{convert|44,000|sqft|sqm|2}} skate park and a covered playground.<ref>{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Riverside Park Playground Now Covered Thanks to Rotary Club |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/riverside-park-playground-now-covered-thanks-to-rotary-club,318913 |access-date=July 19, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 8, 2023}}</ref> The Fort Borst blockhouse was temporarily relocated to the site in the late 1910s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Julie |title=White Settlers Flee to Blockhouses During Indian Wars |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/julie-mcdonald-commentary-white-settlers-flee-to-blockhouses-during-indian-wars,300549? |access-date=August 21, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=September 26, 2022}}</ref>

A sports complex known as Bob Peters Field is situated at the Centralia College campus. Named after a long-serving athletic director at the school, the {{convert|4.0|acre|ha|adj=mid}} site hosts fields for baseball, softball, and soccer. It was completed in 2023 and was built, in part, by using over $3 million of student fees.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nance |first1=Jesse |title=Centralia College Honors Campus Stalwart With Bob Peters Field |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/centralia-college-honors-campus-stalwart-with-bob-peters-field,319743 |access-date=July 24, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 23, 2023}}</ref>

A community pool, known as the Veteran's Memorial Pearl Street Pool, was built in the 1950s in Centralia's downtown district,<ref name="CCMT">{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Centralia Council Moves to Let Voters Decide Pearl Street Pool's Fate |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/centralia-council-moves-to-let-voters-decide-pearl-street-pools-fate,304874 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=December 7, 2023}}</ref> it once contained a bathhouse.<ref name="PSPP">{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Pearl Street Pool Permanently Closed; Council Rescinds Ballot Measure Decision After Apparent School Levy Failure |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/pearl-street-pool-permanently-closed-council-rescinds-ballot-measure-decision-after-apparent,314081 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=February 15, 2023}}</ref> The city owned and oversaw operations of the facility until the 1980s when it was transferred to a local nonprofit. Centralia would regain possession of the pool in 2008 but closed it in 2011 due to a combination of expensive repairs and maintenance, lack of funds, and a decrease in staffing.<ref name="CCMT"/> Since its 2011 cessation, various city and community groups have made improvements to the recreation parcel by adding a playground and spray park.<ref>{{cite news |title='It's Been A Long Time Coming:' Pearl Street Memorial Plaza Celebrated |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/its-been-a-long-time-coming-pearl-street-memorial-plaza-celebrated,26613 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 28, 2017}}</ref> Unable to cover approximately $5 million renovation and rebuild costs, the city council, in 2023, decided to permanently cease operations at the pool.<ref name="PSPP"/> The city would fill the pool with dirt, for liability and injury concerns, months later.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=City of Centralia to Fill in Pearl Street Pool to Avoid Liability |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/city-of-centralia-to-fill-in-pearl-street-pool-to-avoid-liability,320663 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 9, 2023}}</ref> A second community pool, known as the Centralia Community Pool, was created by a bond passed in the 1970s and is run under a joint contract between the city, the school district, and a local fitness company. Open to all residents, children and school activities are given priority at the facility.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zylstra |first1=Matthew |title=Centralia Community Pool Supporters Meet to Discuss How to Advocate Amid Possible Cuts After School Levy Failure |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/centralia-community-pool-supporters-meet-to-discuss-how-to-advocate-amid-possible-cuts-after-school,319056 |access-date=August 2, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=May 10, 2023}}</ref>

===Fort Borst Park===
Centralia's largest park is Fort Borst Park located at the junction of the Chehalis and Skookumchuck rivers. The {{convert|101.0|acre|ha|adj=on}} park provides {{convert|2.1|mi}} of paved trails in a forested setting. The site includes a dog park and a large picnic area. Visitors can fish from the river banks or access the waters via a boat launch, or at the park's Borst Lake, which is stocked with rainbow trout.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Vinh |first1=Tan |title=A Walk in the Park: Centralia's Fort Borst popular for picnics and play |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/a-walk-in-the-park-centraliarsquos-fort-borst-popular-for-picnics-and-play/ |access-date=November 10, 2023 |work=The Seattle Times |date=February 20, 2014}}</ref>

The park contains the original Borst Home, a reproduced schoolhouse, and a replicated pioneer church from the 1860s that was completed in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rubin |first1=Will |title=Pioneer Church Replica Taking Shape in Fort Borst Park |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/pioneer-church-replica-taking-shape-in-fort-borst-park,11959? |access-date=August 23, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author1=The Chronicle staff |title=Replica Pioneer Church Opens at Borst Home Museum |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/replica-pioneer-church-opens-at-borst-home-museum,273036? |access-date=August 23, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=September 20, 2021}}</ref> Surrounding the homestead is the Borst Park Arboretum, created in 1960. The arboretum contains the Borst family cemetery , almost 200 trees and a large number of [[rhododendrons]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stanton |first1=Carrina |title=Uncovering a Hidden Gem: Fort Borst Park Master Gardener Demonstration Garden |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/uncovering-a-hidden-gem-fort-borst-park-master-gardener-demonstration-garden,1720 |access-date=November 10, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> The park hosts an annual Christmas-themed "Fort Borst Park Drive-Through Lights" that includes a [[food drive]] and also raises funds for the park department.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fitzgerald |first1=Celene |title=In a Year of Cancellations and Upheaval, Borst Park Christmas Lights Shined Bright |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/in-a-year-of-cancellations-and-upheaval-borst-park-christmas-lights-shined-bright,260308? |access-date=August 23, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=January 11, 2021}}</ref>

Located within Fort Borst Park is Centralia's NW Sports Hub. Officially opened in 2014, the {{convert|76,500|sqft|sqm|2}} complex is owned by a various group of Centralia government bodies and businesses. The hub contains enclosed buildings that house numerous volleyball and basketball courts and fields for indoor baseball and soccer. An attached outdoor component encompasses a mixture of previously built [[Little League]] and adult baseball fields, tennis courts, additional soccer fields, and the Centralia High School track stadium that can seat 3,500 people. In 2023, the outdoor fields received new lighting and turf, with special attention to Wheeler Field, based on funds from the [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Centralia City Council reallocates $250,000 for new Wheeler Field lighting before baseball season |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/centralia-city-council-reallocates-250000-for-new-wheeler-field-lighting-before-baseball-season,328077 |access-date=November 10, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=October 25, 2023}}</ref> The use of the complex is given first priority to the community over events held by private entities<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Owen |title=Centralia City Council Decides to Turf Field Number Three, Wheeler Field at Borst Park |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/centralia-city-council-decides-to-turf-field-number-three-wheeler-field-at-borst-park,320986? |access-date=July 24, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=June 16, 2023 |quote=While Wheeler Field is used by the school district as well, Smith Johnston (Centralia Mayor) added the priority is to keep it a community field first. She wanted community use of the field prioritized over any private industry events.   “I understand the value of the tournaments for our city and I support them, but I do believe our parks are a community resource that the community needs to have priority over,” Smith Johnston said.}}</ref> but the sports compound hosts various tournaments for high school sports, competitions for the Greater Seattle League, and planned college scouting events for local athletes.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McDonald |first1=Julie |title=NW Sports Hub Doing Its Part to Stimulate Local Economy |url=https://www.chronline.com/stories/julie-mcdonald-commentary-nw-sports-hub-doing-its-part-to-stimulate-local-economy,306699 |access-date=July 20, 2023 |work=The Chronicle |date=January 9, 2023}}</ref>