Lintott-Alexander Park

Lintott-Alexander Park is a 6-acre (2.4 ha) park in Chehalis, Washington, located west of I-5 and south of Washington State Route 6.[1] Due to its location in a bend of the Chehalis River and at the confluence of the Newaukum River, the park can flood in most years.[2]

Lintott-Alexander Park
Alexander Park
World's Largest Omelet, Alexander Park in Chehalis, July 24, 1931
Lintott-Alexander Park is located in Washington (state)
Lintott-Alexander Park
TypePlayground, picnic, water access
Coordinates46°39′08″N 122°58′59″W
Area6-acre (2.4 ha)
Createdapproximately 1920
FounderFamily of John Alexander
StatusOpen; occasional flood closures
PathsPerimeter walking path
TerrainFlat, river bank
WaterConfluence of Chehalis and Newaukum rivers
Threatened byFlooding
ParkingVehicle parking; 50+
FacilitiesCovered picnic areas, bathrooms

Originally known as Alexander Park, named after the Chehalis family who donated the land to the city in 1920,[1][3][lower-alpha 1] it once contained bath houses, a boardwalk, outdoor kitchens, and a wading pool.[4][5] The park was noted on a national level in 1928 for hosting the baking of the "World's Largest Strawberry Shortcake" and again in 1931 when a 7,200 egg omelet was cooked in a 1/2-ton custom-built frying pan at an annual park picnic.[6][7]

The city briefly turned the park's responsibility over to the Boy Scouts in the 1980s.[3] With increasing liability concerns due to vandalism, coupled with budget and maintenance issues, the park became "overgrown and abandoned" and was closed by the city in 1988.[3][8] In 2004, a prior resident, Jim Lintott, donated $25,000 in honor of his father, beginning a movement to renovate the closed park. Other contributions followed quickly, including a donation raised by a local power plant and its employees to commemorate a local Chehalis resident, Traci Hampton.[1][9]

The restored park was renamed officially as Robert E. Lintott-Alexander Park with permission from the Alexander family and reopened with playgrounds, sport courts, picnic areas, and a perimeter walking path; future maintenance is to be overseen by the Chehalis Foundation and voluntary efforts of the community.[10][11]

See also

Notes
  1. While it is more than likely that the park was donated in 1920, a few sources mention either 1906, or a vague 1920s time frame, as to when the land for Alexander Park was transferred.

References
  1. McClurg, Dian (March 27, 2004). "Community meeting shows high interest in Alexander Park project". The Chronicle. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  2. The Chronicle Staff (July 7, 2021). "Lintott-Alexander Park Benefit Party to Raise Money for Repairs, Maintenance". The Chronicle. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  3. The Chronicle Staff (February 11, 2004). "Small hired to restore Alexander Park". The Chronicle. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  4. "Chehalis Park Board Plans Improvement For The Parks". The Chehalis Bee-Nugget. Vol. 38, no. 47. April 29, 1921. p. 1. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  5. "Chehalis Parks To Open Summer Season Memorial Day". The Daily Chronicle. May 29, 1970. p. 14. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  6. Stein, Alan. "Record-breaking 7,200-egg omelet is cooked in a record-breaking frying pan in Chehalis on July 24, 1931". historylink.org. HistoryLink.org. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  7. Wilber, Amanda (September 9, 2003). "Park closed more than 10 years may reopen". The Chronicle. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  8. McClurg, Dian (July 10, 2004). "Parks Gone Wild". The Chronicle. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  9. The Chronicle Staff (March 1, 2004). "Alexander Park project gets boost from donations". The Chronicle. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  10. "Lintott-Alexander Park". Chehalis Foundation. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  11. Stanton, Carrina (August 2, 2021). "A Party in and for Lintott-Alexander Park in Chehalis". The Chronicle. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
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