By Esti Izuagbe
If you want a place to relax and soak in the sun with your friends or family this summer, but don’t want to drive out to an ocean beach, then pick Long Lake in Lacey. During the summer, the lake is always filled with friendly faces from the greater Lacey area. Long Lake (otherwise known as “The Lake” by most) has been around since 1983. It is 10 acres of land that is adjacent to the Thurston County Fairgrounds.
Even though I have lived in this area my whole life, I visited Long Lake for the first time this summer. It was not what I had expected to see because I thought I would arrive to see a open field descending into the lake. Instead, I drove past the entrance with a sign reading “Long Lake” and traveled down the gravel path into a parking lot. This field was covered with grass that featured a side by side sand volleyball courts, and a gorgeous view of the lake, and swimming dock.
Christina Ortega, a Thurston County local, has been actively going to the lake for the last two summers. She says the first time she went to the lake, she was having a picnic with some friends and it turned out to be a lot of fun. “I honestly thought it was really crowded,” Ortega mentioned as she spoke about her first impression of the lake. Since then she been going back to the lake because she loves the energy and all her friends keep inviting her back. “I honestly think that Long Lake is an awesome place even though it’s crowded because you go there and know who’s going to be there,” she adds. “You’re just never alone there. I definitely suggest going to the lake.”
Lexi Madison is also a Thurston County local who has been coming to the lake since she was in the second grade. She remembers riding on a boat and falling off since she did not turn the correct way. She compared it to riding a motorcycle saying that you have to lean opposite of the way you’re turning so that you don’t fall over. Apparently, she did the exact opposite and fell straight into the water. She thought there were sharks in the waters and actually feared for her life. She was very nonchalant and let a shrug roll off her shoulders before replying with, “Yeah, it was. I mean I didn’t die, so it’s fine.”
Madison is very fascinated with Long Lake because she gets to do things like tubing and jet skiing. “We have a boat now, so we go boating.” She even mentioned that one of the greatest things about going to the lake, is that you do not even have to go in to the water. You can just relax, take in the sun, and be near the water.
The first time I went to Long Lake, I went with my best friend and laid out on a blanket with some snacks. Long Lake is very calm. You get the chance to interact with other visitors and make new friends, but if you feel like flying solo no one will bother with you.
My overall favorite part of Long Lake is being in the water. While lifeguards have many swimmers to watch, they will keep an eye on you. Life vests are also available if you need one. I do not see things letting up any time soon at Long Lake. I can see this place being busy for the rest of the summer and many more summers to come.
Long Lake
2790 Carpenter Road in Lacey
Park hours – 7:00 a.m. – dusk
