Anderson Athletic Field:

This facility covers 15-acres of land donated by L.V. Raymond. It is located in Riverdale, the northern residential area of the City. The construction of this facility was completed by volunteer labor and donated materials in the late 1940's. It is comprised of a Little League, Babe Ruth, and “T” ball baseball field, each with their own bleachers. There is also an indoor batting shed. All the fields are lighted for night use. The entire facility is enclosed with chain link fencing and offers surrounding parking for 400 cars. The City manages the Park’s utilities, with the maintenance being performed by the Willapa Harbor Softball Association.

 

Lion's Club Park:

 

The one-acre Park was constructed using volunteer labor and materials on donated land. The Lion’s Club Park is located along Highway 105 and adjoined to the Anderson Athletic Field. Parking is available at the street side or the Anderson Athletic Field parking lot. The park has picnic tables, a covered picnic shelter, children’s play equipment, and an outdoor basketball court. Entrance to the park is had by crossing a short wooden planked bridge overlaying Armstrong Creek, commonly referred to as Riverdale Creek, which flows through the park. The park is managed and maintained by the City’s Parks Department.

 

L.V. & Stella Raymond Memorial Park (formerly named Eighth Street Park):

 

This is a 7.5-acre park located in the northeast corner of Raymond just two blocks off Highway 101 in the residential area adjacent to the downtown core. The Park features paved parking lots with 50 parking spaces. Asphalted pathways lead from these parking areas throughout the park. Benches along the walkways for the public are especially enjoyed by the senior citizens. Included in the park are two softball fields with bleachers, an outdoor basketball court, two unlighted tennis courts, a horseshoe pit, and a children's play area equipped with a large play set. The park also has picnic tables and barbecue stands. There are public restrooms and a concession stand operated by the softball association at their games. The Park has been developed to near maximum capacity. This well maintained park is available for private functions by making prior reservations at City Hall.

 

Willapa Landing Park:

 

This 12-acre park abuts the North Fork of the Willapa River located east of SR101 on Franklin Street. It was constructed in 1992 on property adjacent to the L.V. & Stella Raymond Memorial Park. This Park includes a concrete boat launch, docks, fishing pier, plenty of parking, restrooms, picnic facilities, interpretive displays, and a wetland trail. The park was constructed over a 4-year period utilizing funds from the State Interagency Commission for Outdoor Recreation (IAC), Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Land Enhancement Account (ALEA), Coastal Zone Management program, and the donation of $80,000 from the estate of Marjorie Morse Carse, an active supporter of the Raymond community. Prior to the creation of this park, the City’s waterfront was virtually inaccessible to the public.

 

Skateboard Park:

 

This Park is collocated with the Willapa Landing Park and adjacent to the L.V. & Stella Raymond Memorial Park. It is comprised of six skateboard ramps of various sizes, slopes, and features that are mounted to a 100’ X100’ concrete pad.

 

Fifth Street Park:

 

This highly manicured Park is located on Fifth Street in the downtown business area of the City. It is also known as Veterans Memorial Park and was dedicated on November 11, 1940. The park has a veteran’s memorial statue, plaque, and flagpole. The land was deeded to the City from Pacific County to promote leisurely and outdoor recreational opportunities for the public. This park covers 2.3 acres and is in three sections. Two of the sections are surrounded by elm and maple trees with beds of various shrubs and flowers throughout the park. The third section has recently been renovated and contains a large wood carved statue portraying a logger. Beds of ornamental trees and shrubs surround the statue. A Longshoreman statue donated by the local Longshoremen is also located in the park. In the center of the Park, bordering Commercial Street is a recently constructed Visitor’s Information Center with public restrooms and concessions area. The Park is filled with activity during the Raymond Days Festival held each year in August. During this event, the park is filled with fun activities, events, entertainment, and of course a various vendors providing food and materials to the public. The north end of the park contains the Dr. O.R. Nevitt Memorial Swimming Pool and children’s wadding pool. The old play equipment and swing sets were recently replaced by a lavish play set designed by a local artist and constructed of concrete with metal ornamentations. The public library is adjacent to the park and pools.

 

Visitor Information Center:

 

In 1998, the Chamber of Commerce constructed a Visitor Information Center in the Fifth Street Park, which is in the heart of the downtown core on Commercial Street. This structure is complete with public restrooms and a concessions area. Directional signs are installed on highway 101 advising visitors of the Center. The Center is open daily and operated by a representative of the Chamber of Commerce with assistance from volunteers.

 

Dr. O.R. Nevitt Memorial Swimming Pool:

 

The Pool was constructed between 1952 and 1955 by an ambitious community volunteer effort to serve all citizens in North Pacific County. The pool was then given to the City of Raymond. The O.R. Nevitt Memorial Pool is the only public swimming pool in Pacific County. The Pool is located in the Fifth Street Park. It is an above ground concrete structure supported on piles. The pool is surrounded with a brick building. Locker rooms and mechanical equipment are located with the structure at ground level around the perimeter of the pool. The pool is oval shaped with a length of 76 feet and an average with of 41 feet. This full size, open air, above ground, concreted, heated pool underwent a major renovation project in 2010, including resurfacing the pool walls, deck, and locker room floors; installation of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) elevator; updating plumbing and electrical services; and converting from a dated propane water heating device to a more economical electrical water heating system. The adjacent children’s wadding pool was also refurbished. The pool is an outdoor facility and therefore its operation is limited to the warm weather month. The pool operates according to State law, is annually permitted by the local health department, and has lifeguards on duty. The facility is owned by the City of Raymond and ran by the People Organized to Operate Leisure Activities (P.O.O.L.) which is a non-profit corporation incorporated in 1992 and organized under Washington State Law.

 

Public Library:

 

Constructed in 19?? this facility is on the National Historic Landmark Registrey Theater: The Raymond Theatre was built in 1928 by Asef G. Basil and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. The 360-seat movie house has been restored and features a five-rank Wurlitzer Theatre pipe organ. This historic building shows feature films and live performances on the large stage. The Theatre can be rented, when not in use for regularly scheduled activities. At the historic Raymond Theater, you can host birthdays, video game parties, reunions, weddings, business presentations, meetings, and more. Imagine watching your favorite movie or playing video games on the big screen. Concessions are also available to purchase during your rental time.

 

South Fork Landing Park:

 

In 1994, the State Parks and Recreation Commission acquired the Burlington Northern Railroad corridor between Chehalis and South Bend. State Parks granted the City the rights to be the lead entity in developing approximately 5-acres bordering the South Fork of the Willapa River in downtown Raymond. Through numerous grant sources, the city constructed a 4000 s.f. pier with floating docks, a plaza with a small amphitheater, an off-street parking lot, and made street and sidewalk improvements. The city acquired the old Pacific County Lumber yard building and renovated it. The building is currently occupied by the Willapa Seaport Museum at one end and a Public Market at the other. Public restrooms were also added. A new City building was constructed adjacent to the old lumberyard building in partnership with Dennis Company. This building is now home to the Northwest Carriage Museum and displays many varieties of restored hoarse coaches and carriages. The two structures have a common covered deck adjoining them. A Veteran’s Memorial monument with plaques honoring service members from the area that made the ultimate sacrifice, was constructed at the entrance to the Park. Flying high above the Veteran’s monument are the National, Prisoner of War & Missing in Action (POW & MIA), and Washington State flags. Several of the notable Steel Statues used to landscape the City can be viewed in this Park. A segment of the Willapa Bay Water Trail crosses through the Park with terminus at the abandoned railroad bridge on the South Fork of the Willapa River. Near the old railroad bridge is the remnants of an 2-feet thick concrete bunker formerly used as a bank vault by the previously adjoining lumber mill. The public pier and floating dock at the end of Third Street provide safe access at rivers edge for pedestrians, viewing, fishing, hand-launched boats, and transient moorage. Public Market: This nonprofit business provides locally produced products, hand-made items, fresh produce, quilts, herbs, and more. The Market is open mid-May through mid-December. Collocated is the same building as the Willapa Seaport Museum on the grounds of the Riverfront Park. Public restrooms, nonmotorized trailhead, and public dock are available at this location.

 

Willapa Seaport Museum:

 

Visitors will find an astonishing myriad of marine artifacts, information, insight, humor, and memorabilia, all of nautical significance, at this independently operated museum. The Museum ties together displays from the logging industry to shipbuilding, from the life saving service to the Spruce Division (WWI), and from Native Americans to Lightships and Lighthouses. Several collections of thousands of valuable items tie the history of Willapa Bay and the Pacific Northwest to the sea. The Museum is located at 310 Alder Street in the Riverfront Park.

 

Northwest Carriage Museum:

 

Take a trip back in time at the Northwest Carriage Museum on the Raymond waterfront. This facility had over 400 visitors for its grand opening on Labor Day weekend, 2002. The museum features 24 turn of the century antique horse drawn carriages that will transport you in style back to the days of corsets and top hats to stir your imagination. Some of the carriages include a Shelburne Landau that was used in the movies “Gone with the Wind” and “Jezebel”, a road coach that evokes memories of the old Western Stagecoaches, and an antique hearse with ornate woodwork. The ancestors to automobiles, these carriages are works of art. They have been meticulously restored by a private entity and put on display for your viewing pleasure. The Museum is located at 314 Alder Street in the Riverfront Park. The primary mission of the Northwest Carriage Museum is education. Our goals include educating visitors abut turn of the century life and the history of transportation, and developing educational programming for schoolchildren and adults. The Museum is a result of the partnership between the City of Raymond and the Northwest Carriage Museum. The carriages in the museum and the museum building itself belong to the City of Raymond while the Northwest Carriage Museum is responsible for preserving the collection and for museum operations. The City of Raymond has agreed to be responsible for utility bills, building maintenance, and insurance. Many of the carriages in the museum were the Cadillacs of their day, with ivory door locks, brocade trim, and leather interior. Included in the museum’s carriage collection are Belle Watling’s carriage from Gone With the Wind, a meticulously restored Hansom Cab, and a carved panel hearse. The museum is family friendly, offering several interactive and kid friendly displays. Try on a buckskin vest or a bonnet, climb into the Democrat wagon and have a “pioneer moment”. Or learn how to put a wheel together in the wheelwright’s shop. The family will have lots of fun while learning, too!Museum HistoryThe NW Carriage Museum was born with the vision of Raymond residents Gary and Cec Dennis. Their interest in turn of the century history inspired them to collect and restore these special carriages to their former elegance.With the dream of sharing the carriages with the public, the Dennis’ donated them to the City of Raymond in 1999. The dream became reality in September 2002 with the opening of The Northwest Carriage Museum. Since our opening thousands of people have stepped back in time at the museum and learned about transportation at the turn of the century.Over the years the museum has continued to evolve and grow. The Wheelwright Shop, Zoetrope, and other interactive exhibits were added in 2004 to bring more child oriented exhibits to the museum. The children’s exhibits have helped make the museum a fun learning experience for the entire family.

 

Willapa Bay Water Trail:

 

The Trail embraces the unspoiled Willapa Bay estuary and is a part of the nearly 700 miles of hiking trails managed by the Washington State Parks Department. The State Parks acquired the 57-mile segment of railroad line abandoned by the Burlington Northern Railroad Company in 1993 and transformed it into a part of the State’s cross-state trail system. This segment of line constituted the only rail corridor extending into Raymond, to its southerly terminus in South Bend. In 1995, the City of Raymond entered into an agreement with the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to develop the 3.5-mile stretch of line passing thru Raymond, to its southerly terminus in South Bend. The trail was widened, asphalted, and in 1996 dedicated exclusively for non-motorized activity. An improved spur off the main trail follows the original trestle, running through the downtown Riverfront Park, and terminates at the derelict train bridge that previously spanned the South Fork of the Willapa River. The train bridge is not passable. Therefore, the trail has been rerouted to cross the highway 101 bridge and rejoins the former railroad a short distance beyond the opposite end of the old train bridge. A restroom was constructed in 2013 near the trailhead in South Bend. The 1998 Comprehensive Plan devoted most of this section to the east-west trail in the northern portion of the County. The discussion was fueled by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s acquisition of the rail corridor between Chehalis and South Bend. State Parks acquired this property when it was abandoned as a railroad corridor. Parenthetically, it should be noted that the previous railroad owner’s possess a reversionary interest in the property. In other words, State Parks owns the corridor between Chehalis and South Bend, unless the corridor reverts to railroad use. For the near future, there are no plans to resume rail service between Chehalis and South Bend. Portions of the trail have been constructed with at least a rocked surface and are used by residents. Plans regarding additional improvements in the unincorporated areas are unknown at this time.

 

Wildlife-Heritage Sculpture Corridor:

 

Enchanting steel sculptures of wildlife and people enliven the Raymond scenery along Highway 101, State Route 6, and throughout downtown Raymond. Incorporated into the Raymond landscape in 1993, the sculptures were designed by local artists to reflect the heritage of the area. Loggers, Native Americans, elk, and bear are some of the subjects portrayed in the steel sculptures that visitors discover. Visitors may purchase replicas of the steel statues through the Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Case's Pond: This is a three-acre pond with a small fishing dock. It is in a lush wooded area located in the eastern residential area of town along highway 105. It is a favorite fishing spot of the local children and fishing is restricted for their use only. The Lion’s Club maintains the Pond and stocks it with Rainbow Trout each year, just in time for the juvenile fishing tournament. Joe Krupa Wayside: Nestled along side State Route 101, this scenic pull-off provides daytime use for picnicking. The site overlooks the Willapa River and provides picnic tables and a SaniCan. The Lion’s Club sponsors and manages this wayside on property belonging to Washington State Department of Transportation. SR101 Landscape Corridor: The city maintains the planting areas between the two bridges along both sides of SR101. The areas require mowing, weeding, litter pick-up, tree trimming, etc. Street Trees: There are approximately 150 street trees in downtown Raymond, most are planted in sidewalk cutouts. The sidewalk cutouts require weeding and the trees must be trimmed. Street Flower Boxes: The City has approximately 35 concrete flower boxes, approximately four feet long by two feet wide, positioned at points throughout the downtown area that are equipped with irrigation lines. Hanging Flower Baskets: Each spring the Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce purchases approximately 40 hanging flower baskets to beautify the streets of Raymond. The City uses the bucket truck to hang the baskets throughout the downtown area at points that have been equipped with water drip lines for irrigation. Heritage Square Park: This half-block park is located at the corner of Third and Commercial Streets in the heart of the downtown core. It is the former site of the Raymond Hotel, which was destroyed by a massive fire in 1995. The City obtained the property for cleanup and entered into an agreement with the Washington Community Development Association (WCDA) to obtain funding to construct a new multi-unit shopping center with residential rental space on the second floor. The city signed over the property title to the WCDA under conditions that development would take place. However, the funding failed to develop and the project has stalled. The property title, by default, should go back to the City but the WCDA wished to keep it. The park is maintained by the City Parks Department despite non-ownership.