Friends of Stan and Joan Cross Park
fsjcp.org
Community Services and Events
Stan & Joan Cross Park
Frederickson's only public park
The "Friends of Stan and Joan Cross Park" organization commenced a ten years plus fundraising drive, and a serious pledge to begin their journey to one day witness their dream of a public park coming to fruition. On September 12, 2020 Phase I was finalized, completed, and opened to the public.
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Mayflower dairy barn has a rich story
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Stan and Joan Cross Park Opens
Pierce County Parks has completed the development of the northern 4 acres of the 64-acre Stan and Joan Cross Park site. This development represents phase 1 of the park’s master plan. Stan and Joan Cross Park is the first and only public park serving the rapidly expanding community of Frederickson. Purchased in 2003, this property lies in the heart of an urban growth area, and the new park and community center feature environmentally friendly, much-needed outdoor and indoor recreation spaces. The new park is a multi-faceted and valuable resource for residents. It provides community green space, a universally accessible playground, two historic barns refurbished into a community center, indoor and outdoor event spaces, and picnic areas. A unique aspect of this project is the inclusion of two historic dairy barns, which were restored and improved using sustainable building strategies. Retaining most of their historic materials and assemblages, these buildings serve to educate about local history and current sustainable building practices. Sustainable building design and construction includes the salvage and reuse of materials from the barns and secondary outbuildings, such as milking stanchions, repurposed in the community center’s entry design. The interior walls feature paneling made from reconstituted straw, the waste product of grain production, and a renewable resource. Water and energy efficiency are built into the restored barn’s systems, and indoor air quality is improved through low-VOC finishes. Cross Park’s design incorporates pathways and accessible picnicking opportunities near wetlands and forested areas adjacent to the newly improved Naches Trail Preserve prairie habitat, giving residents an opportunity to connect with nature. The park also includes plans for the important ongoing restoration of the headwaters of Clover Creek and the adjacent priority habitat of prairie grassland, white oak savannah, and wetland. These efforts will help preserve the open space around Cross Park, allowing for wildlife viewing and the mental health benefits nature provides, in an otherwise suburban environment. Construction began in June 2019 and was completed in September 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings, a virtual grand opening has been planned to introduce the community to Stan & Joan Cross Park and the Frederickson Community Center. To view the virtual grand opening, please visit the Cross Park web page. While the community center will remain closed in the near future, the playground, parking lot, accessible restrooms, and park grounds are open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Park operating hours may change as we move through fall and winter and daylight hours shorten.
Friends of Stan and Joan Cross Park (FSJCP), with its 15-member Board of Directors, along with members of the Frederickson Community, were ecstatic to learn that the Cross Park “bid” and “construction” timeline was recently announced by the Pierce County Parks Department, for Phase One development. This community public park has been in the planning and design stage for over a decade involving numerous “eyes and ears” from many different interest groups, community members, “FSJCP”, Pierce County Parks Development, state legislators—along with architects, engineers, consultants and park analyst. Many thanks to the “FSJCP” for their strong support and for being a driving force and a major link in the overall planning, promoting and leadership in bringing this soon-to-be quality public park to the Frederickson area. When developed, it will be the only public park that exists between Spanaway Park – 5 miles to the west and Bradley Park – 5 miles to the East. “FSJCP” members have worked courageously, constructively and with a cognitive spirit and a genuine attitude for a “let’s-get-it-done” fortitude. What a vision – What a journey – What determination we possessed – What an education and experience it has become. Someday, soon we will be able to watch the public enter Cross Park and enjoy the children’s play areas and equipment, benches, trails, bathrooms, parking, landscaping, park entry, signage, picnics and the total rehabilitation of the historical “Mayflower Dairy Barn” converted into a community center. The projected cost of Cross Park Phase One – $7 million. Phase II, III, IV will be planned in later stages involving the remainder 60 plus acres.
In the creation and development of Cross Park, “FSJCP” continued to be a driving force and a spirited spark plug in our working relationship and networking avenue with the Pierce County Parks Department staff – what resources, direction, information, and materials they supplied. Our park agenda toiled in many directions on occasion, even to the point we would get lost in park jargon, regulations, and process. However, the group would always find its way back – becoming stronger with our “voice, persuasion, and conviction”. Our energy, influence, and contributions became apparent and contagious as we mastered thru a host of difficult regulations and state/county requirements over a decade of work – sometimes appearing to be a “Jekyll and Hyde” issue and/or confrontations –however, our adventurous ways usually prevailed. Cross Park will be an asset and true treasure standing tall when all four phases of construction are completed.
Stan Cross, FSJCP
The Frederickson Community Center at Cross Park can host a variety of events such as weddings, receptions, showers, staff retreats, classes, and lectures. The outside grounds are available for drop-in picnics with tables, a playground, and adjacent to a natural preserve and walking area.
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