Centralia Parks: Connecting the Future

By Cynthia Mudge
For the C-C Chamber of Commerce

Centralia, Washington, is a city defined by its balance between natural beauty and community spirit. With parks tucked into neighborhoods, lining the rivers, and woven through its historic landmarks, Centralia offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities that reflect both its past and its vision for the future.

From the sprawling 120-acre Fort Borst Park—home to scenic trails, water access, historic Borst structures, ballfields, and picnic kitchens—to the quaint, brick-lined Central Park alleyway nestled downtown, Centralia’s park system is as varied as it is vibrant.

Whether residents are skateboarding at the Fuller’s Twin City Skate Park—located inside Rotary Riverside Park—or hiking through Seminary Hill and other wooded greenbelts, the city offers something for every outdoor enthusiast.

But as the city looks ahead, planning for population growth is key. Centralia is projected to grow by 31% over the next 20 years, a shift that presents both opportunities and challenges.

Maintaining the city’s small-town feel while expanding services and amenities requires strategic investment—and in 2024, the Centralia City Council took a major step in that direction.

The launch of the Hub City Greenways Initiative signals a bold vision to enhance connectivity, livability, and access to nature. The long-term goal: create 35 miles of connected trails and walkways that link neighborhoods, parks, and open spaces.

Currently, the city boasts eight miles of established trails, but this new initiative aims to transform that network into an interconnected system of both urban and nature-based trails.

Ten neighborhood “hubs” have been proposed as part of the plan, each serving as an access point to the broader greenway system. In total, Centralia has 414 acres of parks and open spaces and more than 1,900 acres of shoreline—an impressive natural asset base that will become more accessible thanks to the project.

“The Hub City Greenways is more than a parks initiative,” said Kyle Markstrom, Parks & Buildings Operations Manager, who is helping lead the effort. “It’s about creating a walkable, connected, and healthy city—one that invites residents outdoors and attracts investment in neighborhoods and local businesses.”

The initiative also promotes civic engagement. Residents and business owners are encouraged to take part through public meetings, volunteer work parties, and other community-led events.

“We will have many opportunities in the future for community input on the trails as well as volunteer opportunities,” Markstrom added.

With its ambitious greenways plan, Centralia isn’t just preparing for future growth—it’s shaping a city where outdoor spaces serve as vital threads connecting people, places, and possibilities.

For more information about the Hub City Greenways Initiative, visit:
www.cityofcentralia.com/565/Hub-City_Greenways