Chronicle Staff
A grand opening celebration for the new Jim Haslett Kitchen at Mamie Shaddock Park in Napavine will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 27th.
Anyone is welcome to use the kitchen. The kitchen is available for public use. It is named in honor of former City Councilman Jim Haslett, who passed away on February 17, 2022.
Haslett graduated from Mossyrock High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army three days after graduation. He served for six years.
“His passion for giving back to his local community as well as his country is evident from his involvement in spearheading park construction projects, his service as a Napavine City Councilman and his volunteer time maintaining Mamie Shaddock Park,” the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce said in a news release.
According to the Chamber of Commerce, his dedication was crucial to the park's revitalization.
Shortly after his death, the Napavine City Council signed a proclamation honoring his civic service and dedication to parks and park users.
The Jim Haslett Kitchen is the result of a seven-year effort by the City of Napavine with support from Lewis County. Renovation of the kitchen began in 2018 when the City of Napavine began collecting donations after learning the previous kitchen would need to be demolished. The City plans to break construction in September 2023.
The City of Napavine applied for and received a $258,900 Washington State Recreation and Conservation Council grant in 2021 to fund the kitchen project. Lewis County contributed $470,000 and the City of Napavine contributed the remaining $86,500.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be hosted by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. After the ceremony, be sure to take a stroll through the park.
Mamie Shaddock Park is located at 555 Second Ave. NE in Napavine.
