Jim Haslett’s years of devotion to the Mayme Shaddock Park in Napavine were commemorated on Thursday, June 27, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, where friends, family and local officials gathered and shared stories of Haslett’s volunteer work, gardening skills and community leadership.
The park’s newly named Jim Haslett Kitchen is the culmination of seven years of effort by the City of Napavine with the help of Lewis County. Kitchen renovation began in 2018, when Napavine began collecting donations after learning the previous kitchen needed to be torn down. The city started construction in September 2023.
Haslett died Feb. 17, 2022. He was a Mossyrock High School graduate and entered the U.S Army three days after his graduation. He served for six years.
Of the people gathered at Mayme Shaddock Park on Thursday morning, almost everyone had a story to share about Haslett and his positive effect on themselves and the community at large.
Haslett’s nieces Amanda Patton and Amber Jonas recalled how he would dress up as Santa and put up lights and decorations throughout the park.
The family talked fondly of their memories of family reunions and volleyball games held in the park. Haslett’s granddaughter, Salina James, laughed when saying, “I wasn’t even born yet when he started looking after the park! He had always been taking care of it.”
According to Haslett’s son-in-law, Brian Morris, Haslett and his family moved to the area in 1972. Before working with the city, Haslett worked at Yard Birds, where a young Sheriff Rob Snaza was also employed before entering law enforcement.
“Jim was the lead accountant and I was working there while I was in college.” Snaza said. “He helped me with my accounting class work when I needed it.”
Snaza called Haslett a true public servant, saying, “He was at the park every day doing everything he could with very little.”
Snaza described Haslett and his wife, LaVerne Haslett, as a part of the fabric of the town.
LaVerne could not be at the dedication because she has moved out of state, but she sent a letter that was read by her friend Lynette Hoffman at the ceremony.
In it, LaVerne Haslett said, “We don’t often know what is behind it when we see someone being so honored. But we should think there is a reason. Something bigger than just a name … The family is grateful to the city for honoring Jim. We know just how dedicated he was. There wasn’t much that Jim held more dear than his family. But this little park was right up there.”
Napavine Mayor Shawn O’Neill said Jim Haslett was adamant about the kitchen being restored or reconstructed.
After trying to redo the former kitchen’s rotting structure, Jim Haslett knew it had to be completely renovated. The project ran into financial hardship after the costs of many construction materials doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eventually, a team from Napavine was able to pitch the idea to Lewis County commissioners that aided in funding the kitchen.
“The kitchen has been a long time coming,” said Napavine Police Chief John Brockmueller. “The city has worked hard and the citizens are already enjoying its presence.”
O’Neill recognized Jim Haslett’s role in spearheading the project and highlighted the time and effort of others who worked to get the kitchen built.
“Thank you to the county commissioners who were willing to fill that gap — well more than just a gap. More than half of it,” O’Neill said of the funding for the kitchen.
He continued, “This is a great example of what happens when people focus on what community really is.”
The City of Napavine applied for and received a grant of $258,900 from the Washington state Recreation and Conservation Organization in 2021, which helped fund the kitchen project. Lewis County contributed $470,000, and the City of Napavine covered the remaining $86,500.
Lewis County Commissioner Lindsey Pollock added, “Lewis County is special because it comes together to fill those gaps.”
Before the ribbon was cut, O’Neill highlighted Jim Haslett’s dedication to the park once more and said he hopes the importance of volunteer work like Haslett’s will be taught to future generations.
After the ribbon-cutting, which was hosted by Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cynthia Mudge, attendees talked together and enjoyed refreshments in the Jim Haslett Kitchen.
To make a reservation for the kitchen, visit the City of Napavine office during business hours Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or call 360-262-3547. Mayme Shaddock Park is located at 555 Second Ave. NE in Napavine.
