A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Jim Haslett Kitchen at Mayme Shaddock Park in Napavine will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 27.
All are welcome. The kitchen will be available to rent for the public. It is named in honor of former city council member Jim Haslett, who died Feb. 17, 2022.
Haslett was a Mossyrock High School graduate and entered the U.S Army three days after his graduation. He served for six years.
“His commitment to serving not only his nation but his local community was evident in his participation in spearheading the project to build the park as well as serving on the Napavine City Council and volunteering his time to maintain the Mayme Shaddock Park,” the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce stated in a news release.
His dedication was critical to the park’s revitalization, according to the chamber.
The Napavine City Council signed a proclamation shortly after his death recognizing his civic service and dedication to the park and those who use it.
The Jim Haslett Kitchen is the result of seven years of effort by the City of Napavine with the help of Lewis County. The 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.
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.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be provided by the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce. Attendees are encouraged to explore the park after the ceremony.
Mayme Shaddock Park is located at 555 Second Ave. NE in Napavine.
