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Recreation
Tam O'Shanter and Lake Sacajawea Parks Showcase Spirit of Kelso and Longview
Stan Rister Stadium is the newest addition to Tam O’Shanter Park in Kelso, a long-standing site for recreation that has united the community since 1958.
Tam O’Shanter Park has been the jewel of Kelso for 50 years‚ and now it shines brighter with the addition of a new diamond – a baseball diamond‚ that is.
No question about it‚ the park has been a recreation paradise for Cowlitz County since it opened in 1958.
“Everybody in this area has always called Tam O’Shanter Park the diamond of Kelso‚” says Tim Mackin‚ director of Kelso Lead Park and Recreation. “We have a lot of stuff that goes on here. It’s just a big part of the community.”
The newest feature of the 41-acre park is Rister Stadium‚ a $2.1 million facility named for the late Stan Rister‚ a youth baseball coach who was an active volunteer for both Little League and Babe Ruth baseball before his death in 1974.
His daughter Jolene McCaw‚ along with her husband‚ Bruce McCaw‚ donated approximately $1.4 million to the construction of the stadium‚ with an additional $700‚000 coming from local donations and in-kind support. The stadium was dedicated in April 2006 before a crowd that included Hall of Fame baseball player Reggie Jackson and several current and former Seattle Mariners.
The stadium‚ which has covered seating for 500‚ is home to the Kelso Babe Ruth League. It also is used by Kelso High School and hosts regional and national youth baseball events.
In addition‚ Tam O’Shanter Park has a field for soccer‚ two horseshoe pits‚ three girls’ fast-pitch softball fields‚ one Babe Ruth field‚ five Bambino fields and a basketball court with six hoops. There is a large playground as well as a covered shelter for rentals. Residents also enjoy the park’s trail for walking‚ jogging or biking.
The park hosts several events throughout the year‚ including the four-day Highlander Festival each September that attracts close to 10‚000 people to celebrate Kelso’s Scottish roots.
“The park is a busy‚ busy place‚” Mackin says.
Things also are busy in Longview at its 60-acre Lake Sacajawea Park. The lake opened as a park in the mid-1920s just after Longview was established.
“What makes this park so unique is that it’s a facility right in the middle of town‚” says Rich Bemm‚ City of Longview Parks and Recreation director. “It’s easily accessible‚ beautifully landscaped‚ and it has a variety of amenities.”
Park users can walk‚ jog or bike 3.5 miles of trails and see many species of trees‚ plants and flowers‚ while the lake itself offers kayaking‚ canoeing and fishing. Several events are held at the park‚ including the annual Go-4th celebration during the Fourth of July holiday.
Additionally‚ residents here also may enjoy various other recreational opportunities provided by the Cowlitz County Park and Recreation Department‚ including the 58-acre Riverside Park on the Cowlitz River and the 60-acre Willow Grove Park on the Columbia River.
Story by Michael W. Bunch
Photo by John McBryde
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