Welcome Figure
Nisqually State Park, currently under development near Eatonville, WA, is constructing a new visitor/welcome center and interpretive plaza as part of its Phase 3B development, aimed for completion around 2026. The facility will feature Nisqually Tribe history, culture, and language, and will act as the hub for a 13-mile trail system. The park is temporarily closed for construction to create this new visitor center, an interpretive plaza, and infrastructure like a roundabout.
The Welcome Figure was carved as part of an apprenticeship for Ablaza Pluff to learn with teacher NoiseCat. The Welcome Figure was in the tribal cultural center after completion, then installed at the park during summer 2025. There was a small ceremony afterward, attended by the NoiseCat family and many WA Parks and Nisqually employees.
The Welcome Figure project was funded by the Nisqually Tribe and the Washington Endowment for the Arts.
Key Details on the Visitor/Welcome Center Project:
- Location & Purpose: Situated above the Ohop Valley and Nisqually River, the visitor center will serve as the starting point for visitors, featuring educational, cultural, and historical information from the Nisqually Tribe.
- Components: The development includes a main welcome center building, a one-way loop road, an interpretive plaza, and an ADA-accessible trail leading to an overlook of the Mashel River valley.
- Future Amenities: The area will eventually feature a 52-unit campground, picnic areas, and a “Milk Barn” that will serve as an equestrian center.
- Status: The park is currently closed to the public for construction, with major development and the visitor center project ongoing through 2026.
- Partnership: The project is a close partnership between Washington State Parks and the Nisqually Indian Tribe, emphasizing the cultural significance of the area.
