As we ramp up our efforts to implement the Park District, we’re reflecting on the many significant accomplishments of 2014 for Seattle Parks and Recreation. We are excited about the many opportunities we were able to provide Seattle families and individuals last year.
In the Recreation Division, Aquatics staff taught 320,000 swim lessons; the Business Service Center expanded the use of Quick Cards, offering more affordable opportunities for people to exercise and recreate; in support of the Mayor’s Summer of Safety Initiative, Parks reallocated approximately $125,000 to provide programs to “activate” parks in certain Seattle neighborhoods.
- In the Regional Parks & Strategic Outreach Division, we completed the new Jackson Park Golf Course Driving Range; we established a new Center City Parks Unit that combined maintenance, activation and park rangers; after completion of a renovation project in Building 11 in Magnuson Park, Waldorf High School and the Cascade Bicycle Club moved in as tenants.
In the Parks Division, we completed the Environmental Stewardship Report to convey the great work of our environmental program; the Green Seattle Partnership removed 40 acres of invasive species, planted 66,000 plants and trees and weeded 191 acres of forest; the Youth Green Corps served 11 youth for nine months and the Corps restored three acres of parkland and a half-mile of trail.
- In the Planning & Development Division, renovations were completed at Magnuson Park’s Building 30, 11 and 18; other completed projects included the renovation of the Volunteer Park Conservatory and the completion of Bell Street Park in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood.
We look forward to the year ahead and to continuing to serve the people of Seattle.