After the dark, cold, and rainy days of winter, we are thrilled to welcome the official start of the spring season on March 20! If you’ve spent the winter hibernating, now is the time to start venturing out and getting reacquainted with all of the wonderful outdoor opportunities our city has to offer. From spectacular flower blooms at our parks and gardens to countless sports leagues, classes and activities offered at our fields and community centers, we have endless ways to help you enjoy the warmer weather, longer days, and abundant plant life that springtime brings with it.
Let it bloom
Our parks have been a palette of subdued greens and browns for the past several months. But now is the time that they come alive with vibrant pink, blue, yellow and orange hues. Enjoy the sights and smells of nature’s color show at the following locations:
- Woodland Park Rose Garden: The Rose Garden is one of only two dozen certified American Rose Test Gardens in the United States. At its picturesque best from May through August, the garden displays new rose hybrids before they become available to amateur rose enthusiasts.
- Washington Park Arboretum: This 230-acre park features an impressive assortment of plants and flowers, including rhododendrons, azaleas and cherry blossoms.
- Volunteer Park Conservatory: Stroll through this historic botanical garden and visit the five display houses featuring bromeliads, ferns, palms, seasonal plants, and cacti/succulents.
Get outside
With 465 parks, 120 miles of trails, 6,200 acres of parkland, 25 miles of boulevards, 4 golf courses, 2 small craft centers, 150 play areas, 165 tennis courts, 204 athletic fields, 205 basketball hoops, 112 baseball fields, 14 off-leash dog areas, 120 miles of soft surface trails, and much, much more, we have everything you need to enjoy the outdoors!
- Spring Egg Hunts: We will host free egg hunts at various locations throughout Seattle in March and April! Grab your little ones and bring a bag or basket to hunt for eggs.
- Adult sports programs: Join our adult sports programs! Looking to get active in a fun way, but not sure where to start? Try out our adult sports leagues! Or what about a roller derby class? You like running? Sign up for a track meet! Start getting active by exploring our adult sports leagues and programs.
- Discovery Park: Go for a walk at beautiful Discovery Park, the largest park in our system! Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular views of both the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadowlands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams.
Hit the water
Get out on the water, or at least watch people on the water! You can learn how to row or sail at our small craft centers, or if being a spectator is more your speed, head down to Green Lake on March 18 to watch hundreds of rowers participate in the annual spring regatta.
- Spring Regatta: Green Lake will host the 55th annual spring regatta on March 18. Hundreds of rowers will descend on the lake for a day of nail-biting sprints and friendly competition. Gather your family, take to the grandstands and cheer for your favorite teams.
- Learn to sail: Interested in a family outing? Mount Baker Rowing & Sailing Center offers an Intro to Sailing course that is designed for beginners looking for an introduction to sailing on a larger, more stable boat. The Flying Scot is a 19-foot centerboard sailboat, which can hold up to five people. You will be introduced to the helm, being part of a crew, points of sail, parts of the boats, basic safety rules on the water, and you’ll learn a few sailing knots.
- Adult rowing: Individual and team boat competitions at regional and USA Canoe/Kayak National regattas can be in your future! The Green Lake Small Craft Center offers an Adult Learn to Row class. Join to take part in conditioning, stroke improvement, wake riding, starts and watercraft skills in sprint boats and surf skis.
Get ready for summer
Summer is one of our favorite times of year because the weather is great and the outdoors calls us. Our wading pools are teeming with toddlers, our lawns are filled with picnic baskets, our beaches are dotted with volleyball players and sand castles, and our pools are inundated with swimming kids and seasoned divers.
- Spring/Summer brochures: Our Spring/Summer 2017 Brochures are here! Start planning your seasonal activities, classes, sports leagues, camps, programs and more! See all of our brochures here.
- Scholarships: Thanks to the Seattle Park District, Seattle Parks and Recreation has scholarships available to individuals and families for our programs and activities. Scholarships are based on income and family size, and are available to anyone who qualifies, including seniors and people with disabilities.