Thanks to funding from the Seattle Park District, Seattle Parks and Recreation is proud to announce a $2.1 million investment to expand community center public hours at Delridge, Rainier Beach, Van Asselt, Miller, Northgate, Yesler, Bitter Lake, and Laurelhurst Community Centers.
This investment increases facility availability for free drop-in activities, childcare programs, recreation programming, community events, and building rentals. 104 weekly hours will be added systemwide across these facilities to support increased public access, with a focus on expanding evening and weekend access in response to stated community preference.
“Seattle’s community centers are key pillars within the Seattle Parks and Recreation system. In addition to enabling health, recreation, and fitness, they serve as anchors to many of our neighborhoods and support a thriving environment and strong communities. I am thrilled we are investing $2.1 million to expand operating hours at several of our centers this fall. This investment will support greater access for children, youth, and adults to have places to gather, learn, play, and be safe,” said Superintendent AP Diaz.
Allocation of hours was determined based on a variety of factors, including evaluating how these hours could further support racial equity, as well as honoring existing partnerships (Seattle Housing Authority, Seattle Preschool Program, etc.).
Implementation of expanded hours is scheduled to take effect on Monday, September 11 and is dependent on sufficient staffing levels.
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Weekly Planned Increase in Community Center Public Hours
| Center | Baseline Weekly Hours Fall 2019 | Expanded Weekly Hours Fall 2023 | Weekly Hours Gain |
| Delridge Community Center | 43 | 66 | 23 |
| Rainier Beach Community Center | 73 | 81 | 8 |
| Van Asselt Community Center | 45 | 49 | 4 |
| Miller Community Center | 40 | 52 | 12 |
| Northgate Community Center | 45 | 55 | 10 |
| Yesler Community Center | 57 | 66 | 9 |
| Bitter Lake Community Center | 68 | 81 | 13 |
| Laurelhurst Community Center | The Park District investment reinstated the 2019 baseline hours at Laurelhurst (25 hours) that were eliminated in the City’s 2022 adopted budget. | 25 | |
| TOTAL: | 371 | 475 | 104 |
New Planned Expanded Community Center Public Hours
Effective Monday, September 11, 2023, and dependent on staffing levels
Delridge Community Center: M-F, 9:30a.m. to 9p.m.; SAT, 9:30a.m. to 6p.m.
Rainier Beach Community Center: M-TH, 8:30a.m. to 9p.m.; FRI&SAT: 8:30a.m. to 7p.m.; SUN: 9a.m. to 7p.m.
Van Asselt Community Center: M & WED: 12p.m. to 8p.m.; TUE & TH: 11a.m. to 8p.m.; F: 12p.m. to 7p.m.; SAT: 9a.m. to 5p.m.
Miller Community Center: M-TH:10a.m. to 8:30p.m; F: 10a.m. to 8p.m.
Northgate Community Center: M-F: 9a.m. to 8p.m.
Yesler Community Center: M-F: 9:30a.m. to 8p.m.; SAT: 9:30a.m. to 6 p.m.; SUN: 10a.m. to 3p.m.
Bitter Lake Community Center: M-TH: 8a.m. to 9p.m.; F and SAT: 8a.m. to 7p.m.; SUN: 10a.m. to 5p.m.
Laurelhurst Community Center: Laurelhurst Community Center will close Fall 2023 for a capital improvement project. Laurelhurst has been operating at 25 expanded hours since the beginning of this year, and these hours are scheduled to resume following the capital improvement closure.
See planned public hours for ALL community centers here.
