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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Seattle Parks and Recreation and COVID-19 Impacts

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March 6, 2020

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) continues to be in communication with, and following the guidance of, Public Health—Seattle & King County (PHSKC), the City’s Office of Emergency Management, and Washington Department of Health regarding COVID-19.

For information on how to prevent the spread of illness, please see PHSKC’s recommendations here.

SPR Impacts:

  • All SPR facilities are open: All SPR facilities, including community centers and pools, are currently open.
  • Most SPR programs are continuing as normal, with the exception of Lifelong Recreation programs for seniors and Specialized Programs for people with disabilities. See details below.
  • Programs for seniors canceled: All Lifelong Recreation classes, trips, and drop-in programs for seniors are canceled starting Thursday, March 5 through the end of the month. Details here.
  • Specialized Programs on brief pause: Specialized Programs for people with disabilities are on a brief pause. 
  • Some SPR enrichment programs at Seattle Public Schools canceled: Some afterschool and athletic programs run by SPR at Seattle Public School locations are currently canceled. We are exploring relocating programs to community centers, if possible, and we are alerting families of any program impacts.
  • Youth basketball games taking place this weekend. Families are encouraged to keep in mind public health recommendations to prevent the spread of illness. Details here.
  • Most senior meals programs canceled:
    • Lake City Community Center senior meal program: We have paused the congregate meal program and are currently only providing pick-up meals. 
    • Bitter Lake Community Center senior meal program: Operating as normal on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
    • Miller Community Center senior meal program: Canceled.
    • Yesler Community Center senior meal program: Canceled.
    • Northgate Community Center senior meal program: Canceled
    • Garfield Community Center senior meal program: Canceled
  • Some SPR events rescheduled: Some SPR events and community meetings are being canceled, rescheduled, or moved to online/phone options. Please check SPR’s social media feeds (listed below) for updates on event and meeting cancelations.
  • All SPR parks are open
  • Partner organizations: Please see below for information from major partners.These organizations are run independently; questions or concerns about their operations should be addressed directly to them.
    • Seattle Aquarium is open. Please visit the Aquarium’s website for updates.
    • Woodland Park Zoo is open but some indoor areas are closed and programs canceled. Details here.

Stay informed:

Please check the following resources for updates about SPR operations and facilities:

Increased cleaning at SPR facilities:

As a best practice to prevent the spread of viruses during this cold and flu season, and in response to general concerns over COVID-19, SPR is increasing custodial cleaning efforts at our facilities, including community centers and pools. In addition to our already-established custodial routines, we will be implementing the following measures:

  • SPR will install Hand Sanitizing stations in lobby areas at our public facilities
  • SPR will increase the number of times that the following high-traffic areas are sanitized, with custodians sanitizing these areas three times during their shift:
    • Bathroom countertops, stall handles, and flushing devices
    • Entry/exit door handles and surrounding areas
    • Lobby desk tops
  • SPR is also working to increase the number of times that park bathrooms are cleaned each day.

Youth Basketball Games Update

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Seattle Parks and Recreation will hold basketball games this weekend. As we work to keep everyone healthy, we ask that you please keep in mind the following as you consider your child’s participation this weekend:

  • Please keep your player home if they are sick.
  • Please have any family member who is sick stay home.
  • If you or any family members who plan to attend are in a high-risk group for contracting illness (i.e. over 60, or have an underlying health condition) please stay home.
  • We are also asking that we minimize congregation so please keep your child’s fan club small (only 1-2 fans), arrive only in time for your child’s game and/or wait in your car until your child’s game time. We ask that you only attend your child’s game to minimize crowd size.

We know that these events are important to you and your family, but we want everyone to stay healthy. If some members of your family are not able to attend, you can always videotape the game and send it to loved ones.

Finally, as always, please practice good hygiene by asking all members of your family to wash their hands before entering the gym, and wash hands again as you leave.

Thank you for your support and understanding!

Early Morning Lap Swim schedule at Evans Pool is temporarily modified

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Due to a temporary reduction in staffing levels at Evans Pool, we plan to reduce morning lap swim to three days a week starting Monday, March 9 through Friday, March 27.

Beginning Monday, March 9, Evans Pool will only have Early Morning Lap Swim on Mon/Wed/Fri from 6 to 7:30 a.m. This temporary schedule will be in effect for three weeks through Friday, March 27

We hope to have adequate staffing levels to resume regular Monday – Friday operations by the end of the month. Please call Evans Pool for updates (206-684-4961) and please see below for information on alternative pool locations with early morning lap swim times.

Evans Pool Planned Closure Information:

The planned maintenance closure at Evans Pool that was originally scheduled for mid-March has been delayed, and current estimates for the closure put us closer to May 4 – Oct. 31, 2020. Evans Pool will be communicating more information on the planned closure in the near future. For now, this means that Evans Pool will have a small spring quarter of programs, with the spring program dates running from March 16 through May 2.

Seattle Parks and Recreation temporarily canceling programs for seniors

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On March 4, Public Health – Seattle & King County released new recommendations regarding COVID-19, including guidance for people at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness. This guidance recommends that people over 60 years of age should stay home and away from large groups of people as much as possible.

With this information, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is canceling all of our Lifelong Recreation classes, trips, and drop-in programs for seniors. Lifelong Recreation programs will be canceled starting Thursday, March 5 at least through Saturday, March 21. SPR will continue to consult with, and follow the guidance of, public health partners and will re-evaluate this program cancellation on an ongoing basis.

Please check the following resources for updates about SPR operations and facilities:

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience during this difficult time. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Cheryl Brown at 206-615-0619.

Seattle Parks and Recreation canceling Seattle Park District Meetings

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Phone and online meeting options will be offered at a future date

As many of you have heard, Public Health – Seattle & King County has recently released guidance that the public should refrain from non-essential large gatherings. As a result of this guidance, we are evaluating our planned events and activities and making decisions about whether to proceed.

We have canceled two Seattle Park District meetings:

  • Seattle Park District meeting at Lake City Community Center on Thursday, March 5, 2020; 6pm-8pm
  • Seattle Park District meeting at Van Asselt Community Center on Saturday, March 7, 2020; 10am-12pm

In the next week, we will offer a phone and online meeting option for these two canceled meetings. Details coming soon.

We apologize for the inconvenience. Please know that you can send any thoughts or comments about the Park District financial planning process to PDplanning@seattle.gov, or participate in our online survey: https://fal.cn/36SRn

Follow us on social media, blog, and newsletter to stay up to date:

  • Seattle Parks and Recreation Website
  • Seattle Parks and Recreation Facebook
  • Seattle Parks and Recreation Twitter
  • Seattle Parks and Recreation Blog

Coronavirus Update

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) continues to be in communication with, and following the guidance of, Public Health—Seattle & King County (PHSKC), the City’s Office of Emergency Management, and Washington Department of Health regarding COVID-19.

SPR impacts:

  • Programs for seniors canceled: All Lifelong Recreation classes, trips, and drop-in programs for seniors are canceled starting Thursday, March 5 for at least the next two weeks. Details here.
  • Currently, no SPR facilities are closed.
  • If an SPR program is canceled or if a facility is closed, we will notify patrons (either by direct email or phone message for registered participants, or by notices via web, social media, and media for the general public).

Stay informed:

Please check the following resources for updates about SPR operations and facilities:

How can you help?

As a best practice, SPR encourages anyone who feels sick with cold or flu symptoms to stay home and avoid contact with others. If you have health concerns or questions, please contact your regular doctor. PHSKC also recommends the following:

It’s important that everyone take steps to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus, especially to protect those who are more vulnerable. Steps you can take to prevent spread of flu and the common cold will also help prevent coronavirus:

-Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

-Avoid contact with people who are sick

-Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others

-Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing

If you are traveling overseas, check for the latest COVID-19 Travel Alerts and follow the CDC’s Travelers’ Health guidance: guidance:  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel

More recommendations about how to prevent the spread of illness in the home and in the community is available from PHSKC here.

Increased cleaning at SPR facilities:

As a best practice to prevent the spread of viruses during this cold and flu season, and in response to general concerns over Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), SPR is increasing custodial cleaning efforts at our facilities, including community centers and pools.

SPR is implementing these measures to support basic good cleaning and hygiene care at our high-traffic public facilities, and not in response to a specific exposure risk.

In addition to our already-established custodial routines, we will be implementing the following measures:

  • SPR will install Hand Sanitizing stations in lobby areas at our public facilities
  • SPR will increase the number of times that the following high-traffic areas are sanitized, with custodians sanitizing these areas three times during their shift:
    • Bathroom countertops, stall handles, and flushing devices
    • Entry/exit door handles and surrounding areas
    • Lobby desk tops

Coronavirus and Stigma:

Please see important information below from PHSKC on preventing discrimination and stigma around coronavirus.

Discrimination based on ethnicity or ancestry will make the situation worse. Having Chinese ancestry – or any other ancestry – does not make a person more vulnerable to this illness. Coronavirus doesn’t recognize race, nationality nor ethnicity.

Laurelhurst Firepit to remain open

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Over the years, many community members have shared concerns about vandalism and unattended fires at the Laurelhurst firepit (located at Laurelhurst Park next to the community center). When Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) recently proposed addressing these concerns through the removal of the firepit, many community members reached out to say that they were not pleased with this plan.

We heard from many of you about how this firepit still serves as an important community gathering location and how it holds lots of value to the Laurelhurst community. So for now, SPR will not be moving forward with plans to remove the firepit.

We will continue to listen to and respond to public concerns, and will follow the community’s lead on how we can best support community-building efforts and safety in this neighborhood.

If you have comments or concerns about the firepit, please email pks_info@seattle.gov.

Ballard Pool closed until mid-May, 2020

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Ballard Pool closed for planned major maintenance on December 2nd, and is now expected to reopen sometime in mid-May (instead of our most recent estimate of April), depending on progress. Please check our Facebook page and voicemail (206-684-4094) for status updates.

For a list of other pools in the area that can serve you, please visit www.seattle.gov/parks.

As part of our City Wide Pools Project, contractors are working on the following repairs and improvements at Ballard Pool: demolish and replace existing concrete pool deck, pool deck drains, pool & spa plaster liner and replace existing pool filter system.

Community invited to join the discussion and provide feedback on the Seattle Park District at public meetings

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is currently working on developing the Seattle Park District Financial Plan, which will lay out the funding for the next six years of the Seattle Park District.

Community members are encouraged to learn more and join the discussion in building the next six-year budget by attending a public meeting.

Public Meetings:

  • Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW), Monday, March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Lake City Community Center (12531 28th Ave. NE), Thursday, March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Van Asselt Community Center (2820 S Myrtle St.), Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In 2014, Seattle voters approved the Seattle Park District, which provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for SPR, including maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.

The current Seattle Park District funding cycle runs from 2015-2020. The next Seattle Park District Financial Plan will run from 2021-2026 and will be informed by a variety of sources, including our 2019 strategic planning process (in which we talked to over 10,000 community members), public input, and other known parks and recreation system needs.

For more information and additional ways to join the discussion, visit https://www.seattle.gov/seattle-park-district/park-district-planning

Increased Custodial Efforts at Seattle Parks and Recreation Facilities During Cold/Flu Season

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As a best practice to prevent the spread of viruses during this cold and flu season, and in response to general concerns over Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is increasing custodial cleaning efforts at our facilities, including community centers and pools.

SPR is implementing these measures to support basic good cleaning and hygiene care at our high-traffic public facilities, and not in response to a specific exposure risk.

In addition to our already-established custodial routines, we will be implementing the following measures:

  • SPR will install Hand Sanitizing stations in lobby areas at our public facilities

  • SPR will increase the number of times that the following high-traffic areas are sanitized, with custodians sanitizing these areas three times during their shift:
    • Bathroom countertops, stall handles, and flushing devices
    • Entry/exit door handles and surrounding areas
    • Lobby desk tops

Please see the following information from Public Health–Seattle & King County about protective measures you can take to prevent getting COVID-19 or the flu and the common cold:

 If you are traveling overseas (to China but also to other places) follow the CDC’s guidance: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel.

Right now, the COVID-19 has not been spreading widely in the United States, so there are no additional precautions recommended for the general public.

Steps you can take to prevent the spread of flu and of the common cold will also help prevent coronavirus:

-wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.

-avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

-avoid contact with people who are sick

-stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others

-cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing