Parkways Seattle Parks and Recreation

SNOW IMPACTS FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15, 2020: PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Seattle Parks and Recreation staff have been busy preparing for the potential for snowfall. In the event of severe weather, we attempt to open facilities to provide a safe and warm space for community members to gather, connect with others, and participate in drop-in recreation activities.

Many of our community centers, teen life centers, pools, and environmental learning centers operate on a reduced schedule during severe weather events with limited programming. Community members are encouraged to stop by open facilities to take part in a variety of drop-in recreation activities, such as basketball, fitness rooms, tot activities in tot rooms and gyms, and more. Please call individual facilities for information on what’s available.

During snow events, our nearly 500 parks remain open, unless otherwise indicated. If there is enough snow cover, we also open our four golf courses for snow play and sledding, and most athletic fields will also be opened for non-motorized winter recreation. We encourage all visitors to use caution in our outdoor spaces. Snow and ice can cause tree branches to snap; please stay out from under trees and avoid forested parks during a snow event. 

Please see below for Seattle Parks and Recreation snow procedures for facilities and programs, and please check our Parks and Recreation website and or Parkways Blog for updates about program cancellations and facility closures. You can also find regular updates on our Twitter page.

Citywide winter weather response: Please click here for information from the City of Seattle and the Seattle Department of Transportation about the City’s Winter Weather Response.

IF SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED:

SPR FACILITIES

• We will attempt to open all community centers, teen life centers, and environmental centers from 11am-3pm as warming centers and for drop-in recreation activity only.
• We will attempt to open all pools from 12-3pm for drop-in swim only.
• Small Craft Centers will be closed.
• In the case staff cannot get in to open a facility, we will make updates on the website and social media listed below under General Updates and on the individual Facility’s outgoing voicemail message.

SPR PROGRAMS

• ALL programs are CANCELLED at our community centers, pools, small craft centers, teen life centers, environmental centers. This includes School Age Care, preschool, Late Night Recreation Programs, lifelong recreation, specialized programs, athletics, and all recreation programs.
• ALL rentals are CANCELLED.

IF SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPEN LATE:

SPR FACILITIES

• All facilities will attempt to operate normal operating hours

SPR PROGRAMS

• ALL Lifelong Recreation Programs are CANCELLED.
• All Before School Programs are CANCELLED.
• All Morning Preschool Programs are CANCELLED.
• PM Preschool and School Age Care programs operate as normal.
• All-Day Preschool has a late start (start time TBD).
• All Early Morning Lap Swims are CANCELLED.
• All morning swim lessons are CANCELLED.
• All other programs will take place as scheduled, unless individual facilities decide to cancel and notify participants.

IF SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE RELEASED EARLY:

SPR FACILITIES

• The Superintendent may determine that facilities will close early in order for staff to get home safely.

SPR PROGRAMS

• Afternoon preschool programs School Age Care programs may be cancelled or have early pick up.
• Other recreation programs may be cancelled if inclement weather is predicted.

FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER ON THE WEEKEND:

• Please refer to the resources listed below for updates on programs and facilities.

Resources for More Information and Updates:

• Child Care Hotline (School Age Care and Preschool): (206) 684-4203
• Youth Athletics:  http://www.teamsideline.com/seattle
• Questions about potential refunds, reductions, and waivers in the event of severe weather? Please see here for details on our policies, or contact your local community center/pool.  

General Updates:

• Seattle Parks and Recreation Website: www.seattle.gov/parks
• Seattle Parks and Recreation Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SeattleParksandRecreation/
• Seattle Parks and Recreation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeattleParks
• Public Service Announcements made by the media about Seattle Public Schools or Seattle Parks and Recreation closures
• Facility Voicemails:  Please call your community center or pool for updates on their outgoing voicemail message
• Facility Facebook Pages

Medgar Evers Pool will be hosting a monthly All-Gender Swim on the 4th Saturday of every month from 3 to 4:30 p.m. (except in June, when the All-Gender Swim will be held on Saturday, June 20).

This series will kick off on Saturday, January 25.

Admission is the usual recreation swim entrance fee for pools ($6.25 for adults; $4.25 for children, seniors, and special populations; FREE for children under 1 year old with parent or guardian, FREE for pre-qualified reduced fee patrons).

All locker rooms will be marked as gender neutral, with our two family/individual changing rooms available as well.

Amenities at Medgar Evers Pool include:

• Rope Swing
• Diving Board
• Sauna
• Portable Access Chairs
• Two ADA Lifts (one at each end of the pool)

Questions? Please contact the pool at 206-684-4766.

Many Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

These facilities and services are CLOSED:

• Community centers
• Teen life centers (SWTLC and MBTLC will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21 for the holiday as they are normally closed on Mondays)
• Environmental learning centers
• Indoor swimming pools
• Small craft centers

These facilities are OPEN on regular schedules:

• Boat ramps
• Interbay, Jackson Park, Jefferson Park and West Seattle golf courses
• Amy Yee Tennis Center
• Parks

Reminder: Youth to lead 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. March and Celebration on Jan. 18. Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the public to join a youth-organized march to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 18. Participants will gather at 9 a.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park, 2200 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, 98144. Teens will lead the march to Rainier Community Center, 4600 38^th Ave. S, 98118. More info. here.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the public to join a youth-organized march to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 18. Participants will gather at 9 a.m. at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park, 2200 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, 98144. Teens will lead the march to Rainier Community Center, 4600 38^th Ave. S, 98118.

This is SPR’s 16^th annual youth march and the theme this year is “Together We Stand with 2020 Vision”. Teens, families and community members from throughout the city will speak out against injustices in a peaceful demonstration. The goal for the march is to celebrate the contributions that Seattle youth make in creating a better city, and to honor the work that youth do to keep Dr. King’s dream alive.

At the event, participants will hear from our keynote speaker, A Scribe called Quess. Young people will then participate in youth-designed workshops meant to challenge and raise social awareness. Thecelebration will conclude with live performances and dinner.  

This event is free to all teens and community participants and will include food, live music, a safe environment, and plenty of fun!

The link to the event page is: https://www.facebook.com/events/945189862535103/

For more information, please contact Shannon Anderson, Seattle Parks and Recreation, at 206-536-0775 or shannon.anderson@seattle.gov.

Just Cooking: Youth ages 13-19 can earn a $100 stipend while learning about food justice issues and developing foundational cooking skills in this new FREE program.

Just Cooking’s pilot program will start January 2020 and will run 4-week classes until June, 2020. Classes are from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays at High Point Community Center, and Saturdays at South Park Community Center. Start dates for each 4-week program are on the first date of each month, January to June. Registrants must fully complete required paperwork before starting class.

Participants must be between 13 & 19 years old. Click here to sign up: https://seattle.surveymonkey.com/r/KF8B5JY

Questions? Please contact Jacob.Alhadeff@seattle.gov.

Seattle Parks and Recreation has a variety of free activities available for youth over the winter break. Please see information below. Dates and times are subject to change; please call the corresponding facility to confirm details.

International District Community Center (719 8th Ave. S):

• Youth Open Gym: Mondays (1:30-5:30pm), Tuesdays (1-5:30pm), Wednesdays (1:30-5:30pm), Thursdays (1-5:45pm). Open gym for youth ages 5-18. Free.
• Youth Table Tennis: Mondays (3-6pm) and Wednesdays (4:30-6pm). Six ping pong tables for youth to enjoy. Paddles and balls are provided. Open to youth 18 and under. Free.

Miller Community Center (330 19th Ave. E):

• Teen Room: Monday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Dec. 27 from 12-6 pm; Monday Dec. 30 through Friday, Jan. 3 from 12-6 pm.Youth ages 11–14 can play board and video games, use computers and peruse the library, and check out what’s on TV. Free.
• Open Gym: Monday,Dec. 23 and Monday, Dec. 30 from 12-4 pm; Tuesday, Dec. 31 from 1–4 pm; Thursday, Jan. 2 and Friday, Jan 3. from 12-4 pm. Shoot hoops in the gym; open to all ages. Free.
• Youth Open Gym: Friday, Jan. 3 from 4-6 pm. Open gym for youth ages 5-18. Free.

Montlake Community Center (1618 E Calhoun St.):

• Open Gym: Saturday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 28 from 9-10:15am; Tuesday, Dec. 24 from 1-4pm; Thursday, Dec. 26 from 1-4pm. Shoot hoops in the gym; open to all ages. Free.
• Youth Basketball: Tuesdays and Thursdays (3-4 pm); Fridays (2:30-4 pm). Free.

Meadowbrook Community Center (10517 35th Ave NE):

• Open Gym: Monday, Dec. 30 from 11 am – 9pm. Shoot hoops in the gym; all ages. Free.
• Teen Life Open Gym: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 pm – 7:45pm; Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm – 1:45 pm; ages 12-19. Free.
• Teen Late Night: Fridays and Saturdays, 7 pm – midnight; open to youth 13-19. Recreation based activities focus on positive teen interactions and engagement. Free.
• Stir It Up Cooking Program: Thursdays from 4-6 pm, ages 12-19. Learn to cook, budget, and be self- sufficient in the kitchen. Free.
• Shoe Restoration:  Fridays, 7-8pm.Learn how to restore your old shoes and gain entrepreneurial skills. For ages 13-19. Free.
• Studio Drop-in: Thursdays and Fridays from 5-7:45 pm. Learn basic audio technology, song writing, and engineering mixing and music editing. Ages 13-19. Free.

Rainier Community Center (4600 38th Ave S):

• Table Tennis (Ping Pong): Every day the center is open, between 10am-8pm; all ages.Drop in with a friend and practice your skills. Free.
• Computer Lab: Monday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Jan. 3, from 11 am-6pm. Increase your knowledge of computers and useful software. All ages, free.

Rainier Beach Community Center (8825 Rainier Ave. S):

• Holiday Hangout: Tuesday, Dec. 24 from 11am-5pm. Youth vs. adult basketball, games, cookie baking and decorating, holiday pics, arts and crafts, holiday meal, raffle and more. All ages. Free.
• Teen Late Night: Fridays and Saturdays, 7 pm – midnight; open to youth 13-19. Recreation based activities focus on positive teen interactions and engagement. Free.

South Park Community Center (8319 8th Ave. S):

• Teen Late Night: Fridays and Saturdays, 7 pm – midnight; open to youth 13-19. Recreation based activities focus on positive teen interactions and engagement. Free.
• Video Production: Tuesday, Dec 24 and Tuesday, Dec 31 from 4-5:30pm. Ages 7-19. Free. Please call the Community Center for details at (206) 684-7451.
• T-shirt Design: Thursday, Dec. 26 and Thursday, Jan. 2 from4-5:30pm. Ages 7-19. Free. Please call the Community Center for details at (206) 684-7451.
• Computer Skills for Teens: Friday, Dec. 27 and Friday, Jan 3 from 4-5:30pm.Up your game by learning more about software and computer basics. Ages 13-18. Free

Van Asselt Community Center (2820 S Myrtle St.):

• Basketball Open Gym: Monday, Wednesdays, Fridays from 2-4pm; and Thursday and Friday, Jan 2 and Jan. 3, from 9 am-9pm. Shoot hoops in the gym; all ages. Free.
• Self Defense: Friday, Dec. 20 from 5:30 – 6:30pm. Ages 6-16; free.
• Teen Late Night: Fridays, 7-11:30pm. For youth 13-19. Recreation based activities focus on positive teen interactions and engagement. Free.
• Teen Room: Monday, Dec. 23 through Friday, Jan 3 from 4-7:30pm. Enjoy games, cooking (and a field trip with completed E-13).

Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle St.):

• Teen Drop-in Programs: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 2:30-8pm. Open gym, game room, computer lab, snacks. Structured drop in activities for ages 13-19. Free.
• Teen Late Night: Fridays and Saturdays from 7pm – midnight. Open to youth 13-19. Recreation based activities focus on positive teen interactions and engagement. Free.

All Teen Late Night Programs (free): Open to youth 13-19. Recreation based activities focus on positive teen interactions and engagement.

• Bitter Lake Community Center; 13035 Linden Ave N; (206) 684-7524; Fri & Sat 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Garfield Teen Life Center;428 23rd Ave; (206) 684-4550; Fri & Sat 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• High Point Community Center;6920 34th Ave SW; (206) 684-7422; Fri ONLY 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Meadowbrook Teen Life Center;10517 35th Ave NE; (206) 684-7523;
• Fri & Sat 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Rainier Beach Community Center; 8825 Rainier Ave. S; (206) 386-1925; Fri & Sat 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Rainier Community Center;4600 38th Ave. S; (206) 386-1925; Fri & Sat 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• South Park Community Center;8319 8th Ave. S; (206) 684-7438; Fri & Sat  7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Southwest Teen Life Center; 2801 SW Thistle St.; (206) 684-4115;
• Fri & Sat 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
• Van Asselt Community Center; 2820 S Myrtle St.; (206) 386-1921; Fri ONLY 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Mark your calendars! Join your friends, family and neighbors for our annual Pancake Breakfast fundraising events at Bitter Lake, Rainier, Loyal Heights and Northgate community centers! See dates and times below.

These annual fundraisers are more than just a great meal; proceeds go to fund scholarships for youth in need throughout the year.

All ages welcome and kids 3 and under eat free! Make this a yearly family tradition–enjoy a yummy meal, have fun with your local community, and enjoy kids activities and crafts.

Bitter Lake:
Sunday, February 9th, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Rainier:
Saturday, February 22, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.   

Loyal Heights:
March 1, 2020, 8 a.m. – noon

Northgate:
Saturday, December 5, 2020, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thank you to this year’s sponsor, Darigold!

This year, we worked in every corner of the city to expand recreational opportunities, restore our urban forest, build and design new parks, renovate play areas, and engage with community.

As Seattle’s population grows, and livability, affordability, and transportation issues continue to become more challenging, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is working hard to provide affordable, accessible programming that helps maintain the livability of our city, and to provide indoor and outdoor spaces for community to gather, be active, and connect with each other and the natural environment.

Read on to see how SPR helped support Strong Communities in 2019, and click the links to see how we supported Healthy People and a Healthy Environment!

Strong Communities:

• Supported the citywide snow response: During the February 2019 snowstorm, SPR maintenance staff provided 6,151 hours of support to SDOT in snow and ice control, including removing snow from roads, sidewalks, and community centers, as well as hauling over 1,000,000 pounds of salt. SPR also opened two emergency shelters, one at Bitter Lake Community Center and one at Garfield Community Center, serving upwards of 50 residents each night for over two weeks.
• Celebrated the 30^th Anniversary of our Teen Late Night Program, a program that providing at-risk young people ages 13-19 with a safe place, a healthy meal, recreation programs, and the opportunity to develop life skills. 
• Welcomed volunteers: Through the third quarter of this year, we have had 17,824 volunteers donate 116,160 hours of support to SPR programs, parks and activities.
• Collaborated with the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs to hold 6 of their 14 Citizenship Clinics at SPR community centers. [Bitter Lake (twice), Meadowbrook, Van Asselt, Delridge, South Park]. A citizenship clinic is an event serving 25-50 people where volunteer attorneys, interpreters, and others assist eligible green card holders with completing their N-400 naturalization application. Attendees may also receive information about low-interest loans to pay for the naturalization application processing fee or help completing a fee waiver application.
• Completed the Seattle Parks and Recreation 2020-2032 Strategic Plan that will guide SPR’s priorities and investments. This plan lays out a bold vision for how SPR can help achieve our vision of supporting Healthy People, a Healthy Environment, and Strong Communities and build a more equitable and inclusive parks and recreation system. As part of the process, we engaged with over 10,000 people in many ways at over 35 meetings, Parks and Rec Fests, listening sessions, social media, online and more. SPR’s Community Engagement Ambassadors attended meetings and events and were able to communicate with the public in 12 languages.
• Supported a range of special events and activities in parks: Our Event Scheduling Office issued close to 5,000 use permits, including 237 ceremonies, 17 day camps, 977 special events, 263 film permits and 3,594 picnic reservations.

This year, we worked in every corner of the city to expand recreational opportunities, restore our urban forest, build and design new parks, renovate play areas, and engage with community.

As Seattle’s population grows, and livability, affordability, and transportation issues continue to become more challenging, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is working hard to provide affordable, accessible programming that helps maintain the livability of our city, and to provide indoor and outdoor spaces for community to gather, be active, and connect with each other and the natural environment.

Read on to see how SPR helped support a Healthy Environment in 2019, and click the links to see how we supported Healthy People and Strong Communities!

Healthy Environment:

• Acquired new park land: SPR acquired 8 parcels of property, totaling 7.8 acres of new public park lands. These acquisitions, consisting of 6 acres of new greenspace properties and 1.8 acres of active park land, meet a range of public open space and recreation needs. Scheduled to close in late December 2019 is an addition to Terry Pettus Park, which will effectively double the access to Lake Union for the Eastlake community.
• Restored our urban forest: This year, through the Green Seattle Partnership, volunteers donated more than 62,000 hours of time to remove invasive plants from more than 105 acres of parkland and helped us install more than 72,000 plants.
• Supported pesticide reduction efforts: SPR coordinated efforts to propose and implement a Mayor’s Executive Order restricting the use of the pesticide Glyphosate by the City.
• Managed irrigation and reduced water use through computer-assisted monitoring and timely irrigation head repair across 350 irrigated sites.
• Maintained parks citywide: SPR provided 320,719 labor hours to maintain parks citywide.
• Supported the completion of the Master Plan Update for Kubota Garden: Working with the Kubota Garden Foundation, we jointly supported the completion of the Master Plan Update for Kubota Garden to build a roadmap for the planning, development and refinement of Kubota Garden over the next 25 years.

This year, we worked in every corner of the city to expand recreational opportunities, restore our urban forest, build and design new parks, renovate play areas, and engage with community.

As Seattle’s population grows, and livability, affordability, and transportation issues continue to become more challenging, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is working hard to provide affordable, accessible programming that helps maintain the livability of our city, and to provide indoor and outdoor spaces for community to gather, be active, and connect with each other and the natural environment.

Read on to see how SPR helped support Healthy People in 2019, and click the links to see how we supported a Healthy Environment and Strong Communities!

Healthy People:

• Opened new parks & renovated playgrounds! We opened Urban Triangle Park in the South Lake Union neighborhood, and Alice Ball Park in the Greenwood/Phinney neighborhood. We also continued to work on the design and permitting of 7 landbanked sites which are on track to open in 2020. In addition, SPR renovated 6 play areas across Seattle (David Rodgers, E.C. Hughes; Wallingford PF; Gas Works; High Point; Puget Ridge).

• Welcomed summer beach goers: More than 186,000 people visited our lifeguarded summer beaches!
• Partnered to support Scholarships and Summer of Safety: Amazon and the Alliance for Education granted SPR $225,000 to support our work keeping young people engaged in safe, structured activities during the summer. SPR used these funds to provide scholarships for 142 young people on our camp waitlist, allowing them to attend 932 weeks of camp, collectively. In addition, we supported the Summer of Safety, a drop-in program geared toward youth not otherwise enrolled in programming, that served an average of 72 youth a day.
• Expanded access to Roller Derby: When Seattle-area roller derby teams lost their main practice space in Shoreline, SPR worked with them to identify spaces, times, and other needs to help accommodate this growing sport that serves mostly young women. Now, we’ve put roller derby stripes on courts at Bitter Lake, Delridge, Garfield, and Meadowbrook community centers, with more to come.
• Achieved record-breaking attendance at specialty gardens: Working with our partners, we achieved a record number of attendance at three specialty gardens: Kubota Garden (over 100,000 visitors); Japanese Gardens (over 100,000 visitors); and Washington Park Arboretum (over 250,000 visitors).