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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

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

Inspire change through education! Join the Seattle Urban Nature Guides.

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Spring Applications Due March 19

As a SUNGuide you will:

Develop Job Skills in public speaking, education techniques and group engagement.

Enjoy a community of volunteers and city staff.

Receive FREE Training on Pacific Northwest flora and fauna, habitats, environmental education techniques to connect with a wide variety of audiences and equity concepts.

Lead interactive learning experiences in a variety of settings from playgrounds to beaches.

Familiarize yourself with Seattle’s destination parks while helping others do the same.

Full description, training schedule and applications are available here.

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/volunteer/environmental-education-volunteers#SUNG

Japanese Garden opens March 1 with ‘First Viewing’

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Join us at noon on Sunday, March 1 as the Seattle Japanese Garden celebrates First Viewing, a re-opening event welcoming the general public inside the gates for the first time in 2020.

Prior to the gates opening to the public at noon, the Seattle Japanese Garden will hold a special Shinto Blessing ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m. (tickets to this ceremony are currently sold out).

Trained guides will be available to give complimentary tours of the Seattle Japanese Garden, deepening the experience of strolling the garden by sharing insights on the garden’s history, design, and spiritual principles. The 45-minute tours begin at the ticket booth starting at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Tateuchi Community Room will also have its doors open to the public, where visitors can enjoy a complimentary cup of tea.  

Admission is $8 adults; $6 members; $4 youth (ages 6-17), students with ID, and seniors 65+. Children 5 and under are free.  

Seattle Japanese Garden is located at 1075 Lake Washington Blvd., Seattle. More event details and photographs from past events are available at www.seattlejapanesegarden.org.  

Seattle Parks and Recreation developing a proposed budget for the next cycle of the voter-approved Seattle Park District

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Community invited to join the discussion and provide feedback

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.

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.

Community members are encouraged to learn more and join the discussion in building the next six-year budget via the following avenues:

  • Attend a public meeting:

-Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW) on Monday, March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m.

-Lake City Community Center (12531 28th Ave. NE) on Thursday, March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.

-Van Asselt Community Center (2820 S Myrtle St.) on Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Thanks to the Seattle Park District, SPR is able to maintain more parks more frequently, with enhanced maintenance where needed; provide low-cost recreation programs, free drop-in programs, and add to our scholarship fund; develop 14 new parks, and renovate play areas and fields; restore over a thousand acres of urban forest; make critical repairs to community centers and pools; make dozens of accessibility improvements to our restrooms, pathways, and facilities;  put on hundreds of community events across our city, and much more.

Read about Park District Planning in these languages:

As our city has grown over the last six years, inequities have been exacerbated and there are still unmet community needs. Discussions about our next six-year budget will focus on addressing community needs in a way that first serves those impacted by racism and inequity, and second, seeks innovative and collaborative ways to make our parks, recreation facilities, and events serve the people who visit, live, and work in Seattle.  

For more information, please visit: https://www.seattle.gov/seattle-park-district/park-district-planning

Join us in discussing the Seattle Park District

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Seattle Parks and Recreation is busy developing a financial plan to further our vision of supporting Healthy People, a Healthy Environment, and Strong Communities, which includes building up community, sustaining parks, and bringing affordable and supportive recreation opportunities across our city.

In 2014, Seattle voters approved the Seattle Park District. With these funds, Seattle Parks and Recreation is able to:

  • maintain more parks more frequently, with enhanced maintenance where needed
  • provide low-cost recreation programs, free drop-in programs, and add to our scholarship fund
  • develop 14 new parks, and renovate play areas and fields
  • restore over a thousand acres of urban forest
  • make critical repairs to community centers and pools
  • make dozens of accessibility improvements to our restrooms, pathways, and facilities
  • and put on hundreds of community events across our city.

We have been investing these dollars back into parks and communities for the last six years, and it’s time to propose a plan for the next six years of investment. As we look to the next Park District funding cycle, it is evident that much of the funding and programming supported by the initial six-year cycle is now embedded in the way we serve the public and our proposed budget for the next Park District cycle will reflect this.

This past summer, we began a strategic planning process where we talked to over 10,000 community members about the future of Seattle’s parks and recreation facilities. We used that input to develop a plan that further commits our department to using our resources to create equity in our city through our investments in creating a healthy environment, supporting healthy lifestyles, and uplifting and strengthening our communities. The Park District budget will support these commitments.

As our city has grown over the last six years, inequities have been exacerbated and there are still unmet community needs. But we also have many opportunities to build partnerships and change the way we do things. Discussions about our next six-year budget will focus on addressing community needs in a way that first serves those impacted by racism and inequity, and second seeks innovative and collaborative ways to make our parks, recreation facilities, and events serve the people who visit, live, and work in Seattle.  

Read about Park District Planning in these languages:

There are lots of ways to join the discussion in building the next six-year budget:

  • Attend one of our public meetings. Click here to learn more. 
  • Email us at PDplanning@seattle.gov
  • Visit our website here.
  • Attend and give public testimony at an upcoming Park District Oversight/Park Board Committee Meeting, February 2020 through May 2020. Dates here.

Thank you and please expect to hear more from us soon,

Jesús Aguirre

Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation