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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Additional Water Lily Treatment along Lake Wash beaches

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This summer, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will continue the integrated weed management program to fragrant water lily infestations at selected lakefront properties on Lake Washington.

Controlling these weeds will improve water quality and recreational access at freshwater beaches, swim areas, moorages and other high- use recreation locations along the lake.

Mowing, hand cutting, and removal of the weeds will continue as in past years. SPR will complement this work by using selected aquatic herbicides. This use is permitted by Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). These herbicides have been screened and endorsed by Ecology as an effective solution to control these noxious and invasive weeds. US EPA does not have a swimming restriction on the herbicide that will be used.  This is based on data provided to EPA for consideration.  The WA Dept of Ecology permit however does suggest a 24 hour swimming precaution and it should be posted out of an abundance of caution .

SPR has contracted with AquaTechnex, LLC to apply the selected herbicides. AquaTechnex, LLC will manage an online webpage with information and updates on the program.

To learn more about the permit and products: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/PROgrams/wq/pesticides/index.html

To follow the project online: https://seattleparksmilfoil.wordpress.com/

The following beaches will be closed during the treatment:

Wednesday 8/1

Pritchard Beach

Matthews Beach

Madison Beach

 

For further questions, contact Project Coordinator Barb DeCaro, Barbara.decaro@seattle.gov

A party with a view

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Are you looking to host your next party in a park with an amazing view? Is Gas Works too crowded for you and your guests to enjoy?

Have you been to Westcrest Park?

This gorgeous park in West Seattle offers beautiful panoramic views of the mountains and city skyline. It is one of Seattle’s largest parks and rarely gets recognized for how amazing it is! With a recently expanded play area, walking trails, a large open meadow, and an off-leash area, what more could you want?

This is the perfect spot to host a summer picnic or a family frisbee game.

With the large off-leash area, you could event host a doggie birthday party!

This park has barbeques and picnic tables to make party planning a breeze.

Call our event scheduling department (206-684-4081) to host your next event at Westcrest Park!

 

Water Lily treatment along Lake Washington Beaches

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This summer, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will continue the integrated weed management program to fragrant water lily infestations at selected lakefront properties on Lake Washington.

Controlling these weeds will improve water quality and recreational access at freshwater beaches, swim areas, moorages and other high- use recreation locations along the lake.

Mowing, hand cutting, and removal of the weeds will continue as in past years. SPR will complement this work by using selected aquatic herbicides. This use is permitted by Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). These herbicides have been screened and endorsed by Ecology as an effective solution to control these noxious and invasive weeds. US EPA does not have a swimming restriction on the herbicide that will be used.  This is based on data provided to EPA for consideration.  The WA Dept of Ecology permit however does suggest a 24 hour swimming precaution and it should be posted out of an abundance of caution .

SPR has contracted with AquaTechnex, LLC to apply the selected herbicides. AquaTechnex, LLC will manage an online webpage with information and updates on the program.

To learn more about the permit and products: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/PROgrams/wq/pesticides/index.html

To follow the project online: https://seattleparksmilfoil.wordpress.com/

The following beaches will be closed during the treatment:

Tuesday 7/17

Seward Park Beach

Stan Sayres

Wednesday 7/18

Madrona Beach

Mt. Baker Beach

Lakewood Moorage

Thursday 7/19

Magnuson Park Beach

 

For further questions, contact Project Coordinator Barb DeCaro, Barbara.decaro@seattle.gov

Seattle Parks and Recreation adds free drop-in hours at athletic fields throughout the city

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is offering a pilot program that provides community members with the opportunity to drop-in for free at designated athletic fields to play unscheduled athletic events with their friends and family. Normally, field use requires a paid reservation, but SPR has dedicated eight athletic fields for open community drop-in every Saturday and Wednesday from April 1 to August 31.

The athletic fields with drop-in times are: Bitterlake Playfield, University Playground, Ravenna Park, Magnolia Playfield, Sam Smith Park, Rainier Beach Playfield, South Park Playground, and Roxhill Park. See map below for drop in days and times.

For this pilot to be successful, it is important that organized user groups understand that the allocated Wednesdays and Saturdays at these fields are for drop-in use only.

Athletic fields are a beloved component of Seattle’s park system, and SPR is eager to find ways to make fields accessible to all those in our community who would like to use them.

Woodland Park Garden Battery Dewey Monument Relocation and Remediation Project

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Two cannons from the U.S.S. Concord commemorating veterans of the Spanish-American War have been on display in the Woodland Park Garden since 1915. This monument was originally erected as a gift from Spanish-American war veterans.

Parks and Recreation staff have had concerns about the safety of the monument since children are frequently seen using it as play equipment. During a soil test, Parks and Recreation also became aware that the surrounding soil is contaminated with leadpaup.

It is our responsibility to remediate the contaminated soil which will require the removal of the monument. The Veterans Museum in Chehalis, Washington has reached out requesting to have the monument relocated to their facility, so it may be restored and continue to honor and remember those who fought for our country in the Spanish-American war.

This work is scheduled to take place in late May through early June. Fences have been placed around the contaminated area to ensure the safety of park users while we prepare and complete this project.

For questions, please call (206) 684-4075 or email pks_info@seattle.gov

Lake Washington beaches closed May 23-24 for Milfoil treatments

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Seattle Parks and Recreation, with permitting from Washington State Dept of Ecology, will be using aquatic herbicides to systemically control aquatic weeds. The goal is to improve water quality by managing the invasive milfoil at Seattle’s freshwater beaches, swim areas, moorages, and high-use recreation sites.

The first treatment is scheduled to happen Wednesday, May 23. All Lake Washington beaches will be closed May 23.

The treatment map can be viewed at http://arcg.is/014eyP

More information available here.

Permitted use of an aquatic herbicide is endorsed by Washington Department of Ecology as a systemic solution to control specific aquatic weeds that impact recreation and water quality. The permit covers the City owned properties on Lake Washington, Bitter Lake and Ship Canals –Lake Union.

Integrated weed management program

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This summer, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will continue the integrated weed management program to control Eurasian milfoil and fragrant water lily infestations at selected lakefront properties on Lake Washington.

Controlling these weeds will improve water quality and recreational access at freshwater beaches, swim areas, moorages and other high- use recreation locations along the lake.

Mowing, hand cutting, and removal of the weeds will continue as in past years. SPR will complement this work by using selected aquatic herbicides. This use is permitted by Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology). These herbicides have been screened and endorsed by Ecology as an effective solution to control these noxious and invasive weeds.

SPR has contracted with AquaTechnex, LLC to apply the selected herbicides. AquaTechnex, LLC will manage an online webpage with information and updates on the program.

To learn more about the permit and products: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/PROgrams/wq/pesticides/index.html

To follow the project online: https://seattleparksmilfoil.wordpress.com/

Check back for specific dates of beach closures. 

For further questions, contact Project Coordinator Barb DeCaro, Barbara.decaro@seattle.gov

Changes at Belltown Community Center

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is preparing to close the Belltown Community Center at the end of 2018.

The Center is leased, not owned by SPR, and the lease agreement for this building is expiring at the end of the year. The high cost of both real estate and rent have prevented SPR, in the past and present, from securing a permanent recreation facility in the Belltown neighborhood.

SPR will seek to meet recreation needs by increasing program offerings at Belltown parks. Center City recreation programs have been wildly successful in the ID, Pioneer Square, Downtown, South Lake Union, and Belltown. We are excited to continue our partnership with the Belltown Parks and Arts Committee and the Metropolitan Improvement District to bring free activities and a welcoming atmosphere primarily to Bell Street Park, but also to Tilikum Place and Belltown Cottage Park.

Summer plans include an ambassador to staff Bell Street with games and a book cart 3 to 4 days a week; Belltown Beats (live music), Artist Workshops and Community Art Table Friday evenings June – August; 2 to 3 Dog/Pet Events, including Dog-O-Ween; Chalk Art & Music Festival August 11 and 12; Pickleball Sundays (TBD), and lots more.

Belltown’s community center has been heavily used as a meeting and community gathering location. SPR’s Dexter Administration building boardroom will be made available to the community to reserve for meetings and gatherings. This building is located at 100 Dexter, and is less than a 10-minute walk from Belltown Community Center.

We have not given up on trying to find a community center location that could serve both Belltown and South Lake Union. Locating a community center at SPR’s Dexter Administration building is a possibility that the department will explore.

The center will remain open until December 2018, and we will be holding a community meeting to further discuss how to best meet recreation needs in this community.

We invite you to hear more about these changes on May 16, from 6 p.m. to 7:30pm at Belltown Community Center.

Background on Belltown Community Center

  • The 1999 Community Centers and Seattle Center Levy funded the creation of Belltown Community Center, providing $1.89 million for a new community center in Belltown. Due to high property values, no acceptable site was found and the project budget would only cover the cost of leasing space. The City leased the space at 5th and Bell, and the facility was opened in September of 2012.
  • SPR used the Levy funds to cover renovations to the facility.
  • Rent on use of this building is currently $126,360 per year.
  • SPR’s non-profit partner, the Associated Recreation Council (ARC) has been paying $100,000 annually to help cover Belltown Community Center’s operating expenses in return for receiving the revenue the center generates. This revenue nowhere near covers the cost to operate.
  • The current 7-year lease term expires on December 31, 2018.
  • In comparison to other comparable facilities, Belltown Community Center has continued to be one of the least visited of all 27 community centers.
  • ARC cannot continue their financial support of Belltown Community Center after 2018.
  • The City has determined that renewing the lease after 2018 would not be an effective use of SPR funds.

Supporting our staff and families after the tragedy at West Seattle Stadium

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is deeply saddened by the events that took place on May 8 outside of West Seattle stadium during an SPR youth track meet. Our thoughts are with the families, children, and staff who were present at the stadium.

We are grateful to the police officiers, as well as staff and parents who quickly responded to keep children and families safe and sheltered. Johnnie Williams, Luwam Ogube and Brieah Marino as well as other staff, acted heroically and we cannot thank them enough for their quick judgement and bravery.

We have scheduled a Community Healing Circle with Reverend Harriett Walden on Saturday, May 12 from 10am-1pm at Rainier Community Center (Gym #2). We invite all those seeking support to attend.

We are canceling the Lowell Barry track meet that was scheduled for Saturday, May 12.

City Championship track meets will take place on Monday and Tuesday, May 14 & May 15 at Chief Sealth HS Stadium. Monday’s meet is for ages 7-10, and begins at 5:30pm. Tuesday’s meet is for ages 11-18, and begins at 5:30pm.

We have reached out to Seattle Police Department to request their presence at both championship meets.

Our thoughts are with the victim’s family, the families and children who were participating, and the SPR staff and volunteers who run the track and field program.  Again, we are incredibly grateful to our staff who quickly reacted to keep our kids and families safe during this event, and we will be considering how to offer additional safety trainings for all youth athletic coaches, volunteers, and staff.

Seattle Parks and Recreation selects outdoor preschool providers and expands program to new sites

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has selected Tiny Trees and Roots & Sky Nature School to operate outdoor preschool programs at select park sites. These providers were selected following the department’s issuance of a Notice of Interest (NOI) in Oct. 2017 for high quality outdoor preschools within select parks for the 2018-19 school year, and beyond. SPR intends to enter Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) discussions with the providers in January 2018.

For the last two years, SPR conducted a pilot to consider the feasibility of hosting outdoor preschools in some of Seattle’s parks. SPR permitted preschools at sites in four Seattle parks: Camp Long, Jefferson Park, John C. Little Park, and Carkeek Park. As part of SPR’s recent NOI process, we allowed potential providers to consider three of the four parks listed above and six additional parks for a total of nine park sites including Meadowbrook Park, Beer Sheva Park, Sam Smith Park, Lincoln Park, North Acres Park, Magnuson Park, Camp Long, Jefferson Park, and Carkeek Park.

“Outdoor preschool is completely in line with our mission at Seattle Parks and Recreation. We love how much it affirms livability, affordability, activation of park spaces, and installation of environmentalism at a young age,” said Christopher Williams, Deputy Superintendent for Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Roots & Sky Nature School has been selected to operate at Lincoln Park. This will be the first provider to operate at Lincoln Park as part of our pilot outdoor preschool project. Our intent to move into an agreement with Roots & Sky Nature School is contingent upon both their successful acceptance into the Seattle Preschool Program (pathway program) and acquisition of a business license. Community members are encouraged to attend a public meeting on Jan. 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Dakota Place (4304 SW Dakota St.) to ask questions and learn more about the program.

“The mission of Roots & Sky Nature School is to support a diversity of learners in developing a meaningful connection to the natural world and one another, as well as a sense of self-awareness, by providing all-weather opportunities to play, explore, experience, and interact in nature,” said Nicole Cobo, Founder of Roots & Sky Nature School. “Promoting clear, compassionate communication, while cultivating innate curiosity and wonder, we aim to foster the development of the whole child – physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and perceptual. When we take interest-led education outdoors, the sky truly is the limit.”

Tiny Trees, which has successfully operated at John C. Little Park, Jefferson Park, Camp Long and Carkeek Park since 2016, has been selected to operate programs at Carkeek East, Carkeek West, Meadowbrook, Jefferson, Camp Long North, Camp Long South, and Beer Sheva. Our intent to move into an agreement with Tiny Trees is contingent upon the provider maintaining good standing in the Seattle Preschool Program or Seattle Pathways Program.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Seattle Parks and the Seattle Preschool Program,” said Andrew A. Jay, CEO of Tiny Trees. “Over 60% of children in our Seattle Parks classrooms receive free tuition or financial assistance (plus a free Alaskan Fishermen rain suit!). Together with the City of Seattle we have created affordable, high quality classrooms where children receive a great education, and a joyful childhood. One full of play, adventure, and wonder in the natural world.”

SPR’s goal is to sponsor sites for high quality preschool in Seattle’s parks and ensure affordability, accessibility, and high quality by requiring providers participate in the City’s Preschool Program, which was approved by Seattle voters in 2014 to make preschool opportunities available for all Seattle 3- and 4-year-old children. Providing opportunities for families and children to connect to the natural world is in keeping with SPR’s values of supporting healthy people, a healthy environment and strong communities.