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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites input at two upcoming events for Magnuson Park Circulation Plan and Comfort Station Feasibility Study

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Seattle Parks and Recreation is moving forward with a three-part planning process at Magnuson Park that will:

  • develop a Circulation Plan and identify future improvements for all modes of transportation to, from and through the park
  • identify the preferred location and layout for a future comfort station (a.k.a. restrooms)
  • recommend updates to the existing wayfinding system within the park and historic district

SPR encourages the community to participate in the second online meeting for the Magnuson Park Circulation Plan and Comfort Station Feasibility Study on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 from 6 to 7 p.m. Please join us online! To register for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwtc-irqjkpEt2r8DiGtCcl-pAwk-a4lO1w

During the online presentation by SPR and our consultants, Heffron Transportation and MIG, the community can learn about and provide input on:

  • preliminary recommendations for high-priority circulation improvements throughout Magnuson Park and the Sand Point Historic District
  • recommended improvements to existing signage
  • recommended placement and estimated costs for a new comfort station

If community members are unable to participate online SPR the meeting will be recorded and posted on the project website. Additionally, SPR  will host a pop-up event in the park.  Please join us Monday, June 21, from 5 – 7 p.m. on the south side Building 30 Hangar (6310 NE 74th Street). If you attend this event in the park please observe all Covid protocol. Social distance and if you are not vaccinated, wear a mask.

Magnuson Park is located in the Sand Point neighborhood at 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115.

To learn more about the project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/magnuson-park-circulation The online event offers interpretation and for in person interpretation in the park please contact: Kevin.Bergsrud@seattle.gov 48 hours or more in advance of the event in order to secure supporting services.

Red Barn Ranch Update

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Following the City Council’s action to transfer the restrictive recreation covenant from City-owned property known as the Red Barn Ranch, located in Auburn, WA, to the North Rainier land-banked site parcel, and in acknowledgement of the public comments provided by community requesting clarity on next steps, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) and Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) staff have been working in partnership to identify a path forward towards a recommendation for the use of the site. These departments are planning to enlist an outside firm to help design and facilitate a thoughtful community engagement and visioning process.

The purpose of the visioning process will be:

  • Include community stakeholders in identifying the priorities that best meet the City’s Race and Social Justice Initiative’s goals
  • Provide a pathway for collaborative design for the site that elevates areas of common interest
  • Clarify the potential public benefits that could be provided with activation of the property
  • Increase transparency in the City processes regarding surplus property
  • Deliver a recommendation to the Mayor and City Council of the approach to property utilization that best meets the shared goals of process participants


SPR and OPCD staff will continue to help inform the community process once launched. Next steps include a plan to engage a small group of community representatives in June to serve as a review panel to support the development of a scope of work for an external process designer and facilitator. Review panel participants may include Board of Park Commissioners/Park District Oversight Committee, Equitable Development Initiative Advisory Board, and representatives from BIPOC communities with experience in agricultural and rural land development. In July and August, SPR expects to select the process designer/facilitator firm, followed by the launch of the community engagement and visioning process in early fall 2021 (duration and nature of this process to be identified as part of consultant scope of work and selection). 

New programming, drop-in access for Medgar Evers and Rainier Beach pools

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A dozen swimmers enjoying an indoor pool surrounded by windows

Medgar Evers and Rainier Beach pools are making some changes to expand pool access starting June 21st. Both pools opened to lap and independent fitness swimming in April, with pre-registration required for entry. Beginning June 21st, both pools will add recreational swimming to their programming, and pre-registration for access to swims will no longer be required or offered. Instead, all sessions (which remain at reduced capacity) will be available for in person drop-in admission only, on a first come, first served basis. Admission for all swims will be sold 15 minutes prior to each session. Please keep in mind that there is a maximum capacity to swims and swims may sell out.  

Schedule for Medgar Evers swims
Schedule for Rainier Beach swims

Please do not come to the pool if you have COVID symptoms, have recently tested positive or have recently been exposed. Maintain 6 feet between your family and others while waiting in line, and within the facility. Masks must be worn when not swimming. A health screening, which includes a temperature check, will be done as you enter the facility.

For Recreation Swims:  All youth under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. All young children under 6 years of age and less than 4 feet tall must be accompanied by an adult in the water within arm’s reach.  

Swimming lessons will not be offered this summer.  

We encourage everyone who plans to swim regularly to update their Seattle Parks account and purchase a 10-swim pass online prior to the start of the season. This will simplify your ticket purchase and save you money! If you have ever purchased a swim pass, signed up for lessons or rented the pool, you already have an account. You can log-in with your email here. If you do not have a password, enter your email, and click “forgot password.”  

PLEASE NOTE: We are not offering the 30 Day Passes as in past seasons.  We will resume 30 Day Pass usage when operations return to normal in the future.  

two lifeguards watch over a few swimmers in an indoor pool

Join the planning team for 50th anniversary celebration of Discovery Park

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Discovery Park is celebrating its golden anniversary next year! Do you love Discovery Park? Would you be interested in joining the planning team for the 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2022?

The Discovery Park Advisory Council has multiple volunteer positions for those with experience in leading:

  • Fundraising
  • Marketing
  • Project Management
  • Communications

Volunteers will participate in a Working Group, meeting monthly, between now and October 2022 as well as devote time outside of monthly meetings to plan and execute the celebration.  

Please send the following information to infoDPAdvisoryCouncil@gmail.com by June 15:

First Name:
Last Name:
Phone Number:
Zip Code:
Employer and Position (previous if retired):
Languages Spoken:
Also, please list any skills or experiences that you believe will be beneficial on this project.

Thank you for your interest and we’re looking forward to celebrating with you!

Wading pool and spraypark schedule announced by Seattle Parks and Recreation

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(A group of young children and an adult stand on a courtyard with water sprays coming up from the ground)

Revised June 14, 2021 to reflect addition of 3 more wading pool locations.

As announced last month, Seattle Parks and Recreation is opening wading pools and sprayparks this summer from Saturday, June 26 to Monday, September 6.  In all, eighteen locations around Seattle will be available seven days a week to provide fun, activity and relief for kids, parents and guardians this year.

Wading pools operate when there is no rain in the day’s forecast and the air temperature is expected to be 70 degrees or higher. If unsure, you can call the Wading Pool Hotline for same-day updates at 206-684-7796. The recording is updated by mid to late morning each day.

Here’s a link to a map to see which wading pools or sprayparks are near you. Please also see the rules for using these water features at the bottom of the page. If anyone is sick, or seems sick, please stay home.

WADING POOLS that will be open from noon to 7 pm each day of the week:

  • Bitter Lake Community Center
  • Dahl Playfield
  • East Queen Anne
  • Green Lake (opening 7/2)
  • Lincoln Park
  • Powell Barnett Park
  • Soundview Park
  • South Park Community Center
  • Van Asselt Community Center
  • Volunteer Park

Open from noon to 5:30 pm each day of the week:

  • Delridge Community Center

SPRAYPARKS that will be open from 11 am to 8 pm each day of the week:

  • Beacon Mountain in Jefferson Park
  • Georgetown Playfield
  • Highland Park
  • Northacres Park
  • South Lake Union Park
  • Yesler Terrace Community Center

Start date still being determined; will be open from 11 am to 8 pm each day of the week:

  • Pratt Playground Spraypark

RULES for wading pool and spraypark use

  • Children under 13 years old must be supervised by a responsible adult.
  • No “Bare Buns” – bathing suit attire required, babies must wear tight plastic pants or diapers designed for swimming.
  • No food or drink; no glass containers.
  • No spots – people with communicable diseases are not allowed in the pool.
  • No fidos (dogs, cats, etc.)
  • No bikes
  • No running
  • No water fights
  • No drugs or alcohol

New Occidental pavilion a year-round public space in Pioneer Square

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Large, covered performance pavilion and reopened play area ready for summer in Seattle

One of downtown Seattle’s oldest public plazas is ready for year-round activity in the heart of Pioneer Square. Occidental Square is now home to a brand-new pavilion, a large timber structure topped with a glass roof, producing a 90-foot-wide covered area at the south end of the square. At the north end, the Occidental play area has reopened after being closed for more than a year during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Managed and programmed by the Downtown Seattle Association and Metropolitan Improvement District since 2015, Occidental Square has provided a vibrant hub of activity to the Pioneer Square neighborhood. The park’s growing popularity with free games, café seating, art installations and regular free events led to partners and donors investing in amenities that will enhance the park’s aesthetics and expand the way this space can be used.

The best urban parks are the ones that can utilized year-round and invited a variety of activities. With this large, covered area, the pavilion provides that multi-season use in Occidental Square,” said DSA President & CEO Jon Scholes. “The pavilion also adds to the ways in which we can program this space and produce a wider array of activities in all seasons. Our partners and generous donors have truly enhanced this park.”

“The Alliance for Pioneer Square is excited for this beautiful addition to Occidental Square, and for the opportunity for locals and visitors to experience the park in a new way as we recover from the pandemic,” said Alliance for Pioneer Square Executive Director Lisa Howard. “We are grateful to our project partners for their investment in making this space even more welcoming and vibrant as we all rediscover Pioneer Square.”

“Today is a momentous day with Seattle leading the country in vaccinations. 70% of residents are now fully vaccinated and our downtown public spaces and businesses are ready to welcome us back,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “The Occidental Square Pavilion will serve as a space for residents and visitors to gather for cultural events, sit and eat take out from Pioneer Square restaurants, or meet friends before a Sounders, Seahawks, or Mariners game. Thank you to our community leaders in Pioneer Square, the Downtown Seattle Association, and Parks for their vision and dedication to create this vibrant public park space.”

Debuting in fall 2019, the play area was designed by Berger Partnership and constructed by Venture General Contracting. The second playground coordinated by DSA/MID (along with the play area in Westlake Park), this structure provides much needed recreational space for visitors and the nearly 4,800 children living in downtown.             

The new pavilion, designed by Olson Kundig and built by general contractor Schuchart, replaced a smaller kiosk at the south end of the square with a larger information and concierge center for enhanced park activation. Paid for entirely by private contributions, the pavilion’s glass roof stretches 90-feet wide and 30-feet deep, providing ample space that can serve as an outdoor classroom, a performance space, a dining area and generally a much-needed covered space for use by the public.

“This is a tremendously significant project, for me personally and for Olson Kundig, as well as the City of Seattle,” said Tom Kundig, FAIA, RIBA, Design Principal, Olson Kundig. “The history of Pioneer Square is long and complex, from the First Nations cultures who originally settled here to the timber industry that later shaped the region. This pavilion draws on those influences and introduces a new amenity and place of shelter for every visitor to the park.”

“We appreciate the collaborative efforts of the private and public sectors to deliver this wonderful amenity to our city,” said Schuchart Partner and President Casey Schuchart. “The legacy of the pacific northwest is represented through the high design of the timber pavilion. Our company is honored to have played it’s part in supporting the delivery of this project for all to enjoy.”

Funding for the pavilion project has been provided by donors to Seattle Parks Foundation in partnership with the Alliance for Pioneer Square, Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Downtown Seattle Association.

“Occidental Square is the center of downtown Seattle’s rich and diverse cultures. From the early days as a first nation’s community to the historic establishment of Seattle’s industry, Occidental is the heart of our city,” said Seattle Parks Foundation CEO Rebecca Bear. “The completion of the beautiful Timber Pavilion celebrates the past and evokes an exciting future for Occidental and Pioneer Square – a thriving park filled with people listening to music, painting, shopping, playing, celebrating, and supporting our local teams and neighborhood businesses.”

This new public amenity officially opens on Wednesday, June 9 at 11 a.m. with a public ribbon-cutting and opening remarks. The community is invited to attend. Additionally, we encourage people to visit the park and the new pavilion on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12 and enjoy free family friendly games, music, giveaways and fun.

For more information about the project please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/occidental-square-park-projects.

ABOUT DOWNTOWN SEATTLE ASSOCIATION (DSA)

Established in 1958, the Downtown Seattle Association (DSA) is a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to create a healthy, vibrant downtown. By advocating on issues including transportation, economic development and the urban experience, DSA works to ensure that downtown remains a great place to live, work, shop and play. DSA also manages the Metropolitan Improvement District, a business-improvement area spanning 285 square blocks downtown.

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR PIONEER SQUARE

The Alliance for Pioneer Square is a 501(c)(3) that works to help preserve what makes Pioneer Square the most authentic, engaging and dynamic neighborhood in Seattle. We do this by effectively implementing programs in the following areas: business development, communications and marketing, advocacy, public realm, and leadership.

ABOUT SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATION

Founded as a nonprofit partner for Seattle Parks and Recreation and fueled by the energy of civic leaders whose efforts to build a 60-acre “Seattle Commons” were twice thwarted at the ballot box in the mid-1990s, Seattle Parks Foundation became an independent nonprofit in 2001. Its first endeavors included supporting the acquisition and development of Lake People (Xacua’bs) Park near Columbia City, the restoration of Schurman Rock at Camp Long in West Seattle, field and play area enhancements at Maple Elementary on Beacon Hill, and early planning for Lake Union Park. Donors have contributed over $59 million through Seattle Parks Foundation to support more than 200 community-led park projects spanning almost every neighborhood in the city.

ABOUT OLSON KUNDIG

Now in its sixth decade of practice, Olson Kundig is a collaborative design practice whose work includes cultural and museum projects, exhibition design, commercial and mixed-use design (including wineries and sports facilities), private and multi-family residential, hospitality projects, places of worship, interior design, product design and landscape design. With deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, the firm and its staff of over 200 work with clients around the world. More information at olsonkundig.com.

Aquatic Weed Management Program in 2021

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will continue the integrated weed management program at selected lakefront properties on Lake Washington starting in early June and lasting through August 2021. This project is achieving comprehensive control of the most prevalent aquatic weeds in Eurasian milfoil, fragrant water lily, purple loosestrife, and garden loosestrife.

Controlling these weeds improves water quality and recreational access and safety at freshwater beaches, swim areas, moorages and other high-use recreation locations along the lake. This weed control creates a more natural, aesthetically appealing environment that nourishes native plant growth and aquatic species with the proper water temperature and oxygen level.

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 non-glyphosate aquatic herbicides along the shore of Lake Washington at the following locations: 

  • Matthews Park beach
  • Magnuson Park beach
  • Magnuson Park boat ramp
  • Madison Park beach
  • Madrona Park beach
  • Stan Sayers Pits
  • Lakewood Marina
  • Seward Park beach
  • Prichard Island Beach

Informational signs will be posted near the treatment locations prior to treating the plants and appropriate safety precautions will be taken to ensure that there will be no exposure to park visitors, pets, and wildlife. 

The work is being performed under a permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology. AquaTechnex, LLC will manage an online webpage with information and updates on the program. Information here: https://seattleparksmilfoil.wordpress.com/

For more information please contact Brian Willis, Brian.Willis@seattle.gov.  For information about aquatic noxious weed control permits visit: https://ecology.wa.gov/Regulations-Permits/Permits-certifications/Aquatic-pesticide-permits/Aquatic-noxious-weed-control.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Opens Renovated Loyal Heights Play Area

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Seattle Parks and Recreation is happy to announce the opening of the Loyal Heights Play Area, 2101 NW 77th St. and completion of the renovation project.

The play area renovation project installed new play equipment from Landscape Structures with slides, swings, and climbing features. Included in the play area design is a new plaza with picnic tables, benches, water fountain, and accessible pathways connecting the play area to the community center. This renovation brings the site into compliance with current play area safety standards and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for accessibility.

Green Tech Excavation began construction in January 2021 and completed the project this week. Orange plastic fencing will remain in place around the turf areas until the grass establishes.

For more information on the play area project, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/loyal-heights-play-area-renovation. If you have questions about the project please contact Shannon Glass, Seattle Parks and Recreation, at Shannon.glass@seattle.gov or 206-733-9319. 

Seattle Parks and Recreation offers Performing Arts Initiative

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), as part of Welcome Back Seattle, is offering to waive fees for community individuals or groups to host performance-based art in select Seattle Parks. Performances can consist of an array of styles and include: theatrical, comedic, spoken word, Toastmasters, acoustical concert and more.

This opportunity is open to new permittees that host their event in one of seventeen (17) Seattle parks with amphitheater-style set ups. Parks include: 6th Ave NW Pocket, A.B. Ernst, Cesar Chavez, Commodore, Counterbalance, Daejeon, Dr. Blanche Lavizzo, Dr. Jose Rizal, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Civil Rights Memorial, Dragonfly Pavilion in Longfellow Creek Greenspace, First Hill, Fremont Peak, Greenwood, Jimi Hendrix, Magnuson, Othello, or Solstice.

Applications are based on a first come, first served process, on a rolling calendar. To qualify, applicants must be willing to meet the requirements for the fees to be waived. Requirements, in addition to the above, include: open to the public, no amplified sound, no money collection, providing event insurance and committing to do outreach to the neighborhood the event is hosted in.

Interested in applying?
You can apply by visiting http://www.seattle.gov/parks/reserve/park-use-permits and filling out or downloading a Park Use Application. Application forms must be turned in to Seattle Parks and Recreation staff at the Event Scheduling Office via USPS or emailed to parkusepermits@seattle.gov. Approval can take 5-10 business days.  Please indicate you are applying for the Performing Art Initiative.

Seattle Park System Ranked in Top 10 in National Index

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An image of the Seattle skyline with Mount Rainier in the background, and The Space Needle and other skyscrapers in the foreground. It's a sunny day and text in the center of the image says "Seattle, WA. 2021 ParkScore ranking #9"

The Trust for Public Lands has ranked Seattle in the top 10 cities nationwide in its 2021 ParkScore index. Seattle was No. 9 on the list, moving up from No. 14 last year. 

The index is a national comparison of park systems across the 100 most populated cities in the United States. Published annually, the index measures park systems according to five categories: access, investment, amenities, acreage, and—a significant new category for 2021—equity. TPL measures equity through park space per capita, 10-minute walk, by race and income. 

For the complete list of 2021 ParkScore rankings, see: https://www.tpl.org/parkscore. For the details of Seattle’s ranking see: https://www.tpl.org/city/seattle-washington. 

More interesting information and background are linked below