Parkways Seattle Parks and Recreation

Parkways

Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Parking Lot to Close on Capitol Hill to Make Way for New Park

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Seattle Parks and Recreation will permanently close the parking lot at 200 Summit Ave E. on Friday, March 26, 2010 at 3 p.m. to begin development of the new park for the west side of Capitol Hill. Construction fencing will be erected around the park on today, March 25, and will the area will be closed fully closed to vehicles on Friday at 3 p.m. 

The City purchased the .21-acre property in January of 2007 with funding from the 2000 Pro Parks Levy. At the time the City purchased the property, an agreement was put in place that allowed Diamond Parking Services to continue to manage the lot until the property became developed into a park. 

On March 24, Seattle Parks opened construction bids for the project, which will develop the lot into a community park with trees, plantings, a lawn, a picnic table, seating areas, terraced walkway and P-patch gardens. The low bidder will be awarded the construction bid in the coming weeks. Construction is anticipated to begin in early April, with a fall 2010 completion. 

 For more information, please visit: http://seattle.gov/parks/ProParks/projects/JohnSummitParkDevelopment.htm

or contact Kelly Davidson,  project manager at 206-684-0998 or Kelly.davidson@seattle.gov

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Celebrate Urban Nature

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Join Magnuson Community Center and EarthCorps for the first “Celebrate Urban Nature” event at the center, 7110 62nd Ave. NE, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 10. 

Bring the whole family to enjoy:

  • A tour of the Magnuson Park wetland, before the event at 9 a.m. 
  • A free concert by Caspar Babypants, (Chris Ballew, formerly of the Presidents of the United States), who performs “simple good time sing along music for kids and parents to enjoy together.” 
  • Birds of prey from the Woodland Park Zoo’s UP CLOSE program, which provides programs with live animals and keepers for classroom visits: http://www.zoo.org/Page.aspx?pid=552. 
  • A representative of the marine mammal division of NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration), who will talk about seals and whales. 
  • Interactive booths and displays including Seattle Bug Safari, which keeps a bug zoo and provides education workshops at schools; Bats Northwest, and the Washington Native Plant Society. 
  • Roving Reptiles, with their slithery collection of snakes, lizards, and more. 
  • Art and nature activities, including a worm bin, nature crafts, a recycle art workshop, and a class on how to create a bird-friendly garden. 
  • Nature-themed carnival games with nature-related prizes. 

Parks’ partner sponsor, EarthCorps, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build global community through local environmental service. An AmeriCorps affiliate, EarthCorps trains young adults in best practices for conservation and how to lead volunteers. For more information, please see http://www.earthcorps.org/.

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Regular Park Board Meeting on April 8

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The Seattle Board of Park Commissioners will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 8, in the Park Board Room at 100 Dexter Ave. N, the Parks Administration Building at the corner of Dexter Ave. N and Denny Way.

The agenda includes: 

Parks and Recreation Joint Use Agreement with the Seattle School District.

Parks staff will brief the Board on the negotiation of a new joint use agreement between Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Seattle School District. Since the 1920s, the District and Parks have pooled their physical resources to meet continuous youth and community needs for more recreation and enrichment opportunities. The District and Parks have shared gymnasiums, athletic fields, swimming pools, and other facilities, and have given  each other priority usage after each owner agency’s programming and community obligations are met. Since 1995, a Joint Use Agreement between the District and Parks has been renewed every five years. The existing agreement expires on August 31, 2010. We are currently negotiating the renewal of the agreement for 2010-2015.

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/Publications/JointUse.htm. 

Parks and Open Space Acquisition Report.

Parks staff will provide an overview of two decades of park and open space acquisitions, starting with properties acquired with funding from the 1989 Open Space Bond Issue. 

Encroachments and Unauthorized Non-Park Uses of Park Land.

Parks staff will brief the Board on encroachments and unauthorized non-park uses of park land. The briefing will include background information on encroachments, describe resources available and recent efforts to eliminate encroachments, and proposal of a strategy and general work plan for reclaiming public park land in the future. 

Briefing papers on the above presentations will be available on the Park Board website, http://www.seattle.gov/parks/ParkBoard/default.asp, by close of business on Thursday, April 1. 

The Board of Park Commissioners is a seven-member citizen board created by the City Charter. Three members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council; three members are appointed by the City Council; and one member is appointed by the Park Board. The Board meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month to advise the

Parks and Recreation Superintendent, the Mayor, and the City Council on parks and recreation matters. For more information, please contact Sandy Brooks at 206-684-5066 or sandy.brooks@seattle.gov.

Play Area at Golden Gardens Park to be Renovated and Relocated

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Seattle Parks and Recreation will host a community meeting to discuss the relocation and renovation of the Golden Gardens Park play area.  The meeting will be Wednesday, April 7, 2010 from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Golden Gardens Bathhouse, 8498 Seaview Pl NW. 

Parks’ design team will introduce the project and gather ideas from the community on building an improved play area at the park.  One of the goals is to relocate the play area away from the existing high traffic location.  

This renovation project, identified in the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy, provides for a larger play area with upgraded access to meet the standards and provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

The community is encouraged to come and participate in designing this new play area. 

For more information, please visit: http://seattle.gov/parks/projects/golden_gardens/playground.htm or contact Virginia Hassinger, project manager at 206-233-7936 or Virginia.hassinger@seattle.gov. 

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Seattle Parks Hosts Meeting on Meadowbrook Playfield Renovation

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Seattle Parks and Recreation will host a public meeting to discuss planned improvements to field #1 at Meadowbrook Playfield.  The meeting on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 from 7 – 8:30 p.m. will be held at Meadowbrook Community Center located at 10517 35th Ave NE. 

The renovation to the field includes re-grading the outfield surface, resurfacing the infield, replacing the irrigation and drainage system, installing new seeded grass, and replacement of the existing backstop and some perimeter fencing. 

This project is funded through the 2000 Pro Parks Levy.  Construction is anticipated to begin in early summer 2010, with completion expected by summer 2011. 

For more information, please visit: http://seattle.gov/parks/ProParks/projects/meadowbrookplayfield.htm  or contact Randy Robinson, Sr. Landscape Architect at (206) 684-7035 or randy.robinson@seattle.gov

Spring break week is Youth Appreciation Week at Seattle Parks and Recreation!

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Too often, we hear stories about young people only as superstar athletes or violent criminals. Seattle Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a week’s worth of events that recognize the real heroes among our youth—the ones who go to school every day and give it their best, the ones who work hard and study hard, the ones who help out in their community and help their neighbors.

The events take place during the week of March 26-April 2, coinciding with Spring Break for Seattle Public Schools. All activities are free or low cost and open to youth ages 11-18.

Youth Appreciation Week’s All City Main Event takes place on Thursday, April 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rainier Community Center. This year’s theme is Block Party – April Fools Edition. Activities include games, entertainment, competitions, giveaways, nutrition and fitness awareness, and food.

Schedule of events:

Friday, March 26

Youth Appreciation Free Swim 4:30-5:30 684-7438
Southwest Pool, 2801 SW p.m.
Thistle St.

Teen Dinner, Yesler Community Center, 917 E Yesler Way, 5:30 p.m. Contact: Donna,  386-1245

3 on 3 Tournament, Van Asselt Community Center,  2820 S Myrtle St., 5-8 p.m. Contact: Joy, 386-1921

Friday Night Teen Swim, Ballard Pool, 1471 NW 67th St., 7-8 p.m. Teens swim free and receive a FREE slide bracelet by showing
middle or high school photo ID! Contact: Angie, 684-4094.

Saturday, March 27

 Yesler Movie and Field Trip, 116:30 a.m. , Yesler Community Center, 917 E Yesler Way. Contact: Donna, 386-1245.

Monday, March 29

Wii/Xbox Festival and Game, Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 6535 Ravenna Ave. NE, 1 p.m. Contact: Lisa, 684-7534. Come spend the afternoon playing All the Wii and Xbox games you Want! Top dogs can face off in an end-of-day tournament. We’ll have basketball, volleyball, Frisbee golf, ping pong, and FOOD! It’s your time, so come have fun!

Wii Tournament, Rainer Community Center, 8825 Rainier Ave. S, 1-4 p.m. Contact: Derryn 386-1919.

Hip Hop Hoop, Rainier Beach Community Center, 4600 38th Ave. SE, 2-6 p.m. Contact: Cara. 386-1925.

Swimming at Medgar Evers Pool, meet at Montlake Community Center, 1618 E Calhoun, 10 a.m. Contact: Traci, 684-4736. There is a 10-
teen maximum; please be prompt!

Tuesday, March 30

Full Court Basketball “Game Time,” Yesler Community Center, 917 E Yesler Way, 3-6 p.m. Contact: Donna, 386-1245. Pick your squad!

T-Shirt Design and Making, Garfield Community Center, 2323 E Cherry St., 2-4 p.m. Contact: Nikitta, 684-4788.

Hike and Rope Course, Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave. SW, 1-5 p.m. Contact:  Lisa, 684-7534. Spend the afternoon exploring the tidepools and hiking trails and exploring the great outdoors! We may just challenge you to a rope course, and we will provide snacks. Please register by March 26. Van leaves from Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center at 12:30 p.m.

Free Teen Swim at Evans Pool, 7291 E Green Lake Dr. N, 7-8 p.m. Contact: Mputela, 684-0780.

Public Swim at Ballard Pool, 1471 NW 67th St., 1:30-3:30 p.m. Contact:  Angie, 684-4094.  $2.75, $1 for slide use. Relax at the pool
during your break! Use the basketball hoop, diving board, rope swing, and hot tub.

Ice Cream Social, Loyal Heights Community Center, 2101 NW 77th St., 4-6 p.m. Contact: Alexis, 684-4052.

Teen Travel Day, Garfield Community Center, 2323 E Cherry St., 1 p.m. Contact: Van leaves Nikitta, 684-4788. Van leaves at 1 p.m.

King Kong of Ping Pong, Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W, 3:30 p.m. Contact: Raft, 386-4235. An epic day of ping pong; up to 32 people can enter. Prizes include T- shirts, sports paraphernalia, and movie passes!

Movie and Burger Bar at Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave. SE, 2-6 p.m. Contact: Cara, 386-1925.

Dodgeball at Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California Ave. SW, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Contact: Matthew, 684-7451. There’s an 8-team cap, so interested groups should email matthew.roberson@seattle.gov to sign up in advance.

Wednesday, March 31

Pathways: Life After High School Youth Education and Career Fair, The journey to your future begins here. In a time with few jobs and a large workforce pool, what can you do to strengthen your resume and develop your employable skills? Join us and find out what paths lay ahead. Rainier Community Center (4600 38th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118), from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Scavenger Hunt, various north end community centers, 2-5 p.m. Contact: Cindy, 684-7529. Compete in this hunt and win some great prizes. We will hop from center to center, so meet at your center at1:15 p.m. We’ll need an E-13 form for you to ride in the van.

 Northgate After Hours, Late Night at Northgate! Northgate Community Center, 10510 5th Ave. NE, 9-11 p.m. Contact : Nick, 386-4283.
Join us for music, snacks, and a Hot Shot competition. Game, Teen, and Fitness Rooms will be open. We’ll need an E-13 Form for you.

Bake-Off at Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW, 1-3 p.m. Contact: Daryl, 684-7423.

Youth Appreciation Week BBQ, Garfield Teen Life Center, 428 23rd Ave., 6:30-8 p.m. Contact: Joy, 684-4550.

‘Nolia Bowl,Magnolia Community Center, 2550 34th Ave. W, 4 p.m. Contact: Raft, 386-4235. Join us for a fun, spirited flag football game
followed by a unity BBQ.

Bowling! Montlake Community Center, 1618 E Calhoun St., 10 a.m. Contact: Traci, 684-4736. There is a 10-teen maximum for this event,
so please be prompt.

Thursday April 1 – No fooling!

Youth appreciation Week Block Party, Rainier Community Center, 4600 38th Ave. S, 1-4 p.m. Join us for fun  activities and a BBQ for Youth Appreciation Week! We’ll need an E-13 form if you want to ride with us. Please call your closest community center: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/centers.asp for transportation and information.

Friday, April 2

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament, Garfield Community Center, 2323 E Cherry St., 3-5 p.m. Contact : Nikitta, 684-4788.
2323 E Cherry St.
Field Day Event, Laurelhurst Community Center, 4554 NE 41st St., 3-5 p.m. Contact: Cindy, 684-7529.

Ballard Community Center 4-H to Host Flea Market

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Ballard Community Center’s 4-H Club will host a flea market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. March 27 at the center, 6020 28th Ave. NW. 

The flea market will feature more than 25 tables offering gently used items at great prices, and a pot of Washington State University Cougar chili will be simmering on the stove to offer an inexpensive lunch. 

Proceeds from the event will support enrollment fees for low-income youth and supplies for the program. 

Ballard Community Center offers the 4-H program in cooperation with the Washington State University Extension 4-H Youth Development Program:  http://4h.wsu.edu/. 

4-H, founded in 1902 to “empower youth to reach their full potential, working and learning in partnership with caring adults,” focuses on four aspects of youth development: head, heart, hands, and health. For more information on 4-H, please see http://4-h.org/.

Meeting for Sandel Playground Renovation

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Seattle Parks and Recreation is hosting an open house at Sandel Park, located at 9053 1st Ave. NW, to view the design for the Sandel Park play area renovation. The open house will be Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 11 a.m. – noon. The public is encouraged to attend, meet the design team, and learn about the changes that are coming to this park. 

The renovation project, identified in the Parks and Green Spaces Levy, will provide new play equipment for children ages 2 -12, site improvements to enhance safety, and access improvements to facilitate use by all park visitors.  

Seattle voters passed the Parks and Green Spaces Levy in November 2008. The $146 million Levy provides acquisition funding for new neighborhood parks and green spaces and development funding for projects such as improved playfields, reservoir lid parks, renovated playgrounds, community gardens, and safety upgrades at city owned cultural facilities. 

For more information, please contact Kelly Davidson, Project Manager, at 206-684-0998 or kelly.davidson@seattle.gov or visit http://seattle.gov/parks/projects/sandel/playground.htm.

Regular Park Board Meeting on March 25

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The Seattle Board of Park Commissioners will hold its next meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25, in the Park Board Room at 100 Dexter Ave. N, the Parks Administration Building at the corner of Dexter Ave. N and Denny Way. 

The agenda includes:

Green Seattle Partnership

Parks and Cascade Land Conservancy staff will provide the Board with an update on progress on the Green Seattle Partnership. The Partnership, between the City of Seattle and the Cascade Land Conservancy, is a commitment to restore 2,500 acres of urban forest by the year 2020. For more information on the Partnership, please go to http://greenseattle.org/.

 Viewpoint Management

Parks staff will bring the Board up to date on Parks and Recreation’s implementation of the Viewpoint Management Policy. It will include information on the status of designated public viewpoints and the efforts underway to manage the vegetation at these sites.

 Budget Briefing

Parks staff will provide a briefing on information received to date on 2010 City revenues and the likelihood of a 2010 mid-year budget reduction, and on the 2011 budget process.

 Briefing papers on the above presentations will be available on the Park Board website, http://www.seattle.gov/parks/ParkBoard/default.asp, by close of business on Thursday, March 18.

The Board of Park Commissioners is a seven-member citizen board created by the City Charter. Three members are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council; three members are appointed by the City Council; and one member is appointed by the Park Board. The Board meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month to advise the

Parks and Recreation Superintendent, the Mayor, and the City Council on parks and recreation matters. For more information, please contact Sandy Brooks at 206-684-5066 or sandy.brooks@seattle.gov.

48th Annual Green Lake Regatta

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The 48th Annual Green Lake Spring Regatta will welcome nearly 1,000 participants on Saturday, March 20. More than 30 teams from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia will begin competition at 7:20 a.m. and continue throughout the day, with the last race at 5 p.m.  

Races will start every 10 minutes. Schedules are available at www.greenlakecrew.org or available for pick up at the event. Races begin at the north end of the lake near Duck Island, and finish at the Aqua Theater. Seating in the Aqua Theater is limited, but another great viewing spot is along the southwest shore of the lake, just west of the Aqua Theater. 

There will be a coffee and tee-shirt vendor available for hot drinks and merchandise throughout the day. The Green Lake Junior Rowers will announce the races. Come cheer on the home team at this annual start of the racing season regatta. 

Spectators are encouraged to walk, bike or bus to the park. Parking will be extremely limited. 

For more information, call the Green Lake Small Craft Center at (206) 684-4074. 

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