Parkways - Page 3 of 301 - Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Play Areas reopen starting Oct. 6

October 5, 2020 by Rachel Schulkin

All play areas in Seattle parks will reopen to the public on October 6. Seattle Parks and Recreation staff, with support from our partners at the Washington Department of Health and Seattle King County Public Health, have created some guidelines that can keep us all safe while using these spaces.

How to use play areas safely:

Play equipment is open to five or fewer kids at a time
Some play areas have only one piece of play equipment (usually a climber/slide combo), and others have many pieces of equipment (swings, little kids climber, big kids climber, zipline, etc.). No more than five kids on a piece of play equipment.
Stay home if you are sick or if anyone in your family is sick.
Please wash your child’s hands before and after play.
All children over the age of two must wear a mask. See here for mask information and exception because of disability.
Give yourself and others at least six feet of space.

Please be aware that play areas are not regularly sanitized or cleaned.

Here are a few tips on how to keep us all safe and keep these spaces open:

Keep a close eye on your child to ensure that they are following the guidelines
Stay for a short time (30 min. or less) to give everyone an opportunity to play
No food or drink on the play equipment to ensure that masks are worn at all times.
Visit parks during less busy times. Visit less popular parks. Seattle has over 150 play areas (not including those at schools).
Mornings are less busy than afternoons
Weekdays are less busy than weekends
Green Lake, Seward, Magnuson, Discovery, Lincoln, Gas Works, Carkeek and Jefferson Park are some of Seattle’s busier play areas.
We are all in this together, so kindly remind others of the guidelines and find a different activity if the play area gets too crowded.

We cannot allow play areas to be places where COVID-19 is spread, so we need folks to use these spaces safely.

For questions or concerns please email PKS_info@seattle.gov

Play Area Public Health Guideline Signage (guidelines above)

Proposed 2021 Budget

September 29, 2020 by Rachel Schulkin

Today, Mayor Jenny Durkan is releasing her 2021 Proposed Budget. This budget comes during a series of challenges for the City. A global pandemic, an economic recession, a civil rights reckoning, climate related wildfires, and failing infrastructure in our City have all combined to make this budget unlike any other in our history.

Our revenue challenges are a direct result of the pandemic causing a significant and immediate slowdown in economic activity. In 2020, we froze spending, delayed projects, and spent down our one-time revenue sources to delay impacts to the City.

The Mayor’s 2021 budget prioritizes maintaining investments in community that promote equity as well as critical funding to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. To the extent possible, this budget maintains core services to minimize the impact of filling a more than $300 million dollar shortfall to our City budget.

Many of the recreation programs that Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) puts on have not been safe to operate since February. We have pivoted staff and resources to meet current community needs by implementing the following programs: community showers, childcare for those furthest from educational justice, enhanced cleaning of facilities and restrooms, a focus on keeping parks open while supporting public health and safety, free meals programs, and virtual programming aimed at those most isolated. We have provided these critical services while also seeking to address significant gaps in revenue typically generated through fee-based programs, and our 2020 adjusted budget reflects many of the reductions made in light of these challenges.

As the 2021 budget is transmitted, limitations on recreation are still in place while community needs remain significant. Our 2021 Proposed Budget recognizes that Seattle Parks and Recreation can best support our community and plan for our future by maintaining our operational capacity and retaining staff to support the changing needs of our community. Yet this budget also reflects the incredible budgetary impact of this pandemic by pausing many of our planned capital development projects.

We do not make these decisions lightly and recognize that this will result in hard community conversations with those who have partnered with us and advocated for these projects. Our hope is that as the economy recovers, and as we formulate a funding plan for the next six-year cycle of the Park District, we will be able to restart many of these paused capital projects.

Additionally, revenues brought in by our programs (aquatics, event space rentals, permits, golf, etc.) enable SPR to provide these and other programs and pay the staff who run them. The loss of most of the revenue generated by these programs has contributed to the reductions outlined below. It is important to note that this loss continues to grow and may require the department to make additional reductions.

Continue to leave vacant positions unfilled and reduce use of temporary employees
Pause dozens of park development projects, along with many major maintenance projects
Eliminate funding to support community organization to do programming in downtown and neighborhood parks
Reduce forest restoration work
Stopping our Major Projects Challenge Fund grant program
and a reduction to our land acquisition funds

Our goal in making these reductions was to leave intact projects that will benefit communities of color, preserve our ability to respond to eminent community need, and to retain staff and structure that will enable us to rebuild as the pandemic recedes and funding is reinstated.

In the last quarter of 2020 and through 2021 Seattle Parks and Recreation anticipates being able to provide additional services to the public, though these services will likely be limited due to public health guidance and staffing limitations. This will result in centers with capital improvement projects in 2021 remaining closed for the duration of the year and shifting Alki Community Center into a center that only offers childcare and rentals to neighbors and community groups.

As we move forward, we must make choices on how and where to provide additional programs and services. As we do so, we are committed to prioritizing communities of color.

Our services and programs are very different than they were at the beginning of 2020, and our future will also be very different than we anticipated just six months ago. Nonetheless, we are committed to doing our best to support healthy people, a healthy environment, and strong communities.

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to participate in 2020 Cal Anderson Park — Please take short survey and join us online!

September 28, 2020 by OConnoK

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to participate in a short survey http://bit.ly/CalAnderson2 and join the third online discussions for 2020 Cal Anderson Park. This project engages the public on how changing assumptions and language can affect the design of park spaces and create a sense of belonging for everyone. Please participate on-line in a conversation and vision for the future of Cal Anderson Park on Wednesday, October 7 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at https://dlrgroup.zoom.us/j/96794281610 or Thursday, October 8 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at https://dlrgroup.zoom.us/j/93691483865. Choose either day to participate.

What is important to our community must be reflected in our parks. Our goal is to engage community around how we can use Seattle’s parks spaces to support better outcomes for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and LGBTQIA+ communities in our city and our region.

Together with the community and Seattle Parks and Recreation, Rico Quirindongo will lead the consultant team of DLR Group and HBB, Inc. to discuss, inventory, and prioritize ideas for interventions to Cal Anderson Park. On October 7 and 8 we will discuss survey results, integration of public input, strategies for early and long-term implementation to enhance the sense of belonging in the park, as well as new ideas and next steps in this process for Cal Anderson Park.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the first two online conversations. Recordings of the meetings and additional information are available for review here https://2020calandersonpark.com/.

The survey is translated into six languages and closed captioning will be provided for the online meetings. For additional questions about project or meeting assistance/accommodations please contact 2020CalAnderson@seattle.gov.

Construction to begin at Duwamish Waterway Park

September 25, 2020 by OConnoK

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will begin construction of the Duwamish Waterway Park Improvements at 7900 10th Ave. S in South Park in October 2020. SPR purchased the 1.3-acre site from King County after a community-led process to make the property a permanent neighborhood riverfront park. Working with the Seattle Parks Foundation, the Friends of Duwamish Waterway Park raised over $1 million for park improvements and catalyzed the renovation effort.

The community vision provides significant improvements to the park to make it a healthy and welcoming space for families, young people, and seniors. The final design provides more welcoming park entries and includes:

an improved perimeter pathway with a series of interpretive artwork boulders that enhance the river view with messages relating to the community and area history;
an all-ages accessible playground including a climbing structure and zip line as well as boulders, logs, and benches; and
new park furnishings with accessible picnic tables, barbecues, drinking fountain and foot wash, additional benches, and bike racks.

The park has been carefully laid out to maximize open space for recreation and festivals and to preserve river access for launching hand-carried boats. Vegetation management will improve sightlines throughout the park and will include new riparian plantings that control erosion and supplement the native shoreline plantings installed by Seattle Parks and Recreation over the years.

During the purchase of the property, SPR was made aware that the soil beneath the grass next to the river in the northeastern portion of the property contained elevated levels of arsenic contamination. In preparation for construction, SPR submitted a cleanup plan to the Washington Department of Ecology and is finalizing the plan for the property with Ecology.

SPR will begin soil remediation work prior to construction. The soil in the northeastern portion of the park site will be removed and replaced with clean fill. After consulting with SPR arborists and in order to preserve the large trees at the park, SPR will use air spading to remove soil around critical root zones of trees. SPR arborists will oversee this work to minimize impact to the trees and to see that clean soil is correctly placed around them. We anticipate removal of approximately 80 cubic yards of soil or more in this initial action. Most of the cleanup work will be completed before the park renovation begins; any remaining cleanup on SPR property will be coordinated during the construction of park improvements. Cleanup on non-Seattle Parks and Recreation property is not included in this project.

We anticipate awarding the construction contract for park improvements in late September 2020, with construction starting in late October 2020 and completed in summer 2021.

For more information please contact Jessica Michalak, Capital Projects Coordinator, Seattle Parks and Recreation, at Jessica.michalak@seattle.gov or 206-470-9147 or visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/duwamish-waterway-park-activation.

Seattle Parks and Recreation now offering virtual programs

September 21, 2020 by Kyle Morrison

Seattle community centers and pools remain closed to the public – no thanks to COVID-19, which is keeping many of us from participating in the onsite exercise classes and activities we used to enjoy. But good news: your favorite Seattle Parks and Recreation instructors have brought their talents to a screen near you! Check out our newest offerings below and click on the class name to sign up.

Have a cup of Coffee and Chat with our staff and friends from our Lifelong Recreation family. It is our hope that you’ll be able to connect (virtually) with friends you’ve met in your classes and trips with us, and that we can maintain some social connections through this time. We’ll have a question of the day to get the conversational ball rolling… And it’s FREE!

Virtual Chess Lessons for Kids (ages 5 to 13):
Chess Wizards is one of the nation’s premier chess education companies; their mission is to make learning chess fun and exciting for kids. They have adapted some of the most popular activities in the physical classroom to fit the digital environment. These include puzzles, tournaments, blitz games, and even chess variation games. Chess Wizards Online is designed to be an enjoyable and valuable experience for students, and offers classes at a variety of levels.

Exercise Programs for Seniors (Ages 50+):
Seattle Parks and Recreation offers a variety of classes for those 50 and over to keep your body and mind active during our time at home. From yoga and balance to Tai Chi and more, we have classes that can fit any nees. Some classes are even FREE. Check it out!

Cooking around the World! (ages 7-12):
Join us for an exciting world tour of delicious recipes and fun cooking techniques! Each week we will cook a recipe from across the globe while learning about new countries and regions, such as Italian Pizza or Japanese Udon! By the end of this series, students will have the practical skills necessary to begin cooking at home, and the knowledge necessary to eat food in a wholesome, nutritional, and sustainable manner.

Looking for school day childcare?
In partnership with Associated Recreation Council we are offering childcare at 19 sites throughout Seattle. Programs provide full-day care and support virtual learning. Scholarships are available! We still have space; please register online.

Get those little wiggles out thru DANCING!
We use movement and music to stimulate brain reflexes, teach social/emotional learning skills, and encourage joy and self-expression. Music, props, and brain-integrated dance games help to strengthen bodies, minds, and souls of little ones. Class offerings: Ballet, Dance Party, and Playful Dance.

Get up and Dance at Home (Adults/16yrs and up):
Dancing not only lifts you out of your “Stay At Home Sads” but can also get you a great workout. Check these offerings: Dance Fitness, Soul Line Dance, and you can even learn the Thriller Dance.

Wondering what to do with your kid after the virtual school day is done? Try:

Tell us what kind of programming you’d like to see

Seattle Parks and Recreation is working to bring the best aspects of our recreation programming in a physically distant, socially connected manner. Please take a minute to let us know how we can best serve you.
Virtual Programs at Seattle Parks and Recreation Survey

I-5 Colonnade Dog Park partially closes for maintenance

September 18, 2020 by OConnoK

Seattle Parks and Recreation will partially close the I-5 Colonnade Off-leash Area(OLA), 1701 Lakeview Blvd. E, 98102 as part of a maintenance project that will replace the gravel in the dog park. The maintenance project will begin in the north section of the park and start Tuesday, September 22, 2020. Access to this park will be available from the opposite entrance from the work site.

The nearest two OLA’s are Denny Park 100 Dexter Ave N., 98109 and Plymouth Pillars Park located at the corner of Pine St and Boren St., 98101. Please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/dog-off-leash-areas for other off leash area opportunities.

The Seattle Park District’s Maintaining Parks and Facilities funding initiative provides funding to improve OLAs throughout Seattle. This initiative provides $100,000 annually until the end of this year, 2020 and will improve existing off-leash areas through increased maintenance while providing updates to aging infrastructure. In 2016, we completed a capital plan for all OLAs, People, Dogs and Parks Plan. This plan provides a scope and prioritization of projects.

Several maintenance improvement projects were completed over the last two years at Magnuson Park, Genesee Park, Regrade Park, Woodland Park and Blue Dog Pond Park OLAs.

For more information about the project please visit http://wwwqa.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/dog-off-leash-areas

For more information please contact Peggy Tosdal at peggy.tosdal@seattle.gov or 206-419-3136.

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites community to review design for Terry Pettus Park renovation and expansion

September 17, 2020 by OConnoK

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to review the proposed schematic design for the future Terry Pettus Park and provide final design input. The proposed schematic design incorporates the newly acquired property to the south of the park. Please register for the online Zoom meeting http://bit.ly/pettusparkmeeting2 and join us online Wednesday, September 23 at 4 p.m. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the meeting. While we cannot meet in person right now, your input is important to us!

At the last meeting, the design team from Jones & Jones Architects and Landscape Architects heard from the community that they preferred the two concept alternatives Terraces and Restoration. The design team combined the features of these two concepts along with other public input, and developed the proposed schematic design. The proposal improves universal access across the site and includes multi-level terraces for sitting and picnicking, restored upland habitat areas, a new dock, and a new beach.

Terry Pettus Park is located in the Eastlake neighborhood at 2001 Fairview Ave E.

For additional questions about project please contact Karen O’Connor at 206-233-7929 or karen.oconnor@seattle.gov or visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/terry-pettus-park-renovation.

Input needed for SW Brandon & SW Findlay Streets Trail Improvements & Wayfinding

September 15, 2020 by OConnoK

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) and Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) invite the Delridge and High Point communities to participate in creating better pedestrian connections in the Delridge neighborhood. Please take a tour of the site by watching this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_OsfnhbZIY&feature=youtu.be and visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C9HBJCF to provide input.

This design project will provide a plan for improving pedestrian paths along SW Brandon and SW Findlay streets and make trail entries to Camp Long and Longfellow Creek more open and welcoming to the public. One of the goals of this project is to improve access for the future new RapidRide H Line stops that will begin service in 2021 at SW Findlay and Delridge.

For more information about the project please visit

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/sw-brandon-and-sw-findlay-streets-trail-improvements-and-wayfinding.

For more information on the future RapidRide H Line please visit www.seattle.gov/transportation/delridgetransit and https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/programs-projects/fares-routes-and-service/rapidride-expansion/h-line

For questions about the project please contact Ed Pottharst, Ed.Pottharst@seattle.gov or 206-386-4232.

Seattle Parks and Recreation needs your input on the Salmon Bay Park Play Area

September 15, 2020 by OConnoK

While we cannot meet in person right now, your input is important to us! Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is beginning the renovation of the Salmon Bay Play Area, a neighborhood park in Ballard at 2001 NW Canoe Pl, Seattle WA 98117. Please participate in this short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZJPDT7T and help shape the future play area.

The survey provides an opportunity for community members to provide input on the play area project and tell SPR design team what the community values about this park and play area, and how it might be improved.

The project focuses on installing new play equipment (the newly replaced zipline will be retained), access improvements, and replacing site furnishings. Renovated elements will meet current safety and accessibility standards.

For more information please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/salmon-bay-park-play-area-renovation or contact Ed Pottharst at ed.pottharst@seattle.gov or 206-386-4232.

New temporary artwork installed in four Seattle parks

September 14, 2020 by Kyle Morrison

A handful of Seattle parks now have a new attraction to interest and inspire visitors (as soon as the wildfire smoke clears up). Temporary public art installations have been placed in Dr. Blanch Lavizzo Park, Judkins Park, Pratt Park and Salmon Bay Park thanks to a joint effort between Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The series is titled “Emerging Together” and features works by artists selected through the Arts in Parks program. In addition to the five art installations listed below, two more will be installed in the coming month. The art pieces below, which were each installed at different times in August, will be in place for about 45 days.

For more information please contact Seattle Parks at 206-233-5168 or send an email to artsinparks@seattle.gov. You may also visit the Arts in Parks website.

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