Many Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed for Independence Day or on special holiday schedules. Some facilities may be open, but have limited operations. Please call in advance.

These facilities and services will have CLOSURES:

• Community centers
• Teen life centers
• Environmental learning centers
• Indoor swimming pools
• Green Lake Small Craft Center
• Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center (some limited activities for registered programs only will be open)

These facilities are OPEN:

• Golf courses
• Boat ramps
• Beaches
• Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool
• Colman Pool
• Wading pools*
• Sprayparks*

*Wading Pools and Spraypark schedules are subject to change. Check http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/spray-parks-and-wading-pools for detailed schedule information and updates.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to Dragon Fest 2019 at Hing Hay Park on Saturday, June 29, 2019. Please visit our current concierge booth between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. to learn about the future Hing Hay Park Concierge Station and Single Use Restroom project. Hing Hay Park is located at 423 Maynard Ave. S, in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District.

SPR is moving forward with the planning, design and construction of this project that will be an added public benefit to the newly expanded Hing Hay Park in Seattle’s Chinatown International District. The new restroom will be located in the northeast area of the park in the basement of the Bush Hotel.

The SPR restroom will be designed with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles and constructed to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The project will utilize SPR’s standard fixtures and finishes. The single use restroom will be available to the public when a concierge is present at the park and SPR will be responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the facility.

For more information about Dragon Fest visit http://cidbia.org/events/dragonfest/.

For more information about the project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/hing-hay-park For additional questions or if you need an interpreter or accommodations please contact CJ de Leon at CJ.deLeon@seattle.gov or 206-684-8568.

On May 29, 2019, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) finalized the acquisition of Lake Washington waterfront property, 13000 Riviera Place NE, in northeast Seattle. This site had been a public small street-end beach property used by the community as a public park and access to Lake Washington since the early 1900’s.

In 2013 in became clear that the land was not in fact publicly owned. 

Neighboring community members rallied the City to help restore public access to this waterfront property. In 2015, the City Council authorized the acquisition. The City initiated a condemnation process in 2016, and a settlement was reached. SPR finalized the purchase of this property last month. The property totals 13,736 sq. ft, mostly water, with a small shoreline area of 3,653 sq. ft. 

“Our City’s waterfront parks are the gems of the Seattle park system. This acquisition will produce many benefits for the surrounding neighborhood and every District 5 resident who enjoys recreation on Lake Washington. I am grateful to both Seattle Parks and Recreation and the City Attorney’s office for all the hard work that went into restoring public access to this space,” said Councilmember Debora Juarez.

Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes said, “As the weather heats up, the North Seattle public will have new access to the cool waters of Lake Washington. I’m proud of the dogged work of Assistant City Attorney Charles Gussow on my team and our Parks and Recreation Department to secure an agreement to further open our shorelines to the community.”

“We are thrilled to add this small beach into our city’s park system. Access to the natural environment and waterfront provides incredible health, mental health, and community benefits to our residents,” said Jesús Aguirre, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent. 

This small beach is accessible by foot or by bike, and is most easily reached by the Burke Gilman Trail.

Seattle Parks and Recreation will turn on field lighting on ballfields throughout the city on the evening of Wednesday, July 3 and Thursday, July 4  to protect the surfaces. The ballfield lights will be turned on at approximately 8:30 p.m. and most will be turned off at either 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., depending on the field.

The lights will be turned on to discourage the use of fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in the city of Seattle and will destroy the artificial turf on the fields or surrounding facilities. The approximate replacement cost for the synthetic surface based on per average full-size field (110,000 square feet) is $1.2 million. All the fields have been renovated in the past several years and benefit field users including players of soccer, football, baseball, Ultimate Frisbee and lacrosse.     

The fields will be monitored by security from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Lights at the following fields will be turned off at 11 p.m.:

• Bobby Morris at Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave
• Delridge Playfield, 4458 Delridge Way SW
• Garfield #1, E Cherry St & 23rd Ave
• Genesee Upper and Lower Playfield, 4316 S Genesee St.
• Georgetown Playfield, 750 S Homer St.
• Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave. SW
• Interbay Athletic Complex, 3027 17th Ave W
• Jefferson Playfield, 4165 16th Ave. S
• Lower Woodland Playfield #2 and #7, 5201 Green Lake Way North
• Walt Hundley Playfield, 6920 34th Avenue SW
• Washington Park Playfield, 2500 Lake Washington Blvd. E
• West Seattle Stadium, 4432 35^th Ave. SW

Lights at the following fields will turned off at 10 p.m.:

• Loyal Heights Playfield, 2101 NW 77th St
• Mickey Merriam Athletic field complex, Magnuson #5 (Rugby), #6, #7, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E.
• Miller Playfield, 330 19th Ave. E

Lights will turned off at the following grass fields at 11 p.m.

• Ballard Playfield, 2644 NW 60th St.
• Rainier Playfield, 3700 S Alaska St.
• W Queen Anne Playfield, 150 W Blaine St.

Seattle Parks and Recreation, Atlantic Street Center, and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute are proud to present the annual Teen Summer Musical, Uncle Willy’s Chocolate Factory.

The summer musical is an opportunity for local teens to perform on the big stage while learning the business side of theater operations. It allows them to connect, communicate and exchange ideas with youth from other backgrounds and cultures. Summer musical participants earn a stipend for rehearsals and performance during this 9-week summer program. The teen summer musical theater experience is just one more way to captivate our youth while they are in the “hope stage” of their development into young adults.

The program, which attracts dozens of teens of color, provides an introduction to the world of theater. Through workshops and collaborative practices, the participants develop self-discipline, self-confidence and self-motivation, character traits essential to becoming emotionally healthy, contributing members of our community.

A staff of professional artists develop the talents and skills of some 60 youth who spend nine hours together Monday through Friday for 9 weeks for acting, dance and vocal training and hands-on work with the technical aspects of theater – costume, lighting and set design.

Most past Teen Summer Musical productions have been adaptations of fairy tales whose roles have traditionally been played by Caucasian actors. But here, stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Cinderella, Snow White and Peter Pan morph into modern tales that reflect modern experiences. The revisions reflect a look through a true racial equity lens, which allows the youth to relate to the theatrical piece.

The results speak for themselves in a full stage performance mounted in a major theater, with a full professional production team.

2019 performances will take place at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., August 22 through 25.

Show times                                  Matinee                                Evening

Thursday, August 22                         —                                         7 p.m.

Friday, August 23                            Noon                                      7 p.m.

Saturday, August 24                         1                                           7 p.m.

Sunday, August 25                          3 p.m.                                          —

Ticket information

$18 for youth (ages 4-17) and seniors (62+); $23 for adults. Patrons under the age of 3 are permitted without a ticket.

Tickets are available here: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/concerttickets/calendar/2018-2019/benaroyahall/uncle-willys-chocolate-factory

The play is an adaptation of the book Charlie and the Chocolate by Roald Dahl. Adapted and directed by Isiah Anderson, Jr. Music directed by Michelle Lang and choreography by Tyrone “Koach T” Crosby.

Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Teen Summer Musical is sponsored in part by Lyft, Banner Bank, Regal, Popeye’s, Swedish Hospital, Woodland Park Players, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, and New Seasons Market.

We’re highlighting some of our SW Lifelong Summer Recreation activities. All Lifelong Recreation activities, including summer fitness classes, are suited specifically for those age 50 and older. Register today at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/

Line Dance Class 

Work out your mind and body.  Learn new dance patterns to all kinds of great music! 5 classes run 7/9-8/27.  No class 7/23, 7/30, 8/13.

Beginner:

• Class#: 20612 Day/time: Tue; 10:15a.m.-11:15a.m. Location: Hiawatha Community Center Instructor: L. Reese Cost: $22

• Class#: 20610   Day/time:   Tue; 6:30p.m.-7:30p.m.  Location: Alki Community Center   Instructor: L. Reese Cost: $22

Advanced Beginner:2

• Class#: 20611   Day/time:  Tue; 9:30a.m.-10:15a.m. Location: Hiawatha Community Center   Instructor: L. Reese   Cost: $17

Zumba Gold

Ditch the workout, join the party!  Fun is the key ingredient in this low impact Latin inspired dance fitness class.  No rhythm and no partner needed. You’ll leave exhilarated and energized! $18 Four (4) classes run 7/8-7/30

• Class#: 20615    Day/time:  Mon; 10a.m.-11a.m.  Location:  Alki Community Center Instructor:M Jorgensen         

• Class#: 20616    Day/time: Tue; 10a.m.-11a.m  Location: Alki Community Center  Instructor: M Jorgensen      

Fitness at Alki            

Build total body muscle strength using fitness bands, free weights and floor work. Improve balance, flexibility and agility.  Bring weights to class. $36

• Class#: 20606  Day/Time: Wed; 10a.m.-11a.m Location: Alki Community Center  Instructor: M Dalzell

Tai Chi- Principles & Practice           

Opportunity for beginners to practice basic principles of yang style tai chi.  Continuing students will deepen their practice. Open to all.   No class 7/22, 7/29. $27

• Class#: 20614  Day/time: Mon; 10 am-11am Location: High Point Community Center  Instructor: H Dickinson   

Gentle Yoga              

Stretch and move with awareness, correct alignment and a focus on breath to increase strength and stamina, improve flexibility, and develop better balance, posture, poise, and peace of mind. $40    

• Class#: 20607  Day/time: Tue; 9:15a.m. – 10:15a.m. Location: Delridge Community Center Instructor: J Reed   
• Class #: 20608 Day/time: Fri; 10:45a.m.- 11:45a.m. Location: High Point Community Center Instructor: J Reed                
  

We’re offering several FREE youth summer sports camps, including volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, and soccer. See details and age limits below. To register, visit seattle.gov/parks and click on “Search Activities & Sign Up Here” or contact your local community center.

The 2019 Arts in Parks brochure has arrived! Download it here.

The Arts in Parks program supports new and established community festivals, art happenings and music concerts that enliven Seattle parks by promoting arts and culture, celebrating diversity, building community connections and energizing parks while connecting with underserved communities. Arts in Parks is an initiative of Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Office of Arts and Culture. All events are free and open to the public. Learn more here.

“The Arts in Parks program brings our parks to life with an array of local art pieces, performances and cultural events that celebrate Seattle’s diverse communities,” said Jesús Aguirre, Superintendent, Seattle Parks and Recreation. “This program is presented in partnership with the Office of Arts & Culture and is a wonderful example of how we collaborate to bring new and innovative opportunities to serve all Seattle residents. Arts in Parks activities are free and open to all, and offer a fun and unique way to explore the city’s parks. I hope everyone has the chance to get out this summer and experience this program and the incredible art and beautiful open spaces our city has to offer!”.

Join us for Family Movie Night on these Thursdays:

• Thursday, July 25: Black Panther
• Thursday, August 8: Incredibles 2

Arrive before Dusk (after 8 p.m.) Bring a blanket or a chair! Questions? Contact: chris.easterday@seattle.gov.

Seattle City Light has awarded a $1.8 million contract to a team led by Worley to design and construct a solar microgrid at Miller Community Center, located in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. The public is invited to attend an informational meeting on July 10.

The solar microgrid project will include the installation of a battery energy storage system, solar panels and microgrid controls. Once installed, the microgrid will provide backup power storage for the community center during emergency events, such as a windstorm or unplanned power outage.

City Light and Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) selected Miller Community Center to host the $3.3 million demonstration project, after a careful assessment of sites. The project is funded through a $1.8 million investment from City Light and a $1.5 million state Clean Energy Fund grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce.

Design and construction of the new microgrid is scheduled to occur in early 2020. The University of Washington will gather analytics on the microgrid after it has been installed.

City Light and SPR are hosting an informational meeting to discuss details about the microgrid project on Wednesday, July 10 from 4-6 p.m. at Miller Community Center (330 19^th Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98112). Project staff will be available to answer questions about the project.

For more information about this project, please visit seattle.gov/light/atwork.

Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to about 750,000 Seattle area residents. City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction.