Seattle Parks and Recreation will be removing the Laurelhurst Fire Pit (located at Laurelhurst Park next to the community center) in the coming weeks. Over the past 5 years, we have seen an increase in more aggressive fires and unattended fires. Staff have also reported fires being ignited by youth under the age of 18 without adult supervision as well as users burning trash or unclean wood. In addition, neighbors have complained each summer about the smoke and the use of the pit, including issues around trash and alcohol bottles being left in the area.

We are sad to see the fire pit go, but we want to be responsive to the community’s concerns as well as the health and safety concerns noticed by our staff.

Looking for a new spot to enjoy a fire outdoors?

Seattle Parks and Recreation allows for beach bonfires at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens Beach. Keep in mind, beach fires are only allowed at designated fire rings at these two sites. The fire rings are available first come, first served. Please only burn clean (natural, bare, dry cord-wood) wood and douse your fire completely before leaving. Learn more here.

Do you have fond memories of the Laurelhurst Fire Pit?

We’d love to see pics of how you’ve enjoyed the fire pit over the years! Please share pictures or your favorite memories by tagging “SeattleParks” on Twitter or “Seattle Parks and Recreation” on Facebook.

To better serve the community and to create a more equitable process, we are moving the summer camp registration date to open on April 7, 2020 (in previous years, summer camp registration typically opened in February).

This change will allow for more scholarship families (families with limited financial resources) to have their tax statements completed for the prior year in order to apply for a scholarship for camp, and it will allow Seattle Parks and Recreation to more efficiently process scholarship applications. In previous years, we saw that many families with limited resources were not able to register during the February registration period because they did not have enough time to prepare their tax documents. Some families had to wait several months in order to register, by which point many camps had filled up.

The new later registration date (April 7, 2020) supports Seattle Parks and Recreation’s efforts to strengthen equity and access to our programs, and will provide a greater opportunity for all families to register for camp.

Summer Day Camp Brochures will be available at community centers and pools, as well as viewable in our online registration system, on March 24, 2020.

Click here for more information about Seattle Parks and Recreation camps.

Due to the inclement weather, many Seattle Parks and Recreation programs are impacted today (Wednesday, Jan. 15). 

SPR FACILITIES

• We will attempt to open all community centers (except for Bitter Lake Community Center, which is operating as an emergency shelter), teen life centers, and environmental centers from 11am-3pm as warming centers and for drop-in recreation activity only. Please call facilities before heading down and check back here for updates.
• We will attempt to open all pools from 12-3pm for drop-in swim only.
• Small Craft Centers will be closed.
• Amy Yee Tennis Center is open.
• Golf:
  • Interbay: Course open, no snow, full Operation
  • Jackson: Course closed, winter recreation allowed, range and clubhouse normal hours.
  • Jefferson: Course closed, no winter recreation, range and clubhouse normal hours.
  • West Seattle: Course closed, no winter recreation, clubhouse open until noon

SPR PROGRAMS

• ALL programs are CANCELLED at our community centers, pools, small craft centers, teen life centers, environmental centers. This includes School Age Care, preschool, Late Night Recreation Programs, Lifelong Recreation, Specialized Programs, athletics, and all recreation programs.
• ALL rentals are CANCELLED.

General Seatttle Parks and Recreation Snow Procedures Information: Please click here for general information on Seattle Parks and Recreation’s snow procedures.

Citywide winter weather response: Please click here for information from the City of Seattle and the Seattle Department of Transportation about the City’s Winter Weather Response.

Seattle Parks and Recreation will be operating Bitter Lake Community Center (13035 Linden Ave. N) as a warming and emergency overnight shelter for families with children, and people living in vehicles. Single adults and couples are welcome at this facility as well. This shelter will operate 24 hours a day beginning tonight. The shelter has an occupancy of 70 beds. Referral forms are not required, and limited services will be provided.

All regular Bitter Lake Community Center programs and activities, including preschool programs, are cancelled while the shelter operates.

For more information on severe weather shelters operating in Seattle, please visit: https://www.seattle.gov/humanservices.

Freezing temperatures put our neighbors living unsheltered at even greater risk, so please help the City get them into safer, warmer places. The City and its regional partners are working 24/7 to help bring people into warmer, safer places. If you are concerned about an individual living unsheltered, or in need, call 2-1-1, a resource line that can help connect an individual to resources. When the 2-1-1 line isn’t open, the 24-hour Crisis Line 866-427-4747 can provide information that the City provides on warming shelters, similar to how they do for sheltering information for people experiencing homelessness. If it is an emergency, contact Seattle Police by calling 9-1-1. SPD has transport vans to take people to warming centers and shelters.

Due to the inclement weather, some Seattle Parks and Recreation programs are impacted today (Tuesday, Jan. 14).

FACILITIES:

All recreation evening programs cancelled and recreation facilities closed after 6 p.m. today: Due to freezing temperatures, icy road conditions, and the forecast for additional snow this evening, Seattle Parks and Recreation is cancelling all recreation evening programs after 6 p.m. today (Jan. 14) at all recreation facilities (including community centers, pools, environmental learning centers, and teen centers). All recreation facilities will be closed after 6 p.m. today for the safety of community members and staff. We will assess the weather in the morning and make a determination on tomorrow’s conditions based on our Snow Procedures. Please check our blog for regular updates: https://parkways.seattle.gov/

• Amy Yee Tennis Center will close early at 8 p.m.
• All parks are open today.
• Meadowbrook Teen Life Center will be closed today.
• West Seattle Golf Course will be closing the clubhouse at noon, but the other three golf courses will remain open for driving range activities only.
• Jackson and Interbay golf courses are open for winter recreation activities (sledding and snow play). West Seattle and Jefferson courses do not have enough snow to allow it.
• All athletic fields are closed today for organized games/activities. Please call the Field Rainout/Snow hotline for updates:
  (206) 233-0055

PROGRAMS:

All Seattle Parks and Recreation evening programs cancelled and recreation facilities closed after 6 p.m. today: Due to freezing temperatures, icy road conditions, and the forecast for additional snow this evening, Seattle Parks and Recreation is cancelling all evening programs after 6 p.m. today (Jan. 14) at all recreation facilities, including at community centers and pools. All recreation facilities will be closed after 6 p.m. today for the safety of community members and staff. We will assess the weather in the morning and make a determination on tomorrow’s conditions based on our Snow Procedures. Please check our blog for regular updates: https://parkways.seattle.gov/

• All Specialized Programs are CANCELLED.
• All Lifelong Recreation Programs are CANCELLED.
• All Before School Programs are CANCELLED.
• All Morning Preschool Programs are CANCELLED.
• PM Preschool and School Age Care programs are scheduled to operate as normal.
• All-Day Preschool has a late start (start time TBD).
• All Early Morning Lap Swims are CANCELLED.
• All morning swim lessons are CANCELLED.
• All other programs will take place as scheduled, unless individual facilities decide to cancel and notify participants.
• No women’s Zumba tonight at Van Asselt Community Center.

General Seatttle Parks and Recreation Snow Procedures Information: Please click here for general information on Seattle Parks and Recreation’s snow procedures.

Citywide winter weather response: Please click here for information from the City of Seattle and the Seattle Department of Transportation about the City’s Winter Weather Response.

Please participate in the online survey

As one of the many community input options for the new plaza park in South Park, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to participate in a survey. Please participate in this short survey and provide input for the design team:

• English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SouthParkPlaza
• Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SpanishSouthPark

Thank you in advance for participating and thank you to all the community members who participated in the Open House last November.  SPR is working with the design team to develop site options. These site options will be presented to the community at a meeting in late February.  A preferred community-informed design will be presented at a third and final community meeting in the spring of 2020.

In 2014, as part of a community-initiated acquisition, SPR purchased the .83-acre site at 8456 Dallas Ave. S, just west of the South Park Bridge to provide the community more open space. SPR is ready to move this new park and plaza project forward and we are excited to work with the South Park neighborhood to develop a design for the community gathering space.

This project was made possible by the voter-approved Seattle Park District, which provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for SPR, including maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.

For more information about the project please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/south-park-plaza-landbanked-site-park-development.

For additional questions or if you need an interpreter or accommodations please contact Ed Pottharst at ed.pottharst@seattle.gov or 206-386-4232.

Due to the inclement weather, some Seattle Parks and Recreation programs are impacted today (Monday, Jan. 13).

FACILITIES:

• All facilities will operate normal operating hours today (some programs and fields will be impacted, see below).

PROGRAMS:

• All Lifelong Recreation Programs are CANCELLED
• All Before School Programs are CANCELLED
• All Morning Preschool Programs are CANCELLED
• All Early Morning Lap Swims are CANCELLED
• All morning swimming lessons CANCELLED
• All Early Morning High School Swim Team practices CANCELLED
• Queen Anne Pool Morning Swim Lesson CANCELLED
• All Early Morning Rowing & Sailing programs CANCELLED
• Community Learning Centers afterschool program (CLC’s) CANCELLED
• Special Populations Day Programs CANCELLED
• PM Preschool and School Age Care programs operate as normal.
• All-Day Preschool has a late start (start time two hours late).
• All other programs will take place as scheduled, unless individual programs cannot be staffed and we will notify participants.

FIELDS:

Some fields are closed today for organized games/activities due to snow and/or ice on the fields. Call the Field Rainout/Snow Hotline at 206-233-0055 for updates. Currently, the following fields are closed: Bobby Morris Playfield (Cal Anderson Park) 1, 2; Interbay Stadium; Lower Woodland Playfield 2,7; Loyal Heights Playfield 1,2; Magnuson 5,6,7; Miller Playfield 1,2; Queen Anne Bowl Playfield; Washington Park Playfield 1, 2

*On Monday’s our SW Teen Life Center, Meadowbrook Teen Life Center, Camp Long Outdoor Education Center, and Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center are closed. 

General Seatttle Parks and Recreation Snow Procedures Information: Please click here for general information on Seattle Parks and Recreation’s snow procedures.

Citywide winter weather response: Please click here for information from the City of Seattle and the Seattle Department of Transportation about the City’s Winter Weather Response.

Beginning this year, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is making all recreational and fitness swims (lap swim, family swim, public swim, etc.) free for anyone who qualifies for an SPR scholarship. Previously, scholarships only provided a fee reduction for swimming instead of the current full fee waiver. 

Scholarships are based on income and family size, and are available to anyone who qualifies, including seniors and people with disabilities. For example,a family of 4 that makes less than $71,199  per year is eligible.

Interested in applying for a scholarship? You can apply for a scholarship by filling out an application form, available at any of our community centers or pool locations, or by visiting https://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/scholarships-and-financial-aid. Application forms must be turned in to Seattle Parks and Recreation staff at a local community center or pool location. Income and dependency documentation are required; please bring your 2019 tax forms or other documentation, as listed on the application, with you. Approval can take up to several weeks. Click here to locate the nearest community center, or here to locate the nearest pool facility.

Spanish

Novedad del 2020: la natación es gratuita para los becarios.

Todos los tipos de natación relacionados con la recreación o la actividad física (natación libre, natación en familia, natación pública, etc.) son gratuitos para cualquier persona que cumpla los requisitos a fin de obtener una beca de Parques y Recreación de Seattle (Seattle Parks and Recreation). Las becas se otorgan en función de los ingresos y la cantidad de integrantes de la familia. Por ejemplo, una familia de 4 personas que gana menos de $71,199 por año cumple los requisitos. ¿Le interesa solicitar una beca? Pregunte al personal de la recepción de la piscina local o el centro comunitario para obtener información o visite:
– http://bit.ly/ScholarshipSPR
– http://bit.ly/ApplicationInstSpanish
– http://bit.ly/AppSpanish

Traditional Chinese

2020 年的新事項：獲得獎學金資格的人可以免費游泳。

所有獲得西雅圖公園和休閒 (Seattle Parks and Recreation) 獎學金資格的人均可免費參加所有娛樂和健身游泳活動（泳道游泳、家庭游泳、公共游泳等）。獎學金資格取決於收入和家庭規模。例如，一個四口之家如果年收入低於 71,199 美元，則符合資格。有興趣申請獎學金嗎？請詢問您當地泳池或社區中心的前檯工作人員以獲取資訊，或造訪：
– http://bit.ly/ScholarshipSPR
– http://bit.ly/ApplicationInstChinese
– http://bit.ly/AppChinese

Vietnamese

Tin mới năm 2020: Miễn phí bơi cho người đủ tiêu chuẩn nhận hỗ trợ học phí.

Chúng tôi sẽ miễn phí tất cả các hoạt động bơi giải trí và thể dục (bơi thể thao, bơi gia đình, bơi công cộng, v.v.) cho bất kỳ người nào đủ tiêu chuẩn nhận hỗ trợ học phí của Cơ Quan Quản Lý Công Viên và Giải Trí Seattle (Seattle Parks and Recreation). Khoản hỗ trợ học phí tính căn cứ theo thu nhập và quy mô gia đình. Ví dụ: một gia đình 4 người có thu nhập dưới $71.199 mỗi năm là đủ điều kiện. Quý vị muốn đăng ký xin hỗ trợ học phí? Vui lòng hỏi nhân viên lễ tân tại bể bơi địa phương hoặc trung tâm cộng đồng của quý vị để biết thông tin hoặc truy cập:
– http://bit.ly/ScholarshipSPR
– http://bit.ly/AppIlicationInstVietnamese
– http://bit.ly/AppVietnamese

Somali

Cusub 2020: Dabaashu waa u bilaash dadka heley deeqda waxbarashada.

Dhamaan hawlaha madadaalada iyo dabaasha jimicsiga (wareegyada dabaasha, dabaasha qoyska, dabaashada shacabka, iwm) waa u bilaash qof kasta oo u qalma Beeraha Nashada Seattle iyo Madaadada (Seattle Parks and Recreation) deeqdooda waxbarashada. Deeqaha waxbarashadu waxay ku salaysan yihiin dakhliga iyo cabirka qoyska. Tusaale ahaan, qoyska 4 ah ee hela wax ka yar $71,199 sanadkii ayaa u qalma. Ma doonaysaa inaad dalbato deeq waxbarasho? Fadlan waxaad waydiisaa shaqaalaha miiska hore ee barkada dabaashaada deegaanka ama xarunta bulshada wixii macluumaadka ah, ama booqo:
– http://bit.ly/ScholarshipSPR
– http://bit.ly/ApplicationInstSomali
– http://bit.ly/AppSomali

On November 25, 2019, the City Council approved the Mayor’s 2020-2021 Budget. Some fees for Seattle Parks and Recreation athletic fields, pools and event facilities have changed.

Please click here for details on Seattle Parks and Recreation’s 2020 Fees and Charges.

SNOW IMPACTS FOR WEDNESDAY JANUARY 15, 2020: PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Seattle Parks and Recreation staff have been busy preparing for the potential for snowfall. In the event of severe weather, we attempt to open facilities to provide a safe and warm space for community members to gather, connect with others, and participate in drop-in recreation activities.

Many of our community centers, teen life centers, pools, and environmental learning centers operate on a reduced schedule during severe weather events with limited programming. Community members are encouraged to stop by open facilities to take part in a variety of drop-in recreation activities, such as basketball, fitness rooms, tot activities in tot rooms and gyms, and more. Please call individual facilities for information on what’s available.

During snow events, our nearly 500 parks remain open, unless otherwise indicated. If there is enough snow cover, we also open our four golf courses for snow play and sledding, and most athletic fields will also be opened for non-motorized winter recreation. We encourage all visitors to use caution in our outdoor spaces. Snow and ice can cause tree branches to snap; please stay out from under trees and avoid forested parks during a snow event. 

Please see below for Seattle Parks and Recreation snow procedures for facilities and programs, and please check our Parks and Recreation website and or Parkways Blog for updates about program cancellations and facility closures. You can also find regular updates on our Twitter page.

Citywide winter weather response: Please click here for information from the City of Seattle and the Seattle Department of Transportation about the City’s Winter Weather Response.

IF SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED:

SPR FACILITIES

• We will attempt to open all community centers, teen life centers, and environmental centers from 11am-3pm as warming centers and for drop-in recreation activity only.
• We will attempt to open all pools from 12-3pm for drop-in swim only.
• Small Craft Centers will be closed.
• In the case staff cannot get in to open a facility, we will make updates on the website and social media listed below under General Updates and on the individual Facility’s outgoing voicemail message.

SPR PROGRAMS

• ALL programs are CANCELLED at our community centers, pools, small craft centers, teen life centers, environmental centers. This includes School Age Care, preschool, Late Night Recreation Programs, lifelong recreation, specialized programs, athletics, and all recreation programs.
• ALL rentals are CANCELLED.

IF SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPEN LATE:

SPR FACILITIES

• All facilities will attempt to operate normal operating hours

SPR PROGRAMS

• ALL Lifelong Recreation Programs are CANCELLED.
• All Before School Programs are CANCELLED.
• All Morning Preschool Programs are CANCELLED.
• PM Preschool and School Age Care programs operate as normal.
• All-Day Preschool has a late start (start time TBD).
• All Early Morning Lap Swims are CANCELLED.
• All morning swim lessons are CANCELLED.
• All other programs will take place as scheduled, unless individual facilities decide to cancel and notify participants.

IF SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE RELEASED EARLY:

SPR FACILITIES

• The Superintendent may determine that facilities will close early in order for staff to get home safely.

SPR PROGRAMS

• Afternoon preschool programs School Age Care programs may be cancelled or have early pick up.
• Other recreation programs may be cancelled if inclement weather is predicted.

FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER ON THE WEEKEND:

• Please refer to the resources listed below for updates on programs and facilities.

Resources for More Information and Updates:

• Child Care Hotline (School Age Care and Preschool): (206) 684-4203
• Youth Athletics:  http://www.teamsideline.com/seattle
• Questions about potential refunds, reductions, and waivers in the event of severe weather? Please see here for details on our policies, or contact your local community center/pool.  

General Updates:

• Seattle Parks and Recreation Website: www.seattle.gov/parks
• Seattle Parks and Recreation Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SeattleParksandRecreation/
• Seattle Parks and Recreation on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeattleParks
• Public Service Announcements made by the media about Seattle Public Schools or Seattle Parks and Recreation closures
• Facility Voicemails:  Please call your community center or pool for updates on their outgoing voicemail message
• Facility Facebook Pages