Seattle Parks and Recreation Will Launch Seven Teen Resource Hubs to Support Students During Virtual Learning

Mayor Jenny A. Durkan today announced that the City of Seattle will provide child care for 550 children at 19 sites through Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR). The City-supported child care will provide full-day care to elementary-age kids and will support students’ virtual learning. In addition, SPR is launching seven Teen Resource Hubs across the city, and these will provide virtual learning supports, internet access, connections with caring adults, and referrals to basic needs and mental health resources. The City-sponsored child care and resource hubs are meant to supplement Seattle Public Schools (SPS) school year preparations and will ensure students are best-served in a virtual learning environment.

“Students, families, and educators are all gearing up to go back to school. This time of year looks significantly different for our Seattle families than years past, and it’s required all of us to figure out how we’re best serving students and families in a virtual learning environment,” said Mayor Durkan. “We know that lack of access to child care is a huge issue for families, both in Seattle and nationally. Accessible and safe child care is a crucial element to our City’s recovery and the long-term health and success of our kids. The City is grateful to Seattle Public Schools for their ongoing partnership as we navigate the unprecedented remote learning environment.”

Registration is open for City child care and scholarships are available to those who qualify (up to 90 percent of the monthly rate could be covered for families). Seattle Parks and Recreation targeted early outreach to families qualifying for scholarship. Historically, families that qualify for scholarships register later and closer to the program start date. As of Monday, August 31, 51 percent of those registered have received scholarships. Seattle Public Schools students can receive computers/tablets provided through the school district. A full list of SPR child care locations is available here.

Families can register for full or partial week care child care:

• Online – www.seattle.gov/parks click on “Sign Up for Classes, Activities & More” and then under Activities click “licensed child care”
• Contact preferred child care location
• Contact the Business Service Center at 206-684-5177

WiFi will be available at all sites, and the program will support the virtual learning time and equipment that Seattle Public Schools will provide. The program begins Tuesday, September 8, 2020 will run 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, the program will follow current public health guidelines which include: daily wellness/temperature checks upon entry, regular cleaning and sanitation, clear policies about any illnesses, and the requirement of mask wearing by both staff and children.

In addition, the Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL)’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) has capacity to serve approximately 100 new income-eligible families with parents who are working or attending school. CCAP vouchers pay between 25-70 percent of child care costs for families with children younger than 13 years of age. Currently, 204 licensed child care providers in Seattle accept CCAP vouchers. DEEL is supporting CCAP providers with face covering deliveries and connections to pandemic relief resources as available. Families can begin the CCAP registration process here.

DEEL’s Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) is also accepting new participants. This school year, SPP offers flexible programming models for three-and four-year-olds across 26 providers to meet families’ needs. Parents can choose for their child to attend SPP in-person, participate from home through remote family-directed preschool, or a combination of the two. SPP tuition is calculated on a sliding scale, and will be free this school year for remote learning participants. Families can learn more about SPP here.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is providing seven Teen Resource Hubs at Southwest Teen Life Center, Miller Community Center, Garfield Teen Life Center, Meadowbrook Teen Life Center, Magnuson Community Center, Bitterlake Community Center, and South Lake High School. These hubs will support up to 200 students daily. The hubs will provide those furthest away from educational justice with a free opportunity for support with Seattle Public Schools virtual learning, provide in-person support for connectivity, and access to recreational, enrichment, and mentoring programs. The program begins September 8 and will run Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided daily. Participants need to register for the free program online. Registration will open by September 2, visit www.seattle.gov/parks to learn more.

“We are proud that we can support our communities and our schools in providing full day child care this school year from our community centers. Our aim is to provide this care to those who need it most in hopes that we may mitigate any widening of the opportunity gap that has resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary switch to virtual learning,” said Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jesús Aguirre, “It is through our strong partnership with the Associated Recreation Council (ARC) that we are able to provide a program that can both provide safe and engaging care, but to also do it in a way that compliments the virtual learning that students will be doing each day.”

The following City departments are also offering back to school programming:

Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL)

Supplemental Support for Schools and Community Partners: In August, DEEL announced investments in 30 schools and 10 community based organizations to provide K-12 educational supports for students furthest from educational justice. These investments offer supplemental support for SPS students through expanded learning, academic support, and college and career readiness experiences. See the full press release to learn more.

School Based Health Centers: In partnership with Public Health—Seattle & King County and health care providers, 28 school based health centers (SBHCs) will be provide in-person and virtual comprehensive medical and mental health care services to SPS students. SPS students can receive care at any SBHC, not just the center at the school they attend. In addition to routine vaccination, the school health centers will offer flu shots as they become available this fall. SBHCs have introduced new protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as staggered appointment times and limiting the number of people who enter the facility. Two new SBHCs will be opening this school year, at Lowell Elementary and at Nova High School in Seattle. For updates on SBHC services available at participating schools, visit SPS’ website here. 

Housing Supports: In partnership with the YWCA, SPS students experiencing homelessness or housing instability may be eligible to receive housing support such as rent assistance, permanent housing, or referrals to additional resources. Families in need of housing support should contact the Family Support Specialist for their school or call the YWCA directly at 206-209-5665. 

Office of Arts and Culture (ARTS)

The Creative Advantage has worked with the Seattle Art Museum to develop twice-monthly virtual convenings of educators, certified arts teachers, and community arts partners focused on skill building, community care, and support. The first convening occurred on Monday, August 24. Last Spring, ARTS created a series of online arts learning videos to support students, teachers, and families. ARTS created 125 arts lessons with 30 teaching artists, and continue to upload new content weekly. Check it out!

Office of Economic Development (OED)

OED invests in the Youth Maritime Collaborative, which places 20 youth of color in maritime internships; that program is ongoing. In addition, OED contracts with the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle to train 15 Seattle young people to create websites for 15 Black-owned small businesses. Participating young people learn entrepreneurship, website design, and graphic design. Find more information here.

Office of Labor Standards (OLS)

The Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance was recently amended requiring employers to provide employees who work in Seattle with paid leave when their family member’s school or place of care has been closed. Find more information here.

Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT)

SDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program will continue its pedestrian and bicycle safety education program at public schools, delivering content online to students. SDOT is closely tracking school plans for reopening, and will make decisions about flashing beacons and photo enforcement based on which school buildings, if any, have active school use.

The Safe Routes to School Mini Grants are currently open on a continuous basis so that you can apply at any time. This grant funds schools, PTAs, and community groups to encourage safe walking and biking to school, and this year we encourage applications for projects that improve school and neighborhood safety, such as pedestrian crossing flags.

ORCA Opportunity applications for income-eligible middle school students opened on August 24. Applications are available at: https://www.seattle.gov/transit/orca-opportunity/youth. Households can also email orcaopportunity@seattle.gov or call/text (206) 256-6722 to request a paper application. All SPS high school students are eligible for a free ORCA card. Households should contact their students’ school for information about how to get a card.

Seattle Fire Department (SFD)

Seattle Fire is pleased to offer online fire safety booklets for students in kindergarten through fifth grade! Families can also join SFD on Saturday, Sept 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for virtual Fire Day on the department’s Facebook page. Activities include Story Time with Chief Scoggins, Ask the Fire Chief, a Fire Dog Demo and A Day in the Life of Firefighters in English and Spanish. Access the booklets and Fire Day information on http://www.seattle.gov/fire.

The Seattle Public Library (SPL)

Students, teachers and select staff for grades K-12 at Seattle Public Schools have immediate access to The Seattle Public Library’s collection of digital books and online resources through the Library Link program. They do not need a Library card; instead, they use their student or staff ID number to get access. Students, staff and families can learn more at spl.org/librarylink.

Student Success remote learning resources: The Library has a new remote learning web page that curates dozens of remote-learning resources on the Student Success section of SPL’s website, for pre-K through high school students and educators, available through the Library as well as other organizations.

Wi-Fi hot spots and other learning support to Seattle World School (SWS): SPL partnered with in-house community provider, Kandelia (formerly known as Vietnamese Friendship Association) to distribute hotspots and learning resources to SWS students and families most impacted by COVID-19 related closures. Learning kits include hotspots, books, learning supplies and information regarding library programs and services for the entire family.

Back to school book and learning supply book distribution: With Seattle Housing Authority to NewHolly, High Point, Gardner House.

Teen Service Learning at The Seattle Public Library: This is a system-wide program that develops college and career skills through project based, youth led service learning projects. SPL is adapting this program virtually.

Curbside Pickup at The Seattle Public Library: The Library has many physical resources in its collection of over 2 million items to support students and learning. All residents can place holds on the Library’s collection of books, CDs, DVDs and other materials, and pickup them up at one of seven libraries offering Curbside Pickup Service. Find out more on the Library’s Road to Reopening page.

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to participate in the second of three online discussions for 2020 Cal Anderson Park, a project to engage the public on how changing assumptions and language can affect the design of park spaces and create a sense of belonging for everyone. Please join us on-line for a discussion about the future of Cal Anderson Park on Wednesday, September 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at https://dlrgroup.zoom.us/j/96261663627 or Thursday, September 10, from noon to 1:30 p.m. at https://dlrgroup.zoom.us/j/95413853729. 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 forinterventions to Cal Anderson Park. On September 9^th and 10^th, we will discuss survey results, site analysis, programming opportunities, as well as new ideas and community feedback. Through this continued public process, we will identify short term action items and long-term strategies to enhance the sense of belonging in the park. Additional opportunities to support the 2020 Cal Anderson Park conversation will include surveys, interviews, and additional public meetings in October.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the August online meetings. Recordings of the August meetings and additional information are available for review here https://2020calandersonpark.com/. For additional questions about project or to request meeting accommodations or interpretation please contact 2020CalAnderson@seattle.gov.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) awarded the construction contract to perform an emergency replacement of the main electrical service at Seward Park to KC Equipment, LLC. KC Equipment has begun construction and work closes multiple areas throughout the park Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Construction is anticipated to take 8 to 10 months to complete, weather dependent. 

The work began at the southeast parking lot near the play area. Construction will progress in phases from the entry loop near the play area and Audubon building, moving along the roadway into the park. Signs indicate the area closed and pedestrian detours are posted. SPR and KC Equipment rely on the patience and cooperation of all park users as construction work progresses through Seward Park. We ask park users to follow construction notifications and be prepared for detours around work areas.

The primary electrical service to Seward Park is a buried cable that powers the restrooms, clay studio, park lights, Seward Park Audubon Center and other park amenities. This cable has repeatedly failed, forcing the use of generators to maintain service for park patrons. Seattle City Light is unable to make further repairs.

SPR is working with Seattle City Light to install a new “raceway” system. The new service will be located in underground conduit and electrical vaults allowing direct access for future maintenance and replacement. Construction work will take place along the main roads, parking areas, near the amphitheater and south restroom,  and a portion of the east walking path at Seward Park.

For more information please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/seward-park-electrical-system-replacement or contact Jessica Michalak at Jessica.michalak@seattle.gov.

The City’s Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects announced today that the removal of Pier 58, known as Waterfront Park, will begin within 1-2 weeks in response to recent movement and continued deterioration of the structure. Pier 58 removal is expected to be completed by early 2021.

The City has hired Orion Marine Contractors, Inc for $4.3 million to perform the emergency work; emergency work is exempt from competitive bidding under the State law (RCW 39.04.280). Orion Marine Contractors, Inc is a maritime contractor with a workforce based in their Tacoma, WA regional office. They are currently working on SDOT’s Fairview Ave N Bridge Replacement and with Port of Seattle on the Terminal 5 Modernization Project

The City has planned for years to remove the existing Pier 58 and replace it with a new public park pier including a playground, public plaza and landscaping. Replacing Pier 58 has been part of the City’s Waterfront Program since 2013. The Pier 58 project is fully funded, and construction was planned to begin in 2022. A portion of those funds will be used for pier removal.

The City’s structural engineer for the removal of the pier, Seattle Structural, inspected the deteriorating pier after Seattle Parks and Recreation closed it to the public on August 6, 2020. Their engineering assessment recommended that the entire pier be removed within 90 days.

“Working closely with Seattle Parks and Recreation, we’ve moved swiftly since this issue was identified earlier this month,” said Marshall Foster, Director of Seattle’s Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects. “Public safety is always our top priority. We’re committed to removing the deteriorated pier quickly, clearing the way for the new park to take shape.”

The City will be removing as much of the pier deck, piles and structures as necessary to ensure the site is safe. Removal of the pier will largely occur from the waterside, with barges positioned west of the structure. Because of the waterside access, impacts to nearby businesses and the public are expected to be limited. The work will include salvaging furniture, art and the existing fountain, removing concrete structures, timber decking and framing, and the extraction of piles supporting the structure. The Fitzgerald Fountain will be salvaged and reincorporated into the new Pier 58.

The City is working to quickly complete the necessary environmental permits and authorizations for the pier removal.

Design of the Pier 58 replacement is currently underway. The new pier will improve access, create an inviting space for families, provide open views to Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains, and include a playground. It will also improve salmon habitat.

Seattle Parks and Recreation is performing grounds maintenance on the north hillside blackberries and eastside trails at Blue Dog Pond Park, 1520 26^th Ave. S.  The maintenance will close the Off-leash Area(OLA) from August 25 and 26, 2020 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The nearest OLA’s are Dr. Jose Rizal Park-1007 12th Ave. S and Genesee Park- 4316 S Genesee St.  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 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.

The first four improvement projects were completed over the last two years at Magnuson Park, Genesee Park, Regrade Park and Woodland 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.

While we cannot meet in person right now, your input is important to us! Seattle Parks and Recreation(SPR), Seattle Department of Neighborhoods and Seattle Sports Complex Foundation invite the community to participate in an online meeting on August 26, 2020 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  to learn about the challenges and opportunities of locating a new racket court at Lowman Beach Park. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/yyo64sf2 or Number 1460081942 Password lowmanbeach  or call in at 1-206-207-1700 Code 146 008 1942. 

At Lowman Beach Park, 7017 Beach Dr. S W. the existing court will be removed as part of the Shoreline Restoration and Seawall Replacement project.  A new racket court will provide recreation experience for all ages and will ADA accessible. 

The community has come together to explore options to install a racket court because the existing one needs to be removed as part of the restoration project. Funding for the planning and design of the racket court is provided by the Department of Neighborhood Matching Fund.

The Lowman Beach Park seawall began to fail in 2015 and needs to be addressed. As visitors to the park have seen, the existing seawall is slowly falling over/sliding towards the water. SPR’s goal is to remove the existing seawall and continue the shoreline restoration work that began when the south half of the seawall failed in the mid-1990s and was removed.

For more information visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/lowman-beach-park or contact Pam Kliment at pamela.kliment@seattle.gov or 206-684-7556.

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 West Arboretum “Tot Lot” play area a Montlake neighborhood play area at E. Lynn and 26^th Ave. E. Please participate in this short survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WArboTotlot  and help shape the future of the play area.

The survey provides an opportunity for community members to provide input on three different play area concepts and tell the 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 and improving access to the play area.

For more information please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/west-arboretum-tot-lot-play-area-renovation or contact Pam Kliment at pam.kliment@seattle.gov or 206-684-7556.

Seattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to participate in 2020 Cal Anderson Park, a project to engage the public on how changing assumptions and language can affect the design of the park space and create a sense of belonging for everyone. Please take this short survey https://bit.ly/2020CalAnderson.

The goal of Seattle Parks and Recreation is to identify short term action items and long-term strategies to build on and sustain the health of the people, the health of the environment and the strong community that supports the park. Additional opportunities to support the 2020 Cal Anderson Park conversation will include interviews and additional public meetings in September and October.

For additional questions about project please contact Andy Sheffer at 2020CalAnderson@seattle.gov or visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/parks/cal-anderson-park.

Participate in the Fabric of the Community

Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Department of Transportation need community input for the final design of the north Rainier landbank park site located just north of the Safeway on S. Charlestown St. between 34th and 35th Ave. S. Neighbors of all ages are encouraged to participate and provide input on textile patterns that are reflective of the Rainier neighborhood.

Please take this short online survey  or visit http://www.bit.ly/northrainierpark  for translated surveys. The goal of this engagement effort is to collect textile/fabric designs to be incorporated into the park and nearby street improvements that represent the diverse cultures and heritages of this neighborhood. If you have a pattern that you would like to submit please provide us a picture of your textile pattern by including it in your survey answers, dropping a sample off at the pop up event on the Aug. 19 or mailing it to Seattle Parks and Recreation, Attn: Mike Schwindeller, 300 Elliot Ave W. Seattle WA 98119. Yours can become an inspiration for the park artwork theme.

In response to feedback from neighbors during the design phase of the park, Seattle Department of Transportation will be constructing two phases of improvements to S Charlestown St. to enhance the street and access to the park. Phase 1 will be completed as soon as fall 2020 and includes painted curb bulbs on the south side of Charleston St. at 34th and 35th Ave. S plus new speed humps on S Charlestown St.  Phase 2 will be constructed with the new park and includes upgraded curb bulbs as well as a new marked crosswalk at either 34th Ave. S or 35th Ave S.

If you are unable to participate online, please join us for an informational and input opportunity event on August 19, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Safeway parking lot at Rainier Square Plaza, 3820 Rainier Ave. S. Please wear a mask and comply with the social distancing markers that will be in place at the event site. If you are feeling sick or have a fever, please stay home. We want everyone to be safe.

SPR began outreach to the community in 2017, and after the 2019 acquisition of the 6,617 square-foot parcel on the southwest corner of the park the park has grown. The new park is now about an acre, creating a significant new neighborhood park consistent with the community’s expressed interests. Park construction will begin in 2021. The park will provide multi-generational activities and incorporate universal accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. A Fitness Zone with exercise equipment for teens and adults is made possible by Kaiser Permanente Washington.

Funding for this park is provided by the Seattle Park District. The Seattle Park District provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding to tackle the $267 million major maintenance backlog for Seattle Parks and Recreation as well as other facilities including the Aquarium and Zoo. The Seattle Park District helps improve and rehabilitate community centers, preserves the urban forest, performs day-to-day maintenance of parks and facilities, provides more recreation opportunities for people from underserved communities, supports programs for people of all ages and abilities, and acquires and develops new park land.

For more information or for translations of the survey, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/north-rainier-landbanked-site-park-development.

For questions about the project or if you need an interpreter or accommodations, please contact Mike Schwindeller, at mike.schwindeller@seattle.gov or 206-615-1165.