Seattle Parks and Recreation is seeking individuals, groups, or organizations to provide culturally relevant, safe, active and reliable programs to the community through the Summer Playground Program. The focus of the Summer Playground Program is to provide free healthy meals, as well as fun, innovative and active programs at park sites across Seattle that will have a positive impact on the children, families, and communities of Seattle. The Summer Playground Program will run from July 6 to August 21, 2020.

The Summer Playground Expanded Recreation Program Request for Proposals (RFP) is targeted to the following SPR locations: Beacon Hill Playground, Brighton Playfield, Judkins Park and Playfield, Madrona Playground, Othello Playground, Pratt Park, Powell Barnett Park, Lakewood Playground, E.C. Hughes Playground, Highland Park, Roxhill Park, Georgetown Playfield, Little Brook Park, and Greenwood Park.

Summer Playground Expanded Recreation RFP applications can be completed and submitted at seattlepark.gosmart.org.  Applications are due by Tuesday, March 31, 2020 by 11:59 p.m.

For more details, eligibility, and application criteria and timeline, please see the funds guidelines  or contact Connor Durham, Seattle Parks and Recreation, at connor.durham@seattle.gov or 206-615-0303.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to participate in the design for the relocation and renovation of the play area at Hiawatha Playfield. Please join the design team at the Hiawatha Community Center from either 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Tot Gym or from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for an evening meeting. Both will be held at Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California Ave. SW. on Thursday, February 27, 2020.

This is an opportunity for the community to learn about the proposal to demolish and rebuild the play area at Hiawatha Playfield and review design options. Additionally, the community will be asked to participate in a quick survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HiawathaPlayArea2 to help inform the design. The survey will open after the meetings on February 27. Community involvement is essential in developing this new play area and we hope to hear from you.

The goal of this project is to transfer the location of the play area from the north end of the park to the grass area just south of the wading pool. The project includes new play equipment and restoration of the old play area site. The new location will improve visibility and access for all.

We anticipate holding a final Open House in the late spring to present the schematic design.

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 meeting notification translations, please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/hiawatha-play-area-relocation

For questions about the project or if you need an interpreter or accommodations, please contact Ed Pottharst at Ed.pottharst@seattle.gov or 206-386-4232.

Thank you to the Hiawatha Community Center and the Associated Recreation Council (ARC) for their partnership with the community engagement for this project.

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is currently working on developing the Seattle Park District Financial Plan, which will lay out the funding for the next six years of the Seattle Park District.

Community members are encouraged to learn more and join the discussion in building the next six-year budget by attending a public meeting.

Public Meetings:

• Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW), Monday, March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Lake City Community Center (12531 28th Ave. NE), Thursday, March 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Van Asselt Community Center (2820 S Myrtle St.), Saturday, March 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

In 2014, Seattle voters approved the 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.

The current Seattle Park District funding cycle runs from 2015-2020. The next Seattle Park District Financial Plan will run from 2021-2026 and will be informed by a variety of sources, including our 2019 strategic planning process (in which we talked to over 10,000 community members), public input, and other known parks and recreation system needs.

For more information and additional ways to join the discussion, visit https://www.seattle.gov/seattle-park-district/park-district-planning

Seattle Parks and Recreation is now accepting applications for volunteers in the Seattle Urban Nature Guide program. Seattle Urban Nature Guides (SUN Guides) enhance, promote and foster appreciation of nature by connecting families and students with their Seattle parklands, and providing educational opportunities for all.

As a SUN Guide, you will:

• Develop Job Skills such as public speaking, education techniques and group engagement
• Enjoy a community of fellow volunteers and city staff
• Receive FREE Training on Pacific Northwest flora and fauna, habitats, environmental education techniques to connect with a wide variety of audiences and equity concepts
• Lead hands on learning experiences in a variety of settings from playgrounds to beaches
• Familiarize yourself with Seattle’s destination Parks while helping others do the same 

To Apply:

Review the position and description and apply here. Applications are due by Thursday, March 21st. You can also read more about the SUN Guides program as well as other Seattle Parks and Recreation volunteer opportunities here.

Click HERE for updated details on the April 4, 2020 Job Fair for LGBTQ youth and allies.

Seattle Parks and Recreation will host a free job fair for LGBTQ+ youth and allies on Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Miller Community Center, located at 330 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112.

There will be many opportunities for high school age (13-19) and young adults (19-24) featuring dozens of employers and organizations with lots of jobs, stipend opportunities, and internships.

Attendees should come prepared to spend some time visiting the various booths and, if possible, bring copies of their resume or work and volunteer experience.

The Youth Job Fair for LGBTQ+ and Allies is a collaborative effort led by the Youth Employment and Service Learning Unit of Seattle Parks and Recreation. For more information contact Kristy Darcy at Kristy.Darcy@seattle.gov or 206.684.4575.

Spring Applications Due March 19

As a SUNGuide you will:

Develop Job Skills in public speaking, education techniques and group engagement.

Enjoy a community of volunteers and city staff.

Receive FREE Training on Pacific Northwest flora and fauna, habitats, environmental education techniques to connect with a wide variety of audiences and equity concepts.

Lead interactive learning experiences in a variety of settings from playgrounds to beaches.

Familiarize yourself with Seattle’s destination parks while helping others do the same.

Full description, training schedule and applications are available here.

Join us at noon on Sunday, March 1 as the Seattle Japanese Garden celebrates First Viewing, a re-opening event welcoming the general public inside the gates for the first time in 2020.

Prior to the gates opening to the public at noon, the Seattle Japanese Garden will hold a special Shinto Blessing ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m. (tickets to this ceremony are currently sold out).

Trained guides will be available to give complimentary tours of the Seattle Japanese Garden, deepening the experience of strolling the garden by sharing insights on the garden’s history, design, and spiritual principles. The 45-minute tours begin at the ticket booth starting at 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The Tateuchi Community Room will also have its doors open to the public, where visitors can enjoy a complimentary cup of tea.  

Admission is $8 adults; $6 members; $4 youth (ages 6-17), students with ID, and seniors 65+. Children 5 and under are free.  

Seattle Japanese Garden is located at 1075 Lake Washington Blvd., Seattle. More event details and photographs from past events are available at www.seattlejapanesegarden.org.  

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) invites the community to provide final input for the Maple Wood Playfield and Play Area renovation project. Please take this short survey here.  The survey will close February 28, 2020.

The Maple Wood Playfield and Play Area is located at 4801 Corson Ave. S on the corner of Corson Ave. S and S Angeline St., just north of Maple Elementary School. The overarching objective for this renovation project is to update and improve the existing athletic field and play areas, and address barriers to accessibility while encouraging a cohesive, holistic design. The improvements will benefit the surrounding community and various city‐wide recreational sports leagues.

Thank you to everyone who attended the final Open House on February 12, 2020 and reviewed the preferred design developed with your input by PLACE Landscape Architecture.

This park project is 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 please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/maple-wood-playfield-renovation-projects or contact Libby Hudson at Libby.hudson@seattle.gov or 206-256-5988.