Parkways Seattle Parks and Recreation

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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Lake Washington beaches closed May 23-24 for Milfoil treatments

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Seattle Parks and Recreation, with permitting from Washington State Dept of Ecology, will be using aquatic herbicides to systemically control aquatic weeds. The goal is to improve water quality by managing the invasive milfoil at Seattle’s freshwater beaches, swim areas, moorages, and high-use recreation sites.

The first treatment is scheduled to happen Wednesday, May 23. All Lake Washington beaches will be closed May 23.

The treatment map can be viewed at http://arcg.is/014eyP

More information available here.

Permitted use of an aquatic herbicide is endorsed by Washington Department of Ecology as a systemic solution to control specific aquatic weeds that impact recreation and water quality. The permit covers the City owned properties on Lake Washington, Bitter Lake and Ship Canals –Lake Union.

Dive into summer fun!

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Schedules for beaches, pools, wading pools and sprayparks

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has tons of ways for you to get your feet wet this summer! Visit one of our two outdoor pools, eight indoor pools, nine lifeguarded beaches, 22 wading pools or nine sprayparks. Whether you’re looking to dive into the deep end or dip your toes in a wading pool, we’ve got something for you.

 

Two Outdoor Pools

SPR operates two unique outdoor pools for summer fun. Each pool offers swimming lessons, family swimming, water exercise programs and special events. The pools can also be rented for special occasions.

  • Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool, at 2535 32nd Ave. W, 206-684-4708, is open daily May 12 to Sept. 9. Please note the pool will be closed for staff training on July 9 from 1 – 9 p.m. and July 22 from 8 – 11 a.m. Mounger Pool is really two pools in one place. The “big pool” has a 50-foot corkscrew slide and the warmer, shallower “little pool” is great for relaxing and for teaching little ones. Call the pool to reserve it for your own birthday party or other special event.
  • Colman Pool, at 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, 206-684-7494, opens for the regular season on June 18 and will remain open until Sept. 3. The pool will also be open on certain pre-season weekends including May 26-28, June 2-3, June 9-10 and June 16-17; the pool will also be open for a post-season weekend on September 8 and 9. Please note the pool will be closed for the Seattle Open Swim Meets July 12-14 and 20-21. The pool enjoys a spectacular view of Puget Sound from its prime location on the beach in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park. It features heated salt water and the Giant Tube Slide!

 

Eight Indoor Pools

SPR operates eight community indoor pools for year-round fun. Each pool offers swimming lessons, family swimming, water exercise programs, lap swimming and seasonal events. And you can rent the whole pool for your own special event! More information available here: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/pools

 

Beaches

SPR offers safe, lifeguarded beaches at nine sites around the city, and we strongly recommend swimming only where lifeguards are present. Summer Beaches are open daily, weather permitting, from noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. We offer free beginning swim lessons at every beach every week for kids ages 6 and older– just register at your favorite beach. More information available at  http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/swimming-beaches.

Pre-season: These beaches are open from May 26 through June 22 (Weekdays 2 p.m.-7 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m.-7 p.m.)

  • East Green Lake (7201 E Green Lake Dr. N)
  • Madrona (853 Lake Washington Blvd.)

Summer (10 weeks): These beaches are open from June 23 through Sept. 3.

  • Matthews (9300 51st Ave. NE)
  • Madison (1900 43rd Ave. E)
  • Baker (2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S)
  • Seward (5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S)
  • West Green Lake (7312 W Green Lake Dr.)

Summer (9 weeks): These beaches are open from June 23 through Aug. 26.

  • East Green Lake (7201 E Green Lake Dr. N)
  • Magnuson (park entrance at NE 65th and Sand Point Way NE)
  • Madrona (853 Lake Washington Blvd.)
  • Pritchard Beach (8400 55th Ave. S)

 

Wading Pools

Your little ones will love the cool, shallow water and you can cool your own grown-up toes too! We will operate 22 wading pool sites this summer, and there are 9 parks with spray features to enjoy. We open on days with sunny skies and warm temperatures, and we update the hotline, 206-684-7796, by 9 a.m. each day to indicate whether we will fill the pools. Please note that the pools take about an hour to fill and drain each day, as required by law. The wading pool schedule is also available online at: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/spray-parks-and-wading-pools

 *Wading Pool schedules are subject to change. Check back at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/spray-parks-and-wading-pools for details.

Sprayparks

Several Seattle parks have water spray features where you can kick up your heels and cool off. More information: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/spray-parks-and-wading-pools

*Spraypark schedules are subject to change. Stay tuned for information on the opening of the new Yesler Terrace Park Spraypark planned for mid-summer. Check back at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/spray-parks-and-wading-pools for details.

Seattle Parks and Recreation temporarily closes all outdoor aquatic facilities due to weather

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Effective immediately Seattle Parks and Recreation is temporarily closing all public outdoor aquatic facilities today, Aug. 12, 2015, due to unstable weather and reports of thunder and lightning. The closure list includes:

 

Outdoor Pools

  • Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool, at 2535 32nd Ave. W, 206-684-4708
  • Colman Pool, at 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, 206-684-7494

[Read more…]

Join Seattle Parks and Recreation for the Emerald City Open Water Swim Aug. 15

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Emerald City Open Water Swim event posterWhen you live in a city surrounded by water, sometimes you need to think bigger than a swimming pool. Join Seattle Parks for the annual Emerald City Open Water Swim at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Andrew’s Bay in Lake Washington (Seward Park, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S).

There will be a half-mile triangle course and a one-mile triangle course with 30-minute and one-hour time limits. Able swimmers ages 10+ can register for either the half-mile straight course or one-mile triangle course. Participants who want the ultimate challenge can register for both races at a discounted price.

Certified lifeguards will be on duty. Awards will be given to the top overall male and female swimmers, and every registered swimmer will receive a specially designed commemorative swim cap and shirt. [Read more…]

Seattle Parks and Recreation reminds public to recreate safely at beaches and pools

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With high temperatures predicted across Western Washington this summer, Seattle Parks and Recreation wants to remind the public about water safety precautions. During the last four years, there were only five days in the month of June when temperatures reached more than 80 degrees. In 2015, June saw at least 15 days with 80+-degree heat.

Lifeguarded beaches opened in Seattle on Saturday, June 20. Since then lifeguards have performed 16 water rescues. By this same time last summer, only three water rescues were necessary. [Read more…]

Green Lake algae scum with toxins found; only harmful where scum is found

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Toxic algae has been found in accumulated scum along the shores of Green Lake; however the lake is not closed and remains open to many activities.

King County Department of Natural Resources has been conducting weekly testing of water collected at the east and west swimming beaches at Green Lake as well as scum samples submitted through the State Toxic Algae Program. After each test, the information is reviewed by Public Health – Seattle & King County. Tests have revealed that the toxins are currently found in the scummy algae that accumulate and drift in some places along the lakeshore. Due to toxicity levels and algae movement, Public Health does not recommend closure at this time. [Read more…]

Explore the shore with Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalists

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Seattle Aquarium’s beach naturalists lead explorations during low tides.

 

A group of crabs is called a cast, and they communicate by waving their pincers or beating their claws.

A group of local citizens who care about Puget Sound beaches are called Beach Naturalists, and they’ll communicate with you about the wonders of the Pacific Northwest’s marine life if you visit one of our specified beaches this summer.

Every year during low tides, Seattle Aquarium’s Beach Naturalists lead exploration events on regional beaches. The Naturalists teach visitors about how to enjoy beaches while preserving important ecosystems and protecting resident marine life.

The Beach Naturalist events launched May 19 at Richmond Beach, Carkeek Park, Golden Gardens Park, South Alki Beach and Lincoln Park. Events will take place throughout the summer at various locations through Aug. 2.

For a detailed schedule, visit the Beach Naturalist program’s website.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Labor Day and seasonal closures

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Many Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, in observance of Labor Day.

These facilities and services are CLOSED:

  • Community centers
  • Environmental learning centers
  • Indoor swimming pools
  • Green Lake Small Craft Center
  • Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center
  • Amy Yee Tennis Center
  • Beaches (East Green Lake, Madrona, Magnuson, Pritchard closed for the season on
    Aug. 24)

These facilities are OPEN on regular schedules:

  •  Boat ramps
  • Sprayparks (All 10 sprayparks are open; Sept. 1 is the last day of operation for the season)
  • Beaches (Matthews, Madison, Mount Baker, Seward Park, West Green Lake – Sept. 1 is the last day of operation for the season)
  • Wading pools (Green Lake, Lincoln Park, Van Asselt, Volunteer – Sept. 1 is the last day of operation for the season)
  • Mounger Pool (Sept. 7 is the last day of operation for the season)
  • Colman Pool (Closed Sept. 2-5, open Sept. 6-7, then closed for the season)
  • Interbay, Jackson Park, Jefferson Park and West Seattle golf courses

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Beat the heat this summer at beaches, pools, wading pools and spray parks

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When it’s hot this summer, Seattle residents don’t need to go far to cool off. Seattle Parks and Recreation has a long list of places to get cool in the water, including beaches, wading pools and water spray features and outdoor pools.

2 Outdoor Pools
Parks operates two unique outdoor pools for summer fun. Each offers swimming lessons, family swimming, water exercise programs and special events. The pools can also be rented for special occasions.

Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool, at 2535 32nd Ave. W, 206-684-4708, is open daily from May 10 through September 7. Mounger Pool is really two pools in one place. The “big pool” has a 50-foot corkscrew slide and the warmer, shallower “little pool” is great for relaxing and for teaching little ones. Call the pool to reserve it for your own birthday party or other special event.

Colman Pool, at 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, 206-684-7494, opens for the regular season at noon on June 14 and will remain open until Sept. 1. The pool will also be open on certain pre- and post-season weekends including May 24-26, May 31-June 1, June 7-8 and Sept. 6-7. The pool enjoys a spectacular view of Puget Sound from its prime location on the beach in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park. It features heated salt water and the Giant Tube Slide!

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT COLMAN: Colman Pool is closed to the public June 26-28 and July 11-12 for swim meets.

Wading Pools and Water Spray Features
Your little ones will love the cool, shallow water and you can cool your own grown-up toes too. We will operate 15 wading pool sites this summer, and there are 10 parks with spray features to enjoy. Please note that the pools take about an hour to fill and drain each day, as required by law. Some wading pools are open on June 21 and the rest will be open the following week. Closing dates vary from mid-August to Sept. 1. See http://www.seattle.gov/parks/SummerGuide.htm. Wading pools are open on days with sunny skies and warm temperatures. Call the hotline at 206-684-7796 by 9 a.m. each day for find out whether pools will be filled. All spray features are open from May 24 to Sept. 1.

Four-day-a-week Wading Pools (both are open noon to 6:45 p.m.):

  • Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California Ave. SW, Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat
  • Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW, Mon/Tues/Sat/Sun

Three-day-a-week Wading Pools (all are open from noon to 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted):

  • Bitter Lake, 13035 Linden Ave. N, Wed/Thu/Fri
  • Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave., noon to 6:45 p.m., Fri/Sat/Sun
  • Dahl Playfield, 7700 25th Ave. NE, Tues/Wed/Thurs
  • East Queen Anne, 160 Howe St., Sun/Mon/Tue
  • E.C. Hughes, 2805 SW Holden St., Wed/Thu/Fri
  • Soundview, 1590 NW 90th St., Sat/Sun/Mon
  • South Park, 8319 8th Ave. S, Sun/Mon/Tue
  • Wallingford, 4219Wallingford Ave. N, Wed/Thu/Fri

Daily Wading Pools (all are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted):

  • Green Lake, N 73rd and E Green Lake Dr. N
  • Lincoln Park, 8600 Fauntleroy Ave. SW
  • Magnuson, eastern end of NE 65th St., noon to 6:30 p.m.
  • Van Asselt, 2820 S Myrtle St.
  • Volunteer Park, 1400 E Galer St.

Daily Water Spray Parks (all are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.):

  • Ballard Commons, 5701 22nd Ave. NW
  • Beacon Mountain at Jefferson Park, 3901 Beacon Ave. S
  • John C. Little, 6961 37th Ave. S
  • Lower Judkins, 2150 S Norman St.
  • Georgetown Playfield, 750 S Homer St.
  • Highland Park, 1100 SW Cloverdale
  • Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N
  • Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E
  • Northacres Park, 12800 1st Ave. NE
  • Pratt Park, 1800 S Main St.

Beaches open June 21
Parks offers safe, lifeguarded beaches at nine sites around the city, and we strongly recommend swimming only where lifeguards are present. Beaches open June 21, weather permitting, from noon to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Amenities range from swim rafts and low and high diving boards to nearby wading pools, play areas, ballfields and more.

These beaches are open through Sept. 1:

  • Matthews, 9300 51st Ave. NE
  • Madison, 1900 43rd Ave. E
  • Mt. Baker, 2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S
  • Seward, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S
  • West Green Lake, 7312 W Green Lake Dr.

These beaches are open through Aug. 24:

  • East Green Lake, 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N
  • Magnuson, park entrance at NE 65th and Sand Point Way NE
  • Madrona, 853 Lake Washington Blvd.
  • Pritchard Beach, 8400 55th Ave. S

For a more complete and detailed listing of fun summer activities in Seattle parks, please visit the 2014 Summer Guide.

 

Beat the heat at Seattle Parks beaches, pools, wading pools and spray parks

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When it’s hot, Seattle residents don’t need to go far to cool off. Seattle Parks and Recreation has a long list of places to get cool in the water, including beaches, wading pools and water spray features, and outdoor pools.

Beaches

Parks offers safe, lifeguarded beaches at nine sites around the city, and we strongly recommend swimming only where lifeguards are present. Beaches are open daily, weather permitting, from noon to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Amenities range from swim rafts and low and high diving boards to nearby wading pools, play areas, ballfields, and more.

These beaches are open through September 2:

  • Matthews, 9300 51st Ave. NE
  • Madison, 1900 43rd Ave. E
  • Mt. Baker, 2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S
  • Seward, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S
  • West Green Lake, 7312 W Green Lake Dr.

These beaches are open through August 25:

  • East Green Lake, 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N
  • Magnuson, park entrance at NE 65th and Sand Point Way NE
  • Madrona, 853 Lake Washington Blvd.
  • Pritchard Beach, 8400 55th Ave. S

Outdoor Pools

Parks operates two unique outdoor pools for summer fun. Each offers swimming lessons, family swimming, water exercise programs, and special events. And you can rent the whole pool for your own special event!

Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool, at 2535 32nd Ave. W, 206-684-4708, is open daily through September 8. Mounger Pool is really two pools in one place. The “big pool” has a 50-foot corkscrew slide and the warmer, shallower “little pool” is great for relaxing and for teaching little ones. Call the pool to reserve it for your own birthday party or other special event!

Colman Pool, at 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, 206-684-7494, opens at noon each day through September 2, and is also open the weekend of September 7 and 8. The pool enjoys a spectacular view of Puget Sound from its prime location on the beach in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park. It features heated salt water and the Giant Tube Slide!

SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT COLMAN: Colman Pool is closed to the public through Saturday, June 29, for a scheduled swim meet. It will re-open to the public on Sunday, June 30.

Wading Pools and Water Spray Features

Your little ones will love the cool, shallow water and you can cool your own grown-up toes too! We will operate 15 wading pool sites this summer, and there are 10 parks with spray features to enjoy. Please note that the pools take about an hour to fill and drain each day, as required by law.

Four-day-a-week Wading Pools (both are open noon to 6:45 p.m.):

  • Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California Ave. SW, Mon/ Tue/Wed/Sat
  • Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW, Thur/Fri/Sat/Sun

Three-day-a-week Wading Pools (all are open from noon to 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted):

  • Bitter Lake, 13035 Linden Ave. N, Wed/Thu/Fri
  • Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave., noon to 6:45 p.m., Fri/Sat/Sun
  • Dahl Playfield, 7700 25th Ave. NE, Tues/Wed/Thur
  • East Queen Anne, 160 Howe St., Sun/Mon/Tue
  • E.C. Hughes, 2805 SW Holden St., Wed/Thu/Fri
  • Soundview, 1590 NW 90th St., Sat/Sun/Mon
  • South Park, 8319 8th Ave. S, Sun/Mon/Tue
  • Wallingford, 4219Wallingford Ave. N, Wed/Thu/Fri

Daily Wading Pools (all are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted):

  • Green Lake, N 73rd and E Green Lake Dr. N
  • Lincoln Park, 8600 Fauntleroy Ave. SW
  • Magnuson, eastern end of NE 65th St., noon to 6:30 p.m.
  • Van Asselt, 2820 S Myrtle St.
  • Volunteer Park, 1400 E Galer St. 

Daily Water Sprayparks (all are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.):

  • Ballard Commons, 5701 22nd Ave. NW
  • Beacon Mountain at Jefferson Park, 3901 Beacon Ave. S
  • John C. Little, 6961 37th Ave. S
  • Lower Judkins, 2150 S Norman St.
  • Georgetown Playfield, 750 S Homer St.
  • Highland Park, 1100 SW Cloverdale
  • Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N
  • Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E
  • Northacres Park, 12800 1st Ave. NE
  • Pratt Park, 1800 S Main St.

For a more complete listing of fun summer activities in Seattle parks, please visit www.seattle.gov/parks and click on “2013 Summer Guide” on the home page.