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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Seattle Japanese Garden invites wandering and wondering

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2014 Wandering and Wondering event in the Seattle Japanese Garden

2014 Wandering and Wondering event in the Seattle Japanese Garden, photo by Brian Jones

From 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 16, visit the Seattle Japanese Garden for its Wandering and Wondering event. Wander through the garden and wonder at the sights and sounds emerging from the landscape. Experience the beauty and tranquility of the garden in a unique way.

2014 Wandering and Wondering event in the Seattle Japanese Garden

2014 Wandering and Wondering event in the Seattle Japanese Garden, photo by Brian Jones

Visitors will encounter dancers and musicians dispersed in locations throughout the garden as the performers engage in a minute-by-minute response to all the scents, sounds, sights and sensations of the garden. This annual summer event is directed by Joan Laage, director of Kogut Butoh. [Read more…]

Windermere Summer Splash comes to Green Lake Aug. 15

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Green Lake

Green Lake

Come experience the Windermere Summer Splash at Green Lake from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15!

In addition to featuring corporate crew races, the event will celebrate summer fun and healthy activities for families. There will be food vendors, children’s activities, entertainment and opportunities to experience rowing, canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Windermere Summer Splash is sponsored by Windermere Real Estate in partnership with George Pocock Rowing Foundation and Seattle Parks and Recreation. Most activities will be located on the southwest corner of the park near the Green Lake Small Craft Center.

For more information, please visit www.windermeresummersplash.com.

Camp Long hosts free overnight campout

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Young barred owl at Camp Long

Young barred owl at Camp Long

Camp Long and the National Wildlife Federation hosted a campout for High Point Seattle Housing Authority families last month.

On Saturday, June 20, 67 people participated in a free overnight nature immersion experience.

For the third year the Camp Long Environmental Learning Center partnered with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) for NWF’s annual national initiative the “Great American Backyard Campout,” which aims to get more families outside. [Read more…]

Meet the new superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation

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postcardSeattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jesús Aguirre will host a series of community meetings throughout the summer and fall to share his vision for the future of the department and to learn more about the unique needs of each of the city’s diverse neighborhoods.

Superintendent Aguirre will give a brief presentation on the department’s goals moving forward and will lead a discussion with community members to learn more about what’s important to them with regards to recreation and public spaces.Spanish postcard (2) Vietnamese postcard

The first meeting will take place from 6:30 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, at South Park Community Center (8319 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108). All are welcome to attend.

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…]

Pianos in the Parks encourage park discovery through music

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Piano from the 2014 Pianos in the Parks program.

Piano from the 2014 Pianos in the Parks program. Photo provided by Laird Norton Wealth Management.

It’s music to our ears: the pianos are back. After a successful first campaign, Pianos in the Parks will be returning for a second season on July 16. The month-long program will add to additional pianos to the roster this year, totaling 22 pianos in Puget Sound-area locations. Seattle Parks and Recreation will host 11 pianos in public parks.

The program, led by Laird Norton Wealth Management, is designed to encourage the discovery of parks through music and art by placing one-of-a-kind, artist-designed upright and grand pianos in parks and public spaces across King County including Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island and Sea-Tac, for free public use and music exploration.

All 22 previously owned pianos are procured, repaired, tuned, transported and maintained by Classic Pianos; and are painted by student, alumni and faculty artists of Gage Academy of Art. [Read more…]

Enchantment in the trees: Experiential Play and Zip camp at Camp Long

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UntitledShake things up this summer and spend a day suspended high up in the trees. West Seattle’s Camp Long is hosting eight sessions of Enchantment Experiential Play and Zip camp at the high ropes challenge course. Play and zipline with your friends 40 feet above the ground.

The experience is open to ages 14 and older and costs $30 per person. Sessions are Saturdays July 11 and 25; Aug. 8 and 22. The available time slots are 9:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. or 1:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.

To register for a session, call 206-684-7434 or email camp.long@seattle.gov.

Make a wish; Seattle Japanese Garden celebrates Tanabata on July 11

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Mother and son exploring the Seattle Japanese Garden

Mother and son explore the Seattle Japanese Garden. Photo by Amanda Sarnoski

The Seattle Japanese Garden invites the community to celebrate Tanabata from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. The annual Japanese festival is celebrated with magnificent colors, craft making and a tradition of writing wishes. The garden is located at 1075 Lake Washington Blvd E.

Tanabata, (Evening of the Seventh) is based on the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, star crossed lovers separated by the Milky Way. According to legend, each year on the evening of July 7, Orihime and Hikoboshi are allowed to reunite for one night. In Japan, Tanabata is celebrated by decorating bamboo branches with origami ornaments and tanzaku, poems or wishes written on small strips of paper. [Read more…]

Big Day of Play 2015

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Photos by TIA International Photography

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center on June 28 for the 2015 Big Day of Play! We were excited to be able to share fun and fitness with families in our community.

Special thanks to title sponsor PCC Natural Markets and sponsors City of Seattle, the Associated Recreation Council, Clif Kid, KIND Healthy Snacks, Seattle Children’s, Seahawks Play60, CBS Seattle and ParentMap for making this event possible.

Celebrate improvements at Jackson Park Golf on June 27

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New driving range and perimeter trail

Jackson Park Golf Course improvement and perimeter trail grand opening celebration posterSeattle Parks and Recreation invites the community to the celebrate the improvements at Jackson Park Golf Course on Saturday, June 27, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us for the ribbon-cutting event, golf activities, giveaways, trail walk and light refreshments. Jackson Park Golf course is located at 1000 NE 135th St. in north Seattle.

The golf community and neighborhood have been advocating for these improvements for years and Parks is excited to deliver a range of new amenities to Jackson Park.

The recent City investment in Jackson Park golf course includes a double-decked natural grass driving range, three updated holes and an amazing new 2.2-mile perimeter trail. The community is invited to enter a free putting contest organized by The First Tee, get a quick swing analysis, and walk the perimeter trail.

The recent improvements at Jackson Park Golf Course were guided by community input and the 2009 Master Golf Plan. Seattle Parks and Recreation with the design team lead by RW Thorpe & Associates worked with the community to deliver the new range and modifications to Jackson Park. Seattle Parks designed and constructed the perimeter trail which circles the historic golf course and offers several entry points. Trail users enjoy views of the course, wooded areas and cross the creek on bridges shared with but separate from the golfers. The Friends of Jackson Park Trail host monthly work parties and are great stewards of the trail. [Read more…]