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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Take center stage: Make Music Seattle is happening June 21

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MMSGenericLogo2OL.fwThey say all the world’s a stage, and this Sunday that statement rings true. On June 21, for the first time, Seattle will be joining more than 700 cities in a worldwide music celebration called Make Music.

Make Music is a free festival held each year on the summer solstice across the globe where musicians young and old, amateur and professional, of every genre pour into streets, parks and plazas to share their talent with the community. All of the events are free and open to the public. [Read more…]

Everything you need to know about Seafair Summer 4th

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Seafair Summer Fourth 2014 at Gasworks Park, photo by Seafair

Seafair Summer Fourth 2014 at Gasworks Park, photo by Seafair

Date: Saturday, July 4, 2015
Locations: Gas Works Park, 2101 N Northlake Way, or Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave N

Where can I find information about the fireworks displays?
The best resource for information regarding the Seafair Summer Fourth firework display is Seafair.com. Please note that neither the City of Seattle, nor Seattle Parks and Recreation pays for the firework display. [Read more…]

Seattle Tilth offers free composting and container gardening classes in downtown parks

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Seattle Tilth composting class in Victor Steinbrueck Park.

Seattle Tilth composting class in Victor Steinbrueck Park.

This summer, Seattle Tilth will teach apartment and condominium dwellers how to grow salads, herbs and vegetables in containers and how to compost food waste indoors or on balconies or patios in downtown parks. These classes provide new ideas and will help troubleshoot site challenges for new and experienced gardeners. Seattle Tilth garden experts will show innovative ways to grow food organically with limited space and reduce food waste for people who don’t have a yard or garden plot. [Read more…]

Your 2015 Seattle Parks Summer Bucket List

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Remember when you were a kid and summer meant three months of sleeping in and not knowing which day it was? Blissful. But now you’re older, and people send you meeting requests in July and schedule appointments in August. You’re expected to show up to work even when it’s 80 degrees and sunny. The audacity.

At Seattle Parks and Recreation, we believe that no matter what your age, you deserve to have some summertime fun. We’ve put together a Summer Bucket List that has something for everyone. So get out your day planner, and scribble some of these events in. They’re sure to turn a ho-hum week into a hopping good time. [Read more…]

Seattle Parks’ ‘Big Day of Play’ returns June 28

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The Big Day of Play will have boating, fitness and educational activities for the whole family.

The Big Day of Play will have boating, fitness and educational activities for the whole family.

Research shows adults can improve brain function, relieve stress and improve their connection to others by taking part in active play. But, with busy lives being what they are, few people make time for it. Luckily, Seattle Parks and Recreation has dedicated a whole day to play, and the whole family is invited. This year’s annual Big Day of Play takes place June 28.

Mark your calendar from noon – 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, to see what Seattle Parks and other community organizations are offering in the way of fun activities and healthy food. This year’s event will be held at Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing Center, 3800 Lake Washington Blvd. S.

Big Day of Play is a great way to get important information about health and wellness, discover unique opportunities to become active, enjoy healthy food and learn how recreation can change your life. Big Day of Play grew out of Parks’ Healthy Parks, Healthy You initiative, which aligns with national efforts such as First Lady Michele Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign. [Read more…]

Your go-to guide for a Happy Father’s Day

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dad and daughter

Sunday, June 21, is the first day of summer! You’ve got your sandals on without socks. You’ve got sunglasses perched atop your head. You’ve got a list of outdoor movies, concerts and events to fill up the next few months. But wait a minute, there’s something you’re forgetting in your sunshine-induced haze.

Sunday, June 21, is also Father’s Day. Kick off your summer celebration, but don’t forget to include dad in the fun. May we suggest you do the following? [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.

Join City Fruit and Save Seattle’s Apples

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Join City Fruit in a series of work party events to Save Seattle’s Apples! This spring campaign is meant to engage the community and promote awareness of the urban fruit trees, prevent common pests from spreading to nearby trees, keeping nutritious food from going to waste and helping to preserve the biological diversity of fruit trees in Seattle.

From noon – 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, City Fruit needs volunteers and volunteer groups to help place protective bags over the young apples growing along the Burke-Gilman Trail. These bags will keep out pests that like to eat the growing fruit. The more apples that can be protected, the more fruit that can be harvested and shared with the community.

Meet on the Burke-Gilman Trail in Wallingford. For more information, go here.

Seattle Parks invites community to take the Bike Month Challenge

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Celebrate Bike Month this May and commute or recreate on two wheels.

Celebrate Bike Month this May and commute or recreate on two wheels.

May is Bike to Work Month and Seattle Parks and Recreation staff would like the community to join them on their mission to commute more on two wheels.

Bike Month is a 31-day push for people to ride their bikes to work, on errands or just for fun. Biking is a low-cost, eco-friendly way to travel. It’s been proven to reduce stress and provides low-impact exercise.

Cascade Bicycle Club hosts a Bike Month Challenge website where individuals, companies and teams can compete against one another in a free, online trip-tracking contest. According to the website, more than 2,400 people started riding for the first time during Bike Month in 2014, and this year, joining the effort is even easier.

Pronto! Cycle Share has 50 stations throughout the city, and new bicycle infrastructure has made commuting safer and more convenient. Plus, Bicycle Sundays start Sunday, May 3.

Seattle Parks has many parks with bike trails and maintains the Burke-Gilman Trail in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation and the University of Washington.

In 2014, Seattle Parks’ participating staff logged 266 bike trips and pedaled 4,132.8 miles during the Bike Month Challenge. This year, the department hopes to travel even farther.

Ready to pedal? Share your Bike Month adventures, photos, favorite rides and tips with us on Twitter at @seattleparks.

GiveBIG and support Seattle Parks’ programs May 5

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GB_LogoBe a champion! Join the Associated Recreation Council (ARC) and The Seattle Foundation in supporting our community on Tuesday, May 5.

GiveBIG is a one-day, online charitable giving event to inspire people to give generously to nonprofit organizations that make our region a healthier and more vital place to live.

By making a gift to ARC through The Seattle Foundation’s website on Tuesday, May 5, you will help deliver the high-quality programs and services that truly make a difference in the lives of Seattle residents. The Seattle Foundation will leverage your gift even further by providing ARC with additional matching funds.

ARC, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, serves Seattle by offering a variety of recreational and lifelong learning programs, classes and activities. ARC, incorporated in 1975 as an independent nonprofit organization, supports this work through the ARC Board of Director and a system of 37 advisory councils. Citizen volunteers on the board and advisory councils help to enhance the mission and vision of Seattle Parks by providing a connection to the community and advocating for the success of citywide recreation services.

Just click on the link below, go to “Donate Now” and GiveBIG Specify in the “Comments” field which of ARC’s programs you’d like your gift to support (for example, after-school care or RecTech).

Last year, ARC’s GiveBIG campaign raised $28,241 from 178 donors.

Make your donation here: www.seattlefoundation.org/npos/Pages/AssociatedRecreationCouncil.aspx