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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Safe fun in the sun for park visitors

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It feels like summer in the middle of spring! We’re all heading outside to enjoy it, and deservedly so. Because we know that time spent outdoors is so important to physical and mental health, we’re excited to finally be able to offer a tentative summer schedule of outdoor activities.

But as we’re having long-needed fun, please remember that each of us still has a critical role to play in defeating the pandemic. Please continue to wear your mask in public, keep your distance and limit social gatherings to the outdoors. Public health officials are very concerned about a fourth wave due to the presence of variants in our community, which could push us back into Phase Two. Starting today, you’ll see lots of new signs in parks about masking up and staying socially distant from those not in your pod. Seattle Parks and Recreation staff will be in the major parks this weekend too, reminding people of the same, and handing out masks for those who need one.

You’ll also see new signs in the parks with other safety reminders: that the Green Lake inner path is one way, for pedestrians only; and that no bonfires are permitted at beaches until the designated fire pits open up at Golden Gardens and Alki Beach over Memorial Day weekend.

If the goal of going to public green spaces is to relax, and not spend your time circling for parking spots or nestling too close to other sun revelers, try some alternatives to the popular parks. You can find suggestions here and here. Or type in any address on this page and see which parks are in a particular neighborhood.

Lastly, getting tested is still important. Stay home if you feel sick, and sign up for a vaccine when it’s your turn, either through your health provider or a community resource like this one. But most of all, enjoy yourselves safely outdoors; it’s our best natural resource!

Seattle Japanese Garden Reopens Saturday March 6 with Timed Ticketing Reservations

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We’re all more than ready for spring this year, and no doubt many of us will greet the seasonal opening of the Seattle Japanese Garden with more joy than usual. Before you go, be sure to read up on the new reservation system, buy tickets online, and get familiar with the guidelines for visiting.

There is timed ticketing, with pre-purchase on the home page of the Garden’s website required for entry.

  • Tickets purchased online are valid for the time slot purchased. Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded.
  • Walk-ups will be available on a first come, first-served basis on weekdays. Please be aware that if the garden is at capacity, walk-up entry may not be available. For visits Friday – Sunday and holidays, we encourage purchasing tickets in advance to secure a spot.
  • Ticket reservations cut off 24 hours in advance of a visit. Tickets must be purchased for every person, including children under 5. Additional people may not be admitted due to limited capacity. The current group size allowed during this phase of the pandemic is 5.

One way-paths and limited access to some garden areas.

  • The Tateuchi Community Room, the Shoseian Teahouse, and the azumaya are closed, as well as some of the bridges and platforms in the central area of the garden. Please see map provided on this page for more information on one-way paths and closures.

Required face coverings for all visitors and staff.

  • Informed by Governor Inslee’s mandate, Seattle Japanese Garden requires all guests over 5 years old to wear face masks while visiting the garden.

On March 7, a Shinto blessing to celebrate the opening of the Seattle Japanese Garden will be conducted online from Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America in Granite Falls, WA. It will be available for a live-viewing via Zoom. More info and registration for the blessing here.

Join us in ushering in a successful new year by celebrating and giving gratitude to the Divine Nature that surrounds us and the Seattle Japanese Garden.

2020 Spring/Summer Brochures Now Available

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The daffodils are starting to bloom, and that means spring is just around the corner! Spring and summer are some of the best times for parks and recreation. Discover all the ways to enjoy these seasons, from Spring Egg Hunts, flower blooms, summer beach openings, Bicycle Sundays, rowing events, the Big Day of Play, and so much more.

Spring Registration opens at noon on March 3
Summer Registration opens at noon on May 5

Click the links below to read through our program brochures and learn more about our many programs, events, and activities! 

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Southeast Community Centers

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Southwest Community Centers

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Northeast Community Centers

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Northwest Community Centers

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Lifelong Recreation (Spring only; summer soon)

Spring break staycationing with Seattle Parks and Recreation

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Ah, spring break. You’re picturing yourself on a beach in Mexico. Or hiking in the Grand Canyon. You’re looking at airline and hotel prices and…wait. You’re not going anywhere.

Perhaps you can’t afford to go out of town for spring break or maybe you can’t escape the 8-5. Don’t you worry, friend. There are PLENTY of breathtaking and memorable activities to embark on right here. In fact, we don’t know why you’d ever want to leave! [Read more…]

Where to find breathtaking blooms across the city

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Parsons Flower

Spring has come early to Seattle. The sun has been shining. Birds have been chirping. And Twitter is chock-full of flower photos.

After a dark winter, nothing lifts the spirit like a bed full of seasonal blooms. We asked some of our senior gardeners for the best places to spot splashes of color in our parks.

Grab your iced coffee and stop by to smell the daffodils, camellias, flowering cherry trees… well, you get it.

 

Volunteer Park
Go because: There’s a heady scent of Daphne and Sarcococca in the air. Follow your nose and be lead to tucked-away beds full of blooming camellias, flowering quince and Dawn Viburnum. If it rains, you can always pop into the Volunteer Park Conservatory and warm up surrounded by tropical flowering plants from around the world.

Recommendation from: Jody Blecksmith, Senior Gardener, Volunteer Park

 

Hamilton Viewpoint Park
Go because: The park offers spectacular views of Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle, and the garden  landscape features Kousa dogwood,  flowering cherry, rhododendron and seasonal color display beds full of daffodils in the spring.

[Read more…]

Hunt for eggs across the city with Seattle Parks

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springegg2_-MSeattle Parks and Recreation is hosting dozens of free and low-cost spring bunny and egg hunt activities all over Seattle this month. Hop to an event in your neighborhood and collect some goodies. For event details, please contact the specific location.

SOUTHEAST
April 17 Spring Egg Hunts
Van Asselt Community Center, 3:30 p.m., Day Campers
Van Asselt Community Center, 6 p.m., Ages 11-17

April 18 Teen Flashlight Egg Hunt
Jefferson Community Center, 8 p.m., Ages 11 and older

April 19 Spring Egg Hunts
Jefferson Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 11 and younger
Rainier Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 11 and younger

SOUTHWEST
April 11 Bunny Bonanza Alki Bathhouse, 6:30 pm., All Ages, Cost $5

April 17 Toddler Eggstravaganza High Point Community Center, 10 a.m., Cost $5

April 17 Flashlight Egg Hunt Hiawatha Community Center, 8 p.m., Ages 11-17

April 19 Spring Egg Hunts Alki Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 11 and under Delridge Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 3-11 Hiawatha Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 3-11 High Point Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 3-11 South Park Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 1-10

CENTRAL
April 17 Mighty Mites “Egg”-Stravaganza
Miller Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 5 and under

April 19 Spring Egg Hunts
Cal Anderson Park, 10 a.m., Ages 1-11
Queen Anne Community Center, 10 a.m., All Ages
Montlake Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 1-11
Yesler Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 1-11

NORTHEAST
April 19 Spring Bunny Trail
Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 12 and under

April 19 Spring Egg Hunts
Nathan Hale Stadium, 10 a.m., Ages 1-11
Laurelhurst Park, 10 a.m., Ages 12 and under

NORTHWEST
April 19 Spring Egg Scramble
Green Lake Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 3 and under
Green Lake Community Center, 10:30 a.m., Ages 4-7
Green Lake Community Center, 11 a.m., Ages 8-10

April 19 Spring Egg Hunts
Ballard Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages 2-10
Loyal Heights Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages- 2-10
Magnolia Community Center, 10 a.m., Ages- 2-10
Bitter Lake Annex, 10 a.m., Ages- 2-10

Parks works in partnership with the Associated Recreation Council (ARC) to bring high-quality, accessible and affordable recreation opportunities to the people of Seattle.

Seattle Japanese Garden celebrates Opening Day First Viewing

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The Seattle Japanese Garden’s 2014 season opens on Saturday, March 1 with a celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To ensure a wonderful season, Reverend Koichi Barrish of the Tsubaki Grand Shrine will honor the Japanese Garden with the traditional Shinto blessing at noon.

This 3 ½ acre formal garden evokes another time and place, a unique and artistic representation of nature influenced by Shinto, Buddhist, and Tao philosophies. Designed and built under the supervision of world-renowned Japanese garden designer Juki Iida in 1960, the garden is a quiet place, allowing reflection and meditation through the careful placement of water, garden plants, stones, waterfalls, trees and bridges.

Admission fees for First Viewing are: $10 for adults 18-64, $5 for youths 6–17, senior adults 65+, college students with ID, and people with disabilities, and free for kids younger than 6.

For free, the community is invited to enjoy the opening of a beautiful new photography exhibit “A Celebration of Spring”  from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Tateuchi Community Room.  The juried show also on March 1 celebrates nine photographers and their fantastic views of the Garden from a spring workshop in 2013.

The Japanese Garden offers monthly tea presentations and demonstration at the Tea House and other great community events during the March -November season when it is open to the public

Seattle Japanese Garden 2014 Schedule

March 1 – March 30                               Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
March 31 – Sept. 21                                Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
September 22 – Sept. 30                       Monday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
October 1 – Nov. 2                                  Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
November 3 – Nov. 30                           Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Japanese Garden is located at the south end of the Washington Park Arboretum at 1075 Lake Washington Blvd. E. For more information please visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/japanesegarden.htm or call 206-684-4725.

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