Seattle Parks and Recreation Facilities & Programs, Canceled through April 13th

Dear Seattle Parks and Recreation community,

I am writing to share important information about Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) impacts related to COVID-19. SPR continues to be in communication with, and following the guidance of, Public Health—Seattle & King County, the City's Office of Emergency Management, and Washington Department of Health regarding COVID-19.

Today, the City of Seattle announced that effective Friday, March 13, 2020 at 6 p.m., all SPR recreation facilities and programs, as well as facility rentals and permitted events, will be canceled until at least April 13. Details on licensed school-age care programs (including before- and after-school care as well as preschool programs) will be published soon and available here: https://parkways.seattle.gov/  Please see the list below for an overview of SPR impacts, and please see the full press release here for more details. For questions or information on refunds, please contact your local community center or pool.

**Starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 13**

TEMPORARILY CLOSED:

• Facilities: All community centers, teen life centers, pools, small craft centers, environmental learning centers, and the Amy Yee Tennis Center are closed.
• Programs: All recreation and athletic programs, including swim lessons, lap swim, youth basketball league, drop-in sports and activities, track and field programs, tennis programs, exercise classes, dance classes, art classes, and teen programs are canceled.
• Rentals: All SPR facility rentals are canceled.
• Permitted events: All permitted events are canceled.
• Specialty gardens: The Volunteer Park Conservatory, Kubota Garden, and the Japanese Garden are closed.

CURRENTLY OPEN:

• Shower program: SPR's free shower program for Seattle Public Schools students and community members in need will continue at Delridge, Green Lake, Meadowbrook, Miller and Rainier community centers.
• Parks: All SPR parks, trails and open spaces are open (with the exception of the Volunteer Park Conservatory, Kubota Garden, and the Japanese Garden). Community members are encouraged to use our parks, but not to congregate and to follow public health guidance.

I know that these facility closures and program cancelations will create a significant burden to the many families who rely on SPR for places to gather and connect with friends, family and community around health, wellness, educational, athletic, recreational, and environmental offerings. SPR staff is dedicated to supporting Healthy People, a Healthy Environment, and Strong Communities, and we are exploring ways for the community to continue to engage with us via virtual community and fitness programming during these temporary impacts. Please expect to see more information about these opportunities in the near future, and I encourage everyone to check the following resources for updates about SPR operations and facilities.

Stay informed:
Seattle Parks and Recreation Website:?www.seattle.gov/parks
Seattle Parks and Recreation Blog: https://parkways.seattle.gov/
Seattle Parks and Recreation Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SeattleParksandRecreation
Seattle Parks and Recreation on Twitter:?https://twitter.com/SeattleParks

We appreciate your understanding and patience during these difficult times. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your local community center or pool, or email us at PKS_info@seattle.gov.

Sincerely,

Jesús Aguirre
Superintendent
Seattle Parks and Recreation