Recreation Reset Continues

On April 20, City Council approved a plan to begin rebuilding some of the programming delivered by the Parks and Recreation Department, which was severely downsized due to the financial impacts of the pandemic and related building closures.

The Council appropriated the remaining $328,000 of funding that had been set aside for preliminary Parks, Recreation, and Arts Council recovery efforts, with a goal of resuming some programs by this summer.

Staff are focused on remaining nimble in order to respond quickly to changes in Department of Health pandemic guidance, and King County’s COVID Recovery Phase. Evaluation of immediate community needs is underway and the City is eager to develop services and reengage with the community. The funding will also support and expand those services and programs that have already resumed such as field rentals, the P-patch, and summer camps.

Click here to view the draft Strategy for the MICEC & Recreation Programs and Services to learn much more about the work the Parks & Recreation Commission has been engaged in over several months. This plan will help guide the delivery of future programs and services in a thoughtful, sustainable way beyond the impacts of the pandemic. We look forward to sharing the final plan and more about the rollout of services throughout the summer and fall.