Parks

Activities

Healthy Parks, Healthy You

Recreation Director: Sue Goodwin
(206) 684-7157 | sue.goodwin@seattle.gov

Programs

Seattle parks and Recreation offers a variety of Healthy programs to the Public through our Programs and Special events.

Soda Free Sundays Challenge – Spring 2011 marked the launch of Soda Free Sundays – a community-wide challenge to take a break from soda and other sugary drinks for at least one day each week for six weeks. We know that sugary drinks are one of the major contributors to obesity today, particularly among kids. We also know that cutting back on overconsumption of these drinks is tough. Every day we are bombarded by highly effective advertisements, constantly faced with the lure of inexpensive and easily accessible sugary beverages. Soda Free Sundays recognizes that, together as a community, we can take a first step toward building a healthier generation. Take the pledge by going to www.sodafreesundays.org - be sure to say that you heard about the campaign through Seattle Parks and Recreation!

Try It for $2 Program – Try something new for only $2! Attend a program or class session once for $2 at one of our community centers. If you like it, register for the remainder of the class for a prorated amount. Pool Bonus! New participant to water fitness programs can try one session for $2. Existing participants can get in for FREE if they bring a new participant! www.tryitfor2.com

Senior Food & Fitness – Partnerships with elder groups (Vietnamese, Korean, Somali and Ethiopian-Eritrean) and service providers including Aging & Disabilities at the Human Services Department, the Refugee Women’s Alliance (REWA) and Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) provide a culturally relevant meal & exercise activity twice a week. Check out the current brochure at: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/seniors/index.htm

Shape Up – Program's purpose is to improve elder's strength and balance through fitness and education (currently using small grant funds from EMS-county to offer at two CC's only per grant restrictions) to prevent falls and reduce costs associated with EMS response. www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/ems/community/ShapeUp.aspx

Sound Steps – The purpose of the program is to improve the health and wellness of adults’ age 50 and better by establishing a community-based walking program designed to encourage physical activity and social interaction. www.seattle.gov/parks/seniors/SoundSteps.htm

Teen Top Chef Competition – This is a quarterly event where teens apply culinary skills developed in our nutrition and culinary education programs. On the night of the competition, participants prepare a dish and presentation for panel judges who rate the dishes on nutritional value, plate presentation, food handling and preparation, taste, and group preparation. www.seattle.gov/parks/healthyparks/files/teen_programs_report.pdf

Gardening programs – Community Center Learning Gardens are located at community center and P-Patch sites throughout Seattle area. The program provides hands-on urban agriculture education through gardening and food preparation activities. Youth ages 5 – 19 learn firsthand the practices which lead to localized and sustainable food system. www.seattle.gov/parks/healthyparks/files/teen_programs_report.pdf

Teen Cooking & Nutrition classes – Teen culinary education program. Our food and nutrition programs offer hands-on experience to youth ages 12-19 learning to select and prepare healthy food through cooking activities and competitions.www.seattle.gov/parks/teens/

Community Kitchen – currently offered at Queen Anne, Miller CC, Ballard CC and 2 at Rainier CC; offered as a class or special event. Volunteers and nutritionists buy in bulk, create the menus, and provide cooking instruction. Cost: $20 per person and provides nutritious food items to take home and enjoy immediately or freeze for later use. Check out the Queen Anne, Miller, Ballard, and Rainier community center brochure for dates and times. Lifelong Learning & Career Development

Summer Lifeguard Training Team – Free eight-week programs designed to train and certify youth in lifesaving skills. The training includes American Red Cross certification in Lifeguard Training, First Aid, and CPR, and beach-specific rescue techniques. www.seattle.gov/parks/Aquatics/LTT.htm

Seattle Adaptive Sports and Fitness programs – offers year-round activities for people with disabilities. www.seattle.gov/parks/SpecialPops/index.htm

Big Day of Play – has now become an annual event to support the Healthy Parks, Healthy you initiative. Last year’s event had close to 4,000 participants. This event is a day full of fun activities on land and sea; focusing on healthy options to play, recreate, and learn about healthy life choices. www.seattle.gov/parks/healthyparks/big_day.htm

Rowing & Sailing – offers programs for ages 8 – 100 in rowing, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing for all ability levels. www.seattle.gov/parks/boats/

Bicycle Sundays – Bicycle along Lake Washington Boulevard south of Mount Baker Beach to S. Orcas Street. www.seattle.gov/parks/bicyclesunday/

Fitness Rooms – Seattle Parks & Recreation has ten Fitness Centers throughout Seattle waiting to serve you with no long-term contracts or hidden fees. www.seattle.gov/parks/healthyparks/files/fitness_rooms.pdf

Green Seattle Partnership – The Green Seattle Partnership is dedicated to restoring 2500 acres of forested Parkland in Seattle by 2025. We can't do it alone. Forest restoration volunteers work on removing invasive plants, planting new native trees and understory plants, and long term maintenance and monitoring of restoration sites. Green Seattle Partnership works in collaboration with Camp Long and other parks in Seattle. www.greenseattle.org/

O2 – The Outdoor Opportunities (O2) program is an outdoor expedition level program designed to expose multi-ethnic teens to environmental education, urban conservation, and stewardship, while creating an environment for community leadership and empowerment. www.seattle.gov/parks/teens/o2/

STEP Program – The Student – Teen Employment Preparation (STEP) program is a six week summer job readiness program targeted to at-risk, low income, immigrant/refugee and youth with developmental disabilities between the ages of 14 and 19. It is designed to provide youth with education, job skills and career development training. The program combines on the job work experience, environmental and safety education, workforce preparation and leadership training. www.seattle.gov/parks/Teens/programs/teenjobs.htm