Consultant Report on Volunteer Park Conservatory operations is now available
Seattle Parks and Recreation has received the report from EMD Consulting Group, LLC that contains recommendations on the future operation of the Volunteer Park Conservatory (VPC). Following analysis of eight options, the consultant focused on the two that build both earned and contributed income: One includes a $3 admission fee and no new structure for rental events; the other includes a $4 admission fee and a tent structure for rentals. Parks continues to sustain major budget reductions, and staff continue to examine lines of business to identify potential reductions for 2013. The look at VPC operations is one element of this effort.
» Conservatory Business Strategy

Parks Preservation Work Group Initiated
Mayor Mike McGinn and City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw have formed the Parks Preservation Work Group, charged with advising the Mayor, City Council and Parks and Recreation on a range of options for generating more revenue and finding efficiencies that could reduce costs in the 2013 operating budget and beyond.
» Learn more

Seattle Parks and Recreation announces new e-Newsletter
Check out Parks Acting Superintendent Christopher Williams’ new e-Newsletter, Explore More!, here on the web. It’s full of news about Parks and Recreation.
» Read Explore More! | Sign up to receive Explore More!

Youth Violence Prevention Initiative first progress report
Click here to see the first progress of the Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, a cooperative strategy involving several City agencies and many community partners, for focusing on our youth most at risk of perpetuating or being victims of violence. The Initiative focuses on the three neighborhoods where youth violence is highest--Southeast, Southwest and Central Seattle--and incorporates strategies that take our local cultures into account and use home-grown, community-created programs.
» Read progress report

Community Center Operations: Background, results and 2012 budget decisions
Following the internal work on community center operations, the City Council has made its budget decisions. They adopted the Community Center Advisory Team’s recommendations with two changes: They added $100,000 for additional hours at community centers; Parks will decide how to distribute these hours, based on the original nine criteria used in the review process and circumstances unique to communities where community centers are located. And the added funding for “people counters” at community centers to enhance Parks’ data gathering efforts.
» More information | 2012 Community Centers Hours

Seattle Conservation Corps work program for homeless adults
The Seattle Conservation Corps (SCC) is part of Seattle Parks and Recreation. SCC's mission is to utilize private and publicly funded work projects to employ homeless persons in a supportive work environment, offering work experience leading to long term employment, housing, and personal stability.
» www.seattle.gov/parks/scc | Read latest newsletter

Frequently Asked Questions about SR 520 environmental evaluation
To see the Frequently Asked Questions about the Section 6(f) environmental evaluation of the SR 520 I-5 to Medina, see link.
» More information

Find out about upcoming special events in parks near you
Parks is now posting information each Friday about upcoming special events in Seattle parks. You can find the information here. Be sure to check both lists.
» Big events in parks | REALLY BIG events in parks

Parks and Recreation information translated in 7 languages
Parks and Recreation offers many opportunities for you and your family.
» Chinese | English | Korean | Spanish | Somali | Vietnamese | Tagalog

Sherwood History Files
Seattle Parks and Recreation's Sherwood History Files are now available online.
» More information

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