Registration begins March 9 MyKentParks.com/Register KENT PARKS WELCOMES YOU TO THE 2020 SPRING/SUMMER RECREATION GUIDE LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Hello Everyone! A few things we heard from you: Welcome to the 2020 • All current Kent Parks programs (over 2,500!) were all validated Spring/Summer as important. However, residents want to see more community Recreation Guide! and cultural events and programs, increase opportunities to I am so excited to announce that focus on fitness and health, and create access to nature by the new Recreation Program providing more outdoor programs in parks. Plan for Kent Parks is almost • The top three barriers the community identified that limited complete! The plan provides an their participation in programs are a lack of time to participate, eight-year direction for the Kent inconvenient program times, and topics are not relevant/ Parks Recreation Division and interesting. is directly tied with the City’s strategic planning efforts and budget cycles. This plan is a critical • At least 80% of respondents in both surveys indicated the document in helping us understand and serve Kent’s diverse overall quality of Kent Parks programs as either good or community needs and identifies over ninety strategic actions excellent (Thank You!). to consider and implement, along with establishing a new I am very proud of the Kent Parks staff for all they do for the program performance platform. Kent community and their efforts to enhance Kent’s healthy Over the past year, Kent Parks staff, with the help of nationally aging, growing community connections, as well as making Kent known Parks and Recreation Consultant, PROS Consulting, FUN for everyone and a great place to live for all. The changes Inc., worked directly with community members, commissions, will occur over the next several years as we begin to introduce program participants, advisory groups, partners, school and test new programs, so make sure you take the time to districts, and key stakeholders. At the same time, both an online look through our Recreation Guides (Spring/Summer, Fall, and qualitative survey and a statistically valid general public survey Winter) to see what your family wants to join in on! For those was completed. The surveys focused on what’s working well, interested in learning more, the final plan and all supporting what areas need improvement, what new programs or services data will be available online in March. are needed or desired, what barriers the community faces in In addition to the above, great things are happening throughout participating in programs, and much more. all of Kent Parks with a new marketing and community The plan also updated community demographics, explored engagement plan, new senior programming, capital park new trends in parks and recreation, analyzed cost recovery and improvements to parks and recreation facilities, updates to the fee philosophy, evaluated three years of Kent Parks program and Human Services Strategic Plan, and more. service delivery data and performance, identified underserved populations, completed a market analysis to understand what Visit MyKentParks.com to stay updated so you don’t miss out! other alternative providers were also located within the city Thank you all for your continued engagement and support to help address unmet needs or gaps in services, and more. of Kent Parks! This new plan, which is a national best practice, was built in collaboration with those we serve, and gives us a solid path forward. Julie Parascondola, CPRE Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director Kent Parks is Dedicated IN THIS ISSUE to Enriching Lives We are committed to providing safe and Preschool Programs .............................4 inviting parks and facilities, meaningful and diverse recreational programs, Youth Programs ......................................6 cultural activities and human services. Youth/Teen Programs ..................... 16 Our staff is responsive, positive and ethical in their dedication to delivering: Adaptive Recreation .........................20 Personal Benefits that strengthen self Riverbend Golf Course ....................25 esteem, improve health and promote self sufficiency. Adult Programs ...................................26 Social Benefits that bring families Adult Sports & Fitness ......................30 together and unite people within our Parks Planning & Development ...32 diverse community. Economic Benefits that welcome new Human Services ...................................33 business relocation and expansion which Cultural Arts Programs ...................34 leads to a more productive work force and increased tourism opportunities. Kent Commons .....................................40 Environmental Benefits that protect and Adult 50+ Programs .......................... 41 preserve natural areas, open space and enhance air and water quality. Park Facilities ........................................44 Statement of Inclusion Activity Locations ...............................45 “Everyone in the City of Kent community Weather Policy .....................................46 shall have the opportunity to equally participate in, benefit from, and enjoy Scholarship Information ................47 the parks and recreation programs and facilities. Our mission is dedicated Registration Information ...............47 to enriching the lives of all persons participating in Kent Parks, Recreation and MyKentParks.com Community Services.” In using City Park Facilities for any adult CONNECT /mykentparks or youth community athletic program, as that term is defined in RCW 49.60.500, no group may discriminate in program WITH @mykentparks participation on the basis of sex. ADA Access US @mykentparks The City of Kent is committed to providing programs and services accessible to individuals with disabilities. Kent Parks Programs are sponsored in cooperation with the Kent School District. Requests for special accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For TDD users, call 1-800-833-6388; Telebraille, 1-800-833-6385 and voice, 1-800-833-6384. This service provided by Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service at no cost except long EARLY REGISTRATION distance charges. Kent Parks offers the opportunity to register in person, by phone, mail-in or online through MyKentParks.com/register. Please see page 47 for more details. Scholarships are available! See page 47 Monday, March 9 at 8:00 a.m.: Registration for Spring/Summer classes for more information on how to apply! Wednesday, March 11 at 8:00 a.m.: Registration for Adaptive Recreation classes (pg 20-24) DIRECTORY Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services For more information, please call 253-856-5000. Department......................253-856-5000 TTY (for hearing impaired).............253-833-6388 Scholarships are available! See page 47 for more information. Other Kent Services Kent Community Food Bank...........253-520-3550 Kent Downtown Partnership ..........253-813-6976 Kent Community Foundation .........253-854-1770 Kent Valley Ice Centre..................253-850-2400 ACTIVITIES INDOOR PARK (10 mos–4½ yrs) Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30–11 a.m. Come and experience our Indoor Park, a traditional outdoor playground brought inside. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings, play with our toys, balls and playground equipment in a dry and safe environment. Parents are required to supervise their children at all times (maximum of three children per adult). Cost is $2 per visit for the first child and $1 for each additional child, or buy a 10-visit pass for $15. Call 253-856-5000 for more information. March 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 31 April 1, 2, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 May 5, 6, 7 No Indoor Park: April 7-9 FUN4ME CLASSROOM MUSIC PLAY TIME PALS Bring out the musician inside your child with this fun program that starts your Little Mozart Enjoy time together singing, learning, getting messy and playing in an inclusive preschool class led by on their way to learning rhythm, timing, melody an early childhood specialist. Children will develop friendships with a wide variety of peers, some of and notation. They’ll have fun singing and whom have special needs. Parent participation is required. moving, clapping and tapping with Mozart Mouse, Beethoven Bear and Music Friends. A Ages 20-36 months 71534 Tu 11:00 am-12:30 pm 6/2-7/7 71544 Tu 9:00 am-10:30 am 4/14-5/26 71536 Th 11:00 am-12:30 pm 6/4-7/9 variety of tuned, auxiliary and multicultural 71547 W 9:00 am-10:30 am 4/15-5/27 71539 Tu 11:00 am-12:30 pm 7/14-8/18 percussion instruments will be used during class. 71548 Th 9:00 am-10:30 am 4/16-5/28 CTC C. Staff 6 sess/$42 New material intorduced every quarter and CTC C. Staff 7 sess/$49 students progress at their own pace. 71546 Tu 11:00 am-12:30 pm 4/14-5/26* 71545 M 9:00 am-10:30 am 4/13-5/18 71549 Th 11:00 am-12:30 pm 4/16-5/28 71550 M 9:00 am-10:30 am 6/1-7/6 CTC C. Staff 7 sess/$49 Ages 3 Years - 6 Years 71551 Tu 9:00 am-10:30 am 6/2-7/7 71113 Th 10:30 am-11:30 am 4/16-6/4 71535 W 9:00 am-10:30 am 6/3-7/8 Kent Commons S. Anderson 7 sess/$100 Play Time Pals Plus (Ages 20-36 months) No class 5/28. 71537 M 9:00 am-10:30 am 7/13-8/17 71526 W 9:00 am-10:30 am 7/15-8/19 71538 Tu 9:00 am-10:30 am 7/14-8/18 71543 Th 9:00 am-10:30 am 7/16-8/20 CTC C. Staff 6 sess/$42 71552 Th 11:00 am-12:30 pm 7/16-8/20 CTC C. Staff 6 sess/$42 No class 5/25 4 To register, visit MyKentParks.com/Register or call 253-856-5000 TEENY WEENY WIGGLERS Music, games, songs, parachute play and dance make this a lively and fun class for parents and toddlers. Ages 18 Months - 3 Months 71860 Th 9:30 am-10:15 am 4/2-6/4 71861 W 9:30 am-10:15 am 7/8-8/12 Kent Commons M.