News
VPD, Vashon Aquatic Club and King County partner to Make A Splash!
Be part of the Fern Cove renovation
Jobs at VPD
Park Commissioners Approve $10,000 in Program Awards
Graphic Designers -- Respond to this RFQ
Think Summer -- camps & programs for All
On The Youth Activities Page
- Summer Camps Galore
- Mommy & Me Spanish for toddlers
On The Adult Activities Page
- Hung Gar Kung Fu
- Stationary Cycling
- Weight Training
- And Camps Too!
Special and Unique Happenings On the Events Calendar
Job Openings at Vashon Park District
Summer Work for Sailors
Sailing Camp Director, Bruce Haulman, is seeking young sailing enthusiasts to apprentice as USA Certified Sailing Instructors. Those who qualify will work Vashon's very popular sailing camp four days per week from June 30 through August 8 at Quartermaster Yacht Club. Applicants with sailing experience are preferred, and enthusiasm for sailing goes a long way. To apply for an apprenticeship, you must be 15. To apply as an instructor, you must be 16. Click here to view and print a PDF application form. Submit a completed application form and letter of interest to the Park District offices by May 30, 2008. For more information, contact Bruce Haulman at 463-6329. EOE
Soccer Lovers Please Apply
Paul Beytebiere is running his celebrated Vashon Soccer Camp for kids aged 5 to 14 again this year. Camp will run from July 14 to July 18, and Paul needs talented soccer players to coach campers. Click here to view and print a PDF application form. Interested soccer enthusiasts must submit a completed application and letter of interest to the Park District's Ober Park officeby May 30 . For more information, contact Paul Beytebiere at 463-5367. EOE
Vashon Park District Request for Qualifications for a Graphic Designer to Create a Visual Branding System
Vashon Park District is seeking a graphic designer to create a visual branding system for all park district materials including a logo usage guide, fonts, advertising, collateral materials, signs, vehicles and website. Click here for a complete Scope of Work and contact Susan McCabe, Vashon Park District, 206-463-9602 or susanm@vashonparkdistrict.org with your questions. Interested designers are encouraged to submit qualifications to Vashon Park District, P.O. Box 1553, Vashon Island, WA 98070 by 4:00 p.m. June 20, 2008.
We're Reviving Belle Baldwin in Fern Cove. You can help!
Vashon Park District is renovating the Belle Baldwin house to serve as a weekly vacation residence, like the Keepers' Quarters at Pt. Robinson. Rental revenues will be applied to restoration, maintenance and management of Fern Cove and environmental education programming, in partnership with People for Puget Sound, at this unique saltwater estuary on Vashon's Northwest shore.
Your donation -- or loan -- of furnishings in good condition will contribute to restoration of the house to its early 20th Century splendor.
We need living room, dining and bedroom furnishings, as well as artwork resminiscent of the early 20th century. If you have something you think will fit, contact Wendy Braicks (wendyb@vashonparkdistrict.org) or Cynthia Pringle (cynthiap@vashonparkdistrict.org) at 206-463-9602. If your item fits in the home's decor, we'll arrange to view it and pick it up. Thank you!
Park District Panel Awards $10,000
to Community Programs - Commissioners Approve
Vashon Park District Commissioners approved the recommendations of a panel of four, including a Vashon resident, a Vashon Park Commissioner and two Vashon Park District staff persons, who evaluated and scored 13 Requests for Programming Proposals (RFPPs). The requests were submitted before the March 3 deadline in pursuit of the $10,000 fund Commissioners set aside to support Island programming in 2008. The combined total dollars requested from the 13 groups amounted to $34,445. The panel, with just $10,000 to award, had to weigh the value of the proposals against each other and against existing Park District and community programming. "It was a difficult and rewarding experience," said one of the panelists.
Of the 13 submitted proposals, the panel recommended at least partial funding to 11. The panel recommendation was submitted to VPD Commissioners at their regular meeting, March 25, the Board moved to approve the recommendations and voted to pass the motion at their April 22nd meeting. Recipients have received formal notification of their awards. Click here to see the RFPP distribution of $10,000 for 2008.
Many thanks to all the groups who took the time to submit proposals.
VPD and Vashon Aquatic Club Kick Off
Island Learn To Swim Program
Vashon Park District Commissioners voted May 27 to pay half the cost of swimming lessons for Island 3rd and 4th graders in partnership with Vashon Aquatic Club and King County. This means any 3rd or 4th grader registered for the 2007-08 school year on Vashon-Maury Islands can take swimming lessons FREE.
Vashon Aquatic Club, USA Swimming Foundation, King County and now Vashon Park District are supporting MAKE A SPLASH, a national initiative dedicated to using the sport of swimming to decrease drowning accidents, foster diversity in the sport and encourage people of all ages to embrace swimming as part of a healthier lifestyle.
The Centers for Disease Control says drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths in children 1to 14 years old, and that does not include deaths resulting from boating accidents.
MAKE A SPLASH VASHON will kick off its local program at the Vashon Pool this summer by offering one free American Red Cross Learn-to-Swim & Water Safety session to all currently enrolled Island 3rd and 4th graders. Every session will be taught by an American Red Cross certified instructor. Morning and afternoon sessions will be available starting June 23rd through the summer. Morning sessions consist of 10 half-hour lessons; afternoon sessions are 8 half-hour lessons. Registration begins June 9 at the King County Pool on Vashon.
Qualifying families may receive a one-time $100 scholarship toward the cost of these lessons. Proof of eligibility must be provided to qualify. Students currently enrolled in the Free/Reduced School Lunch Program pre-qualify, but must still apply. To view and print a PDF copy of the scholarship application form, click here.
Watch for "Free Swim Lessons" letters at your school. You'll need the letter to register for your child's free AmericanRed Cross Learn-to-Swim & Water Safety sessions at the King County Pool. Even if your child knows how to swim they can still take this opportunity to improve their skills and learn water safety techniques.
For more information about MAKE A SPLASH VASHON click here.
Share Your Photos!
Vashon Park District is adding a photo gallery to this website. We will need to feed the gallery monster regularly, and that requires new and interesting photographs of all our parks.
If you've taken some beautiful, fun or interesting photos of our parks or Vashonians in action in our parks, we invite you to share them with the Park District and your community. Simply send electronic prints via email to susanm@vashonparkdistrict.org or put them on a CD and mail them to: Susan McCabe, Vashon Park District, P.O. Box 1553, Vashon, WA 98070
We will credit all photographers on photos that we use, so please send your full name and contact information so we can credit you appropriately on your pictures.
Thank you!
Walks, Trails and Parks in its THIRD Edition!
Now in its THIRD printing, for visitors and Islanders alike, Walks, Trails and Parks on Vashon Island gives the gift of this little chunk of paradise. With fresh information on new trails and old, it is the definitive guide to everything outdoorsy on Vashon, and it fits comfortably into the smallest day pack, a pocket or purse.
This cool book was assembled by John Gerstle and Susan Sullivan and is the culmination of many years of research, effort, and exploring our trails. It includes everything from a stroll through town to a six-mile low tide beach hike half way around the Island's South end. The authors share their enthusiasm for Vashon's natural beauty in a chatty, conversational style that points out items of interest on each trail while it outlines the pleasures and pitfalls along the way.
Proceeds benefit Vashon Park District programming. It's a great gift!!!
Get your copy today! Only $12.00 online (includes shipping & handling) or $10 in person at Ober Park or one of the fine Vashon merchants handling the book for us. They are:
- The Vashon Book Shop
- Vashon Pharmacy
- The Country Store
- Books By The Way
- Vashon Print & Design
- Vashon Thriftway
- Essentials 4
To order Walks, Trails and Parks on Vashon Island and pay online click here.
Be sure to include your postal address. 'Sorry we're not yet equipped to ship and bill to multiple addresses.
Vashon Wedding
Planning a wedding? How 'bout an idyllic park setting? Click here to find out how you can make that happen at the Vashon Island Park of your choice.
Vashon Park District has some truly gorgeous locations at which to perform your nuptials. Scenic waterfront spots, hidden forested places...we have some true gems. Stop in and talk to our friendly staff at our Ober Park office for ideas, a map, and then you can go and find the perfect place for your perfect day