Local youth will be performing in The Missoula Children’s Theatre’s production of “The Amazing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe” this Friday (July 23) at 7pm and Saturday (July 24) at 3pm at the Des Moines Field House, located at 1000 South 220th.

The cast of children from the Des Moines area have been perfecting their acting skills all week with help from talented actors from this established, traveling troupe.

This is an adventure story about a boy who runs off to sea only to find himself all alone and under fire before making it back home.

Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 3-12.

Children 2 and under are free.

For more information: (206) 870-6527 or email: recreation@desmoineswa.gov.

Whats going on here in town?

Lately, it seems that all our fun is being ripped from our hands.

As a kid growing up here in the area, summers were great.  And one of the things that I remember the most is camping at Salt Water State Park.  Well, what happened?

Without any warning, the camping spots have all been removed.  There will be no more camping at the park.  Whaaaatt??  This was the last campground in the entire Seattle area, that was still “in town” and now its gone.  What happened?  I asked the park ranger, and he said talk to you local rep!  Now, it seems that they have been doing quite a lot of construction down there, I dont know what for, there is never any signs posting what is going on down there.

A few weeks ago, I see that they have installed a booth at the entrance to the park.

Are they going to start charging us to use the park now?  What’s next, are they going to take the entire marina away from us too… Oh wait, they already did that.

What’s next?  Where is all the money going, and why do they keep closing down things that bring in money, like the campgrounds, boat lift, marina…  Are they still planning on spending millions on that stupid dragon on the jetty?

I am just frustrated with the fact that there are getting to be less and less things to do with the family.  Even going to the park (Saltwater)now is going to cost us money.

And what are they planning to do with the marina down there?  Anyone know?

- Josh
Des Moines

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The City of Des Moines is starting a Youth Sailing Program that will offer sailing experiences to boys and girls ages 11 to 18, with the first session beginning Monday, Aug. 2nd.

The program will offer on-the-water sailing instruction in 14-foot sailboats and dockside learning activities. The sessions will be held at the Des Moines Marina and are designed for kids with little or no sailing experience.

The course will cover safety on the water, sailing basics, sailboat nomenclature, wind awareness, rigging, rules of the road, and boating etiquette. Instructors in power boats will accompany the students in the boats while they are on the water.

The fee for a one-week session is $130 and some scholarships are available. Registration forms are available at the City of Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department, 1000 South 220th Street in Des Moines. The Phone number is 206-870-6527.

Students need sneakers, appropriate clothing and a Coast Guard approved life jacket, preferably the kayak type. Students will also be required to take a float test on the first day of class. The test will be conducted at Mount Rainier Pool.

Session dates are:

• Session 1: August 2 – 6 Start time 1:00 pm
• Session 2: August 9 – 13 Start time 1:00 pm
• Session 3: August 16 – 20 Start time 5:00 pm
• Session 4: August 23 – 27 Start Time 1:00 pm

To download registration documents, click here (Word .doc file), or call Des Moines Parks at (206) 870-6527.

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Des Moines 8th annual Sports Night is coming Saturday, May 15th, from 6pm – 11pm at the Des Moines Field House, with casino games, auctions, prizes, a buffet and beer and wine.

Legendary KOMO Sports Director Bruce King will emcee, and auctioneer Larry Snyder Jr. will keep you as entertained as a 9th inning, bases loaded full count with Griffey at bat!

All proceeds will benefit youth scholarships in the Greater Des Moines Community, and is sponsored by the Des Moines Legacy Foundation, Rotary Club of Des Moines, Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Parks District and Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services.

Tickets are available at the Field House, located at 1000 South 220th Street, or via phone at 206-870-6527.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines 8th annual Sports Night

WHEN: Saturday, May 15th from 6pm – 11pm

WHERE: Des Moines Field House, located at 1000 South 220th Street

COST: $50 per person / $375 per table. Tickets are available at the Field House, located at 1000 South 220th Street, or via phone at 206-870-6527.

INFO: From an email:

Join Des Moines Legacy Foundation, Rotary Club of Des Moines, Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Parks District and Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services as they volunteer a night for kids and community at the 8th annual Des Moines Legacy Foundation Sports Night Auction, benefiting the Youth Scholarship fund for Des Moines youth recreation opportunities.

Purchase your tickets today to join emcee Bruce King and community volunteers for Casino games of chance, a fully catered barbecue meal and beer provided by the Ram Restaurant and Brewery, and auction – all to give kids a chance to play.

Our 2010 Live and Silent Auction items will feature unique items to bid on, including one-of-a-kind University of Washington football mementos; a Marcus Trufant autographed football and the legendary wheelbarrow full of assorted beers.

Join us on May 15th for a night of fun and chance – and give kids a chance!

For more information:  206-870-6527

SPONSORS: There are several ways to show your support:

• Sports Night Sponsor – Give a gift of money
• Donate Auction Items (Goods or Services) – Both Live and Silent auction valued at $50. Or more
• Donate a Raffle or Door Prize – Valued at $25. Or less

Any level of support is greatly appreciated!

More info at their Facebook page, or here.

Here’s the poster:

The folks at the Des Moines Parks and Recreation Department alert us to the fact that they’ll be holding two Spring Break Camps for kids at the Field House.

The schedule of course varies, as the Federal Way School District’s break is from March 29-April 2, while Highline’s is April 5 – 9.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Des Moines Parks is holding two Spring Break Camps for both Federal Way and Highline School Districts.

WHEN: Both will go from 6:30am-6:00pm, and, depending on your school:

• FEDERAL WAY SCHOOL DISTRICT – March 29-April 2
• HIGHLINE SCHOOL DISTRICT April 5 – April 9

WHERE: Des Moines Field House Studio, 1000 S 220th Street

INFO: Ages: K-6th Grade

COST:

• Resident Discount Fee $34/day or $150/week
• Non Resident Fee $36/day or $160/week

ENROLLMENT: 5 min/40 max

For more information, contact the Parks & Rec Department here.

Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services entered a new era of communication on March 2nd with the launch of the ‘Rec ‘n Roll’ marketing campaign, which includes a new monthly electronic newsletter, a Facebook page, and new branding.

Here’s what the good Parksfolk had to say about it:

Intended to streamline communication with the public, cut costs of disseminating information and brand up department marketing, ‘Rec ‘n Roll’ is an exciting new look for a department that continues to roll along despite city budget cuts. Campaign goals also include cultivating new captive audiences to boost program participation – come share in the fun as we roll into a new era!

Along with the new marketing campaign, the department is implementing new ideas to add to the quality of life and healthy play opportunities for our region. New opportunities will include a free Zumba kick off event -a free introductory course – Monday, March 8th at 6pm at the Field House and a new summer baseball camp featuring instruction by Milwaukee Brewers NW Regional Scouting Supervisor Brandon Newell and Mt. Rainier High School Varsity baseball coach Darren Rawie. Campers ages 7-15 will learn America’s Pastime from some of the best baseball minds in the region from July 25th-28th. Parents-watch for a new look to summer camp KHAOS, too!

To roll with Des Moines Parks, Recreation & Senior Services, sign up to receive your ‘Rec ‘n Roll’ newsletter by emailing recreation@desmoineswa.gov with the subject ‘Rec ‘n Roll.’ Include your first & last name and an email address in the body and we’ll add you to the distribution list.

Facebook users – click here to become a Fan, and suggest it to your friends. Help us spread the word that in Des Moines, Rec ‘n Roll is here to stay!

We tip our collective internet social networking marketing caps to DM Parks & Rec; here’s a screenshot of the e-newsletter:

by Janet Grella

A standing room-only crowd gathered in the Des Moines City Council chambers at City Hall on Thursday, Oct. 8th. At issue was the reported closing of the Parks and Recreation Department in order to balance the 2010 city budget (we first broke this news Tuesday, Oct. 6th).

Parents, kids, citizens and parks employees packed the chamber to speak out to save the city’s Parks and Recreation department from the budget chopping block. In an unusual move, the seven member council led by Mayor Bob Sheckler spoke first – before they heard from the crowd. They showed a united front in keeping the department up and running in 2010 and beyond.

In Mayor Scheckler’s opinion, “Parks and Recreation define what a community is. The number of people here tells me that everyone cares about this issue.” In taking full responsibiliy tor the future of Park and Recreation, Mayor Sheckler assured the crowded room that “the buck stops here” (at council).

Councilmember Dave Kaplan said “No one supports eliminating Parks and Rec. The city manager is paid to propose solutions. He assured the audience that council “work from facts to make informed decisions, but in the end there will be cuts” (in park and recs).

Susan White stated that “she will not support cutting Parks and Rec.” She, like others on the council are “dismayed that The Waterland Blog had this news before councilmembers were advised.”

Before audience comments started, City Manager Tony Piasecki apoligized for the way the story broke and that he was “sorry council did not get the story first.” He assured the audience that “no rock will be left unturned when finding budget cuts.”

Throughout the rest of the evening, 25 speakers took the podium to plead their case for the Parks and Rec department. They included seniors, parents, Park and Rec employees and children who have benefitted from the program.

Registered speakers started with Georgie Nupen, who acknowledged that “These poor guys are only trying to do their jobs.” she added that parks and rec “assures a quality of life and that parks and rec is a crime prevention” solution for Des Moines.

Mysty Beal and her son Andy, a student at Pacific Middle School, shared the podium. Andy told the overflow crowd and the council members with regards to the proposed elimination of Parks and Rec, speaking for students throughout Des Moines pleaded: “don’t take it out on the kids. I am begging you to keep Parks and Rec!”

Greg Johnson attended the meeting with “the expectation to convince councilmembers to keep Park and Recs open. But I am encouraged by council’s point of view on the issue”, he added.

Harry Steinmetz said “Parks and Rec is the fabric of this community. The before and after school programs are essential to the parents and children of our community. The sports programs insure a quality of life.” He concluded by saying that “I urge very strongly to find something else to cut.”

Parks and Rec employee Helena Caldwell told the audience that she “came up through the system. I was in the first after school program as a child. I attended Camp Khaos. Parks and Rec was my first job.”

Criminal Defense Attorney David Gerhke warned that if Parks and Rec is eliminated the city will have to raise their courts and police budgets. He further praised the fundraiser efforts of Bob Houston of Parks and Rec.

Rebecca King added that “our parks and recreation program is a beautiful program. For years I have entrusted my child with strangers day in and day out.”

Don Riecks, Des Moines resident and planning commission member spoke out to “keep the programs that people are using, cut the ones that they aren’t.”

Over the course of the comments, several people suggested that in 2009 city staffers received a 4% cost of living and benefits raise. Prior to adjournment of this part of the council meeting, Mayor Sheckler asked Piasecki to explain the reality of this charge.

Piasecki told the audience that:

• Police did indeed receive a 5% COLA, but gave up “other parts” of their revenue package to earn a 2.4% increase;
• The “teamsters” were to receive a 7% increase; they agreed to 5% and five furlough days for a 2.4% total increase;
• General employees received a 3% increase and agreed to five furlough days. Actual pay increase for these folks came in at .4%;
• The executive team took no raise and a new lower insurance policy effectively keeping them at no increase ’08/’09;
• The “exempt” staff also agreed to no pay increase

Piasecki is currently in negotiations with all these factions of the city staffers for their 2010 pay increases.

Mayor Sheckler concluded the meeting by saying “we’ve got a great city staff. It’s like a big family. Everyone’s pitching in in the city.”

The last of the five day furloughs that staffers agreed on is Monday – “City Hall will be closed,” advised the Mayor.

City Manager Tony Piasecki Thursday (Oct. 8th) responded to concerns that one of his proposals to offset an anticipated $2 million revenue shortfall in 2010 includes elimination of the Parks and Recreation Division of the Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Department.

“Cutting the Parks and Recreation Department is one of many options included on a list of potential ways to balance the 2010 budget,” Piasecki said. “But I can only make suggestions. Ultimately the City Council will decide what programs and services to cut to balance the budget.”

He stressed, “It’s important to note that senior services is not on the list of possible cuts.”

Piasecki noted that the general fund budget first proposed for 2009 was based on anticipated revenue of $18 million. In early 2009, given the economic downturn, staff reduced revenue estimates for 2009 by $1 million and the City Council reduced expenditures accordingly, including cutting a total of 10 positions from the Planning, Building, Finance, City Clerk, Legal, and Human Resources departments.

Now the 2010 budget will be based on total revenues of only $15.1 million—a reduction in revenue of almost $3 million in less than two years. Revenue from sales taxes, property taxes, B&O (business) taxes, utility taxes, and building fees are all projected to be less than 2009 and 2008 levels.

In order to balance the 2010 budget, he said the City will have to slash another $2 million from programs and services.

If the City Council accepts every proposal that the city manager has submitted to them—a list of proposals that includes cuts in the Police budget—the balance in the City’s General and Street Funds combined will equal $1.3 million.

“Maintaining a reasonable fund balance is a financially prudent thing to do,” Piasecki noted. “Given the uneven way revenues come in during the year, these funds allow us to pay our bills, particularly at the beginning of the year. Right now we’re using emergency reserve funds to create our general fund balance, and that’s not good financial management.”

Deciding where to cut the 2010 budget “is definitely a process,” Piasecki said. “My initial recommendations are just a starting point for discussion. Staff is looking for additional reductions to suggest to Council, including in the Police Department, since it comprises 50 percent of our budget.

“We welcome and encourage our citizens to attend council meetings and participate by giving their input to staff and the council. Making additional cuts in the Police budget can be difficult,’ he added, “given the restrictions the levy lid lift places on us.”

Piasecki said if the City Council adopts the proposal to cut parks and recreation programs, “all options will be explored to find ways to keep programs open, especially programs like before- and after-school programs.”

He added, “This particular proposal includes keeping a recreation coordinator position and a park maintenance position, with the intent that they will work to keep and create programs that can pay for themselves. We will also look at public/private partnerships and concession agreements.”

The problem is that recreation fees, generally, do not cover the full cost of providing the programs because they don’t recoup the costs of maintaining fields and facilities – nor do they cover the cost of necessary overhead and administrative functions such as payroll, accounting, advertising , human resources, and related functions.

On Wednesday(Oct. 7th)  at the Candidate’s Forum at the Des Moines Senior Activity Center, Mayor Bob Sheckler had the following to say with regards to the proposal put forth Tuesday by Tony Piasecki, City Manager of Des Moines:

“It is the city manager’s responsibility to give options, and it is up the council to take action on them.

People need to be cautious about their response.

It was not recommended that any senior services would be cut. But there are numerous other things that can be done. For instance, a Park District can be created. We can sell concessions at the parks to create a revenue stream. We can look to the outside for a third party to run the sports programs.

The council only now is looking at options.”

As Des Moines apparently has a $2 million shortfall, these options will be discussed starting tomorrow and will continue every Thursday in October at city council meetings.

Incumbent candidates speaking at the forum who came out in opposition to cutting Parks services included Carmen Scott and Susan White.

“I am in shock and awe on the parks story,” said Carmen Scott. “I’m in total support of parks, recreation and seniors,” she added.

White said that the option to cut the park and rec budget “is a bit of a reckless decision. Parks and Rec has a budget of $1.1 million, and it brings in $800,000. I will not be in favor of cutting Parks and Rec.”

So…what do YOU think about this issue? Please take our poll or post a Comment below…

by Brenda Anders-Larson

BREAKING NEWS: On Tuesday (Oct. 6th), Des Moines City Manager Tony Piasecki proposed a blockbuster of a budget cut – the full elimination of all Des Moines Parks and Recreation programs.

Wednesday’s city council candidate forum (at Noon at the Des Moines Activity Center, 2045 South 216th St.) will be the soonest event that will allow for public comments.

Residents are encouraged to come ask questions of the candidates.

The city council will have to vote on this proposal to finalize it, but these cuts are major – here’s a list of the programs that would be eliminated should this proposal be approved:

• ALL BEFORE AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS CANCELED FOR:
  • Parkside
  • North Hill
  • Midway
  • Marvista
  • Des Moines
• CAMP KHAOS CANCELED
• ALL PARKS CLOSED:
  • Steven J Underwood Park CLOSED
  • Field House Park CLOSED
  • Beach Park CLOSED
  • And more
• ALL SPORTS PROGRAMS
  • Basketball
  • Soccer
  • Volleyball
  • Exercise programs
  • And more
• ALL COMMUNITY SPECIAL EVENTS CANCELED
  • Halloween carnival
  • Easter hunt
  • Fireworks
  • And more

Council meetings will be every Thursday throughout October, and public comments are always encouraged.

On Friday (4/24), the King County Housing Authority and Federal Way Public Schools Americorps teams, in conjunction with Washington State Parks, hosted an Earth Day Fair at Saltwater State Park in Des Moines, and here’s a photo slideshow, shot by Photographer Michael Brunk:

Click to View

The City of Des Moines is currently updating the Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Master Plan for years 2010-2016, and they’re seeking feedback from residents to help shape it.

The Plan provides a strong vision and direction for parks, open space, recreation facilities, and services and programs for Des Moines, and your voice can help to shape the future of the Des Moines Community.

A Master Plan Citizens Committee is hard a work evaluating existing park and recreation facility conditions to establish priorities for parks and open space, recreation and senior services property acquisition, development and ongoing repairs and maintenance of recreation facilities to provide an equitable distribution of resources and a variety of accessible recreation opportunities for all Des Moines citizens.

Some question the city is looking for your feedback include:

• Are there adequate parks and recreation facilities to serve your neighborhood?
• Is there a need for more sports fields, play equipment, or other park amenities?
• Are city parks well maintained?
• Should more funds be spent on park and facility maintenance or should parks and recreation facilities receive reduced maintenance or be closed to the public during tough economic times?
• Should the city continue to fund Mt. Rainier Pool operations?
• Does the city need a new community center?
• Should the city restore its historic landmarks such as the Field House Park Grandstand and the Beach Park Dining Hall for public use?
• Are you satisfied with the quality of the city’s recreation, senior services and cultural programs and community events?

Please print and complete this questionnaire (PDF, requires Adobe Reader) and return it using one of the following methods:

Fax to: 206-870-6587

Drop off at:

• Des Moines Activity Center
• City Hall
• Des Moines Field House

Or mail it to:

City of Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services
1000 S. 220th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

Or, you may complete the questionnaire online at: www.desmoineswa.gov/2009parkssurvey

Completed questionnaires are due by March 31, 2009

The City of Des Moines is currently updating the Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Master Plan for years 2010-2016, and they’re seeking resident feedback by March 31st in the form of a short survey.

Here are the details:

Please print and complete the following questionnaire and return it using one of the following methods:

• 2010-2016 Master Plan Questionnaire (PDF, requires free Adobe Reader)

Fax to:

• 206-870-6587

Drop off at:

• Des Moines Activity Center
• City Hall
• Des Moines Field House

Mail it to:

City of Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services
1000 S. 220th Street
Des Moines, WA 98198

You may also complete the questionnaire online by clicking here: www.desmoineswa.gov/2009parkssurvey

Completed questionnaires are due by March 31, 2009