The new Howelsen Skate Park project is underway after the Skate Park Steering Committee concluded its series of design meetings. After a month-long process, the features for the new skate park have been identified and crews are set to drop in on production later this summer. The Skate Park Steering Committee was comprised of a diverse group of the local skateboarding community, which met several times to help guide the process. The committee included a combination of adults representing various local organizations, as well as, local youth ranging from Elementary to High School students, Parks & Recreation staff, and two professional skateboarders. The new park will include over 40 features and incorporates numerous state-of-the-art elements including ramps, rails, boxes, ledges, and stairs.

Join us at Howelsen Hill this Sunday for the Howie Wowie Wave Bash. Enjoy a fun and festive Ski Free Sunday on February 26. Snow or shine, dress in your best tropical ensemble. We are talking straw hats, leis, and festive Hawaiian shirts! Crews will be sculpting a unique quarter pipe feature "The Wave" and everyone of all ages, disciplines, and abilities is invited to come shred on Sunday. The Wave will open at 11 AM and there will be a on-hour thrown down competition from 12 PM to 1 PM for a chance to win great prizes from our event partners. As always, skiing will be FREE all day from 10 AM to 4 PM. Don't forget to stop by the Outrun Snack Bar for cold drinks, tasty treats, and delicious items from the grill to keep you fueled for a fun day on the slopes!

If you are looking for a safe, supervised, and fun way for your kids to spend some time with friends, while giving you an affordable and much needed night out, look no further! The next Kids Night Out is coming up on Friday, March 3. Your kids will enjoy time with friends while watching a movie (Lyle Lyle Crocodile) and enjoying a delicious dinner of pizza, fruit, and other healthy snacks. Plenty of time will be given at the beginning of the night for free play before diving into dinner and the movie. Kids Night Out takes place from 6 PM to 9 PM at the Howelsen Ice Arena upstairs event space and the cost is $30. Advanced registration is requested, so make sure to reserve your spot today!

Join members from Routt County Search & Rescue for a fun demo day at Howelsen Hill. See what it takes to be a mountain first responder, while learning important outdoor skills to help keep you and your family safe in the backcountry. This fun event is open to all Routt County Middle School and High School students (grades 6-12) and will take place on Monday, February 27 from 5 PM to 7:30 PM. Participants will need to have their own transportation to/from Howelsen Hill and a pizza dinner will be provided. The cost is only $10 and advanced registration is required, so make sure to sign up no later than Sunday, February 26.

Bump, Set, Spike! Parks & Recreation will be hosting a 4v4 Blind Draw Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, March 12 at the Sleeping Giant School Gym. Doors will open at 10:30 AM and matches will run from 11 AM to 5 PM. Those who are interested can register as a pair or as a free agent. Participants will then be paired with other players to form teams of four. Each game will include two sets to 21 points. The total number of sets won by each team in pool play will determine seeding going into bracket play. Prizes will be awarded to first and second place. The cost is $60/pair and $30/free agents. Advanced registration is required and will close at 11:30 PM on March 11.

A friendly reminder that the city's free Christmas Tree Recycling program will be coming to an end this month. If you have any lingering trees, please make sure to drop them off at Emerald Park by Tuesday, February 28. Trees can be dropped off in the northwest corner of the Emerald Park parking lot. The city will take it just like you found it, au naturale. This means all tinsel, ornaments, lights, nails, etc., must be removed before you drop it off. Sorry, no wreaths accepted. The trees will be mulched and provided to residents on a first come, first serve basis later this spring.

We all enjoy doing what we love, and when your job is fun, it really doesn't feel like a job does it? Parks & Recreation is currently hiring a number of part-time and seasonal positions that offer end-of-season bonuses and other perks like ski and skate passes. Looking to take that next step in your career? We also have several full-time benefitted positions available. Join our team and enjoy what we all love about Steamboat Springs - community and the great outdoors! Don't delay, apply today!

Several of the SSWSC community events will be wrapping up at the beginning of March. The Carl's Cup Scholarship Race Series will host the last race of the season on Wednesday, March 1. The race series, now in it's 41st season, benefits a travel fund to help send SSWSC athletes to races across the country and the globe. Also, the Hitchens Brothers' Wednesday Night Jump Series will end on March 8. The event is FREE and open to kids ages 8-13 years old. If you are not already enrolled in the SSWSC, but want to give it a try, online registration is available in advance. Good luck and thanks for another great season of fun community competitions.