Friday, April 1, 2022

Parks Ready For Spring Season

Spring is here, and all City park restrooms are now available for the season. Restrooms will be opened in the mornings and closed in the evenings. The Irene Rinehart Riverfront Park access road will open on Monday, April 4. It will be opened each morning and closed each evening. Our crews are excited for warmer weather, and hope to see everyone enjoying the parks!

Reserve Park Picnic Shelters Online

Ellensburg Parks & Recreation is now taking park picnic shelter reservations for events occurring between June 1 – October 2, 2022. Anything outside of those dates is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Check availability, make your reservation, and pay online. It's quick and easy to secure your park picnic shelter reservation on the City website.

Eggstravaganza Events

The Parks Department is hosting the eggstravaganza hunt events on Friday, April 15. See below for details on the dog biscuit hunt and the flashlight egg scramble. Both are free to participants.

Library Launches Free Seed Sharing Project

The Ellensburg Public Library is pleased to announce a new seed sharing library that will give community members access to free produce seeds that can be used to start a garden at home. Bookworms to Earthworms Seed Share is a free seed project committed to providing equitable access to seeds and increasing the capacity of the community to feed itself wholesome food by fostering community, resilience, and self-reliance through a culture of sharing. 

To participate, fill out a membership form in the binder located by the seed library at the Ellensburg Public Library, then choose up to five seed packets, each from a different type or variety of plant.

Learn more

Parking & Pearl Street Promenade — Update

The Ellensburg City Council at its March 21 meeting reviewed the findings from the 2019 parking study report. Council recommended creating a parking team to go through the parking recommendations and develop a plan to provide direction for investment. The team will include the Ellensburg Downtown Association, businesses, and City staff. 

The Council voted to maintain current policy for temporary street closures (which removed the seasonal and permanent closure options for Pearl Street) and focus on the Unity Park design.

Learn more

Helena Avenue Improvements

The Complete Streets Helena Avenue Project improvements from Water Street to Airport Road are well underway. Curb, gutter, and sidewalk work are nearly complete. The project includes sidewalk gap infill, asphalt overlay, three new fire hydrants, new Central Transit bus shelter, traffic lane lines, pavement markings and sign revisions to add a bicycle lane. The project is partially funded by a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) Complete Streets grant, Sidewalk Fund, Transit Fund, and Arterial Street Fund, with a total cost of approximately $1 million. The project is expected to wrap up in May.

Arbor Day Street Tree Giveaway

Apply to plant a free street tree this month! Any City resident may apply to plant a tree on City right-of-way. Pick up an application for a free tree starting Thursday, April 7, 2022, and return the completed application to City Hall, 501 N. Anderson St., no later than Thursday, April 21, 2022. Approved applicants will be notified and can pick up their tree at Central Nursery by Monday, May 2, 2022 and plant it. Trees are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call (509) 962-7230.

About City Boards & Commissions

Learn About The Parks & Recreation Commission

The Parks and Recreation Commission operates under the authority of Chapter 1.16 of the City Code and is responsible for:

• Making recommendations to the City Council pertaining to recreation programs and parks development and operation
• Encouraging and promoting all forms of recreation programs and activities that employ residents’ leisure time in a constructive and wholesome manner
• Periodically reviewing and making recommendations for revisions to the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan

There are seven Parks and Recreation Commission members, a majority of which must be City residents. The Commission will be involved with the Reed Park and Unity Park master planning processes.



Meetings are open to the public. Attend a meeting, in person at City Hall or virtually, at 5:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month.

Learn more

Conservation & Rebates

The City offers incentives and rebates to homeowners for qualifying purchases including: natural gas appliance upgrades, electric heat pump water heaters, and weatherization for customers with electric space heating systems. The City's conservation program also has rebates available through the Bonneville Power Administration to help businesses upgrade their electrical systems.

Learn more

Did You Know?

Did you know that it’s unlawful for any person to ride a horse, mare, or mule into any saloon or drinking house in the City? (ECC 5.38.040, Adopted in 1885)

Did you know there is a map on the City website that you can use to access information about your property? Check it out here: https://gis.cityofellensburg.org/eburgmap/

Save The Date

First Friday Art Walk 4/1

Join the Ellensburg Arts Commission, artists, and downtown venues for First Friday Art Walk from 5-7 p.m.

EthicsLab – The Good Life Community Discussions: 4/5

April 5, 2022 at 6 p.m. at Hal Holmes Community Center

A new monthly program that gives Ellensburg community members the opportunity to explore what it means to live well. Each meeting will feature several brief presentations before group discussion and dialogue. Brought to you by the CWU EthicsLab, the Ellensburg Public Library, and the Hal Holmes Community Center. 

Adult Activity Center Open House 4/12

Join the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission at the Adult Activity Center (AAC) Open House on April 12 from 1:30-3 p.m., and see what the AAC is all about. There will be coffee, fruit punch, and cookies. Come ask questions and try out some activities such as shuffle board, table tennis, and more.

Location: 506 S. Pine St. Ellensburg, WA 98926

Dog Biscuit Hunt 4/15

Bring your four-legged friends down to the Rotary Off-Leash Dog Park at 6 p.m. Friday, April 15 for a fun biscuit and chew toy hunt. A handler 16 years of age or older must accompany all participants. Great fun for dogs and their people! Free to participate.

Flashlight Egg Scramble 4/15

When the park gets dark, find eggs, candy, and prizes! Join the Flashlight Egg Scramble at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15 at the Rotary Park Softball Area. Over 4,000 candy and surprise filled eggs are scattered throughout our listed areas for kids to find. Bring your own flashlight and basket. Free to participate.

Ages 1-4* Roped area

Ages 5-8 Softball field #1

Ages 9-12 Softball field #2

*Youth must be able to pick up their own eggs.

Calendar

Agendas & Minutes

Be Heard Eburg