Have you been lucky to catch a sunrise or a sunset lately? The colors have been quite spectacular, and on clear days offer a magnificent backdrop for a stroll through local parks. Be sure to bundle up, as the wind gusts will quickly chill fingers and toes. Our teams are currently working through numerous year-end tasks. This is also an opportunity to reflect on successes and challenges we've experienced. We take great pride in our work, and recently it has been noted beyond Snoqualmie Valley. The District earned a risk management award from the AWC Risk Management Service Agency commending Si View's dedication to excellent risk management practices. The Torguson Park skatepark constructed by Grindline received 1st Place in the American Concrete Institute’s Excellence in Concrete Construction Awards. The skatepark won the international award in the Decorative Concrete category. The Tollgate Farmstead Project has been selected as the recipient of the John D. Spellman Award for Exemplary Achievement in Historic Preservation in the restoration category. These are just few of the highlights, we'll have more in the Year In Review report next month. The year hasn't been without its challenges, specifically with the ongoing concerns of the status of the aging Si View Pool. The pool continues to operate, for now, on borrowed time.

It's also the holiday season. The month is filled with community celebrations and ways to share and care for your neighbors. Si View Community Center is one of many Kiwanis Giving Tree locations where you can brighten the holidays for a local child in need with a gift of new unwrapped toys. Stop by to pick up a gift tag before you head out shopping this season. Saturday Dec 2, 9AM-3PM is a wonderful opportunity to shop for unique gifts from local vendors at the annual Si View Holiday Bazaar. With the holidays, there are some upcoming schedule changes. In addition, the Community Center will be closed for annual maintenance from December 18 to January 1. This is a time when the floors get refinished along with other noisier projects that can't be completed during normal center use. We look forward to welcoming you back to the center in the New Year. Over the holiday break Si View winter break camp operates at Meadowbrook Farm, and the Si View Pool has a drop-in program schedule. Check out our holiday schedules at the bottom of this email.

And finally, before you head out for the holidays, take a look at our winter program line up, and register for a new activity. We offer lots of great options to keep you active and learning throughout the winter season. Financial-need based scholarships are available.

See you at local parks!

It is bittersweet that we bid farewell to excellent Si View Metro Parks Commissioner Catherine Fredenburg. We appreciate her commitment and service to our community and wish her well. Commissioner Fredenburg's vision and selfless desire to better the quality of lives for all Valley residents by reducing barriers to participation through diverse programming is admirable. Her background in education and active participation and support of youth and family recreation programs has kept her well informed and abreast of the needs of many Snoqualmie Valley families. Always prepared and informed, ready to ask tough questions, Commissioner Fredenburg's professionalism has made park district discussions and decisions productive and robust. Thank you for helping us improve the quality of life for the many residents of our growing Valley!

It's time to plan ahead for Winter activities! Our new seasonal activity guide is now available. Print copies were direct mailed out to North Bend and Snoqualmie areas this week, and the online version can be viewed here. Our Winter season lineup includes everything from after school programs to new fitness classes, family fun events, team sports, swim lessons, dance and much more.

Be sure to register early for best selection! Registration for all programs, except aquatics, opens Friday December 8th. Signing up is easy online, and you can also register by calling (425) 831-1900. Registration for aquatic programs opens Friday December 15th. District residents have a priority registration period that opens 7:00AM. Open enrollment begins at 12:00PM. You can learn more about our new aquatic program priority registration policy here.

November General Election results have been certified. Proposition 1, with 56.32% of votes in favor, did not reach the required 60% super majority to pass. This outcome is disappointing news to the majority of our District voters who have been in support of a new community pool for several years. Thank you to everyone who voted! The Park District will continue to work with residents to determine the future of public aquatic services in our community. The concerns regarding the condition of Si View Pool remain unchanged. After 85 years in service, every aspect of the pool is on borrowed time. We will continue to provide our residents access to aquatic programs until our resources are no longer adequate to sustainably do so.

Tollgate Farmstead Project has been selected to receive the 2023 King County Executive’s John D. Spellman Award for Exemplary Achievement in Historic Preservation in the Restoration category.  This award commends the efforts to revitalize the Tollgate Farm site for use by local agricultural producers and the community by restoring the historic house and rebuilding the barn.

The John D. Spellman Awards recognize achievements in historic preservation. The awards are presented once a year by the King County Executive. Spellman was the first King County Executive and 18th governor of Washington. He established the County’s Historic Preservation Program in 1980. 

The Cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie, in partnership with Si View Metropolitan Park District, and Meadowbrook Farm Preservation Association, are increasing the number of pedestrian trails at Meadowbrook Prairie. This project includes trail connections through Meadowbrook Prairie to Snoqualmie Middle School, Centennial Fields Park, and the Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center. Under a separate grant, new interpretive signage was prepared in consultation with the Snoqualmie Tribe that helps to tell the rich history of the original Snoqualmie Prairie, baqwab, and its importance, management, and use by the Snoqualmie Tribe throughout history. The project design considers impacts to the Prairie Lands and wildlife, encouraging individuals using trails to be mindful and respectful while visiting the Prairie. This project is partially funded by King County Parks Levy Grant Program. It is currently in design, with construction planned for 2024. You can view a larger image of the project map here.

Free Winter Break Ice Skate Fri Dec 15, 2pm

Kick off the winter break with a FREE community ice skating event at Sno-King Ice Arenas in Snoqualmie! Dress up in your favorite holiday attire, skate to great tunes, visit with Santa, and create lasting memories with your friends and family! Advance registration is required as space is limited.

Monday December 18-Monday January 1

Si View Community Center is closed for annual maintenance. Si View Pool is on modified holiday schedule.

Friday December 22, Christmas Eve observed

The administration office closes at 12, noon. Winter Break Camp is open at Meadowbrook Farm.

Monday December 25, Christmas Day

All facilities closed.

Friday December 29, New Year's Eve observed

The administration office closes at 12, noon. Winter Break Camp is open at Meadowbrook Farm.

Monday January 1, New Year's Day

All facilities closed.