May 5, 2006
Spend some time at King County Parks events this May
2006 Archived News
Throughout May, King County Parks will deliver world-renowned circus performers, master bike racers, local track stars and great recreational opportunities directly to the region's backyard.
Whether spending a night under the Cirque du Soleil's Grand Chapiteau at Marymoor Park, or volunteering for some "yard work" park restoration, King County's parks are great places to have fun. The event schedule for May includes:
Marymoor Park
May 4 -- June 4, with extended dates for Cirque Club members
Cirque du Soleil presents "Varekai"
Cirque du Soleil - a celebrated theatrical show that mixes the arts of the circus and the street, and features original music, light effects and costumes - is presenting for the first time the live touring production of "Varekai" under its trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau at Marymoor Park. Show times and tickets are available at www.cirquedusoleil.com.
May 15 -- August 30
Monday and Wednesday Night Racing
Group Health Velodrome
The Monday and Wednesday Night Racing series develop bike racers for the Friday Night Racing series, presented by Group Health, which begins June 2. The Monday series is designed for juniors and new bike racers while the Wednesday series offers masters-only races. Spectator admission is free. Racing starts at 7 p.m. on Mondays, and 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.
May 20
American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure Bicycle Ride
The American Diabetes Association's Puget Sound area Tour de Cure is not a race but a scenic ride featuring four routes designed for every level of cycling ability with 25, 50, 70 or 100 mile options. Funds raised will help in the fight to prevent and cure diabetes. All routes begin and end at Marymoor Park. Register at www.diabetes.org/tour.
King County Greenhouse, Maple Valley
Saturdays -- 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Native Tree Potting
Volunteers are needed to pot native trees and shrubs at the King County Greenhouse. The pots provide temporary homes for the plants until they are ready to be planted in parks, forests or at various restoration sites. This is a great activity for all ages. To register, contact Tina Miller at 206-296-2990 or tina.miller@kingcounty.gov.
King County Fairgrounds
May 19-21
Washington State Search and Rescue Conference
Learn the latest in search and rescue technology at this event, hosted by the King County Search and Rescue Association and the King County Sheriff's Office. For more information, visit www.wasar2006.org.
Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park
May 20
Cougar Mountain Running Series
This five-mile race marks the beginning of the annual Cougar Mountain Running Series. The series consists of four races, one occurring each month during summer. The entry fee is $25 per race or $80 for all four races. Proceeds go toward King County Parks restoration projects. Register online at www.seattlerunningcompany.com/Events/.
May 27 -- 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Red Town Meadow Restoration
Volunteer for the Red Town Meadow Project at Cougar Mountain to reestablish a small meadow at the site of an historic ballpark in Red Town, located three miles east of Newcastle. Work includes weeding, mulching and planting. To register, contact Jenny Bauer of the Washington Native Plant Society, at 425-836-3461 or jenjon@seanet.com
King County Aquatic Center
King County Aquatic Center
May 6-7 - 11:30 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m.
May Flowers Swimming Invitational
This popular annual event, hosted by the Bellevue Club swim team, is a long-course competition with races held in a 50-meter course setting, the same as the summer Olympics. Spectator admission is free. For more information including the daily schedule of events, visit http://www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=pnws2 or call the Pacific Northwest Swimming office at 253-852-0680.
May 13
Pacific Northwest Regional ROV Competition (Remote Operated Vehicles)
Six high school teams from Washington, Oregon and Canada will compete in this regional remote operated underwater vehicles competition by performing missions in the 17 foot-deep dive tank. Hosted by the Marine Advanced Technology Education Center of Monterey Peninsula College, the contest is a qualifying event for the 5th annual International Competition held at NASA Johnson Space Center in June. Spectator admission is free. For more information visit http://www.mpcfaculty.net/jill_zande/PacificNW_contest.htm.
May 13 – 11:30 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m.
Pacific Northwest Swimposium Swim Camp
This one-day camp is open to registered Pacific Northwest members of USA Swimming and includes training sessions for athletes and classroom presentations for parents, coaches and officials. For more information contact Mike Dunwiddie at 206-296-4547.
May 19 -1:30 p.m.
May 20-21 – 11:30 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m.
Pacific Coast Swimming Invitational
More than 600 athletes from six states and Canada are expected to attend this three-day, long-course swimming competition. Spectator admission is free. For more information including the daily schedule of events, visit http://www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=pnws2 or call the Pacific Northwest Swimming office at 253-852-0680.
May 26 – 8 a.m.
May 27-28 – 11:30 a.m. -- 1:30 p.m.
Memorial Weekend Water Polo Invitational
This new water polo invitational, hosted by the Washington Water Polo Club, will run in an elimination-round format leading up to the final matches Sunday afternoon. For more information visit www.waspclub.com.
King County manages 25,400 acres of parks, pools, open space, natural land and trails. This includes 68 baseball fields, 61 soccer fields, four pools, 88 picnic areas, 34 playgrounds, 27 tennis courts, 13 boat launch sites, more than 175 miles of trails, six fishing piers, four community gardens, a climbing rock, the area's best off-leash dog park and memorial pet garden, plus the world-class Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center.
