Mercer Island Parks & Recreation
August, 2016
Who loves August more than Mercer Island Parks & Recreation and the Mercer Island Arts Council?

No one! Our summer culminates with a wide variety of outdoor play, volunteering, camping, music, theater, movies, and more. We love to play in our parks, and with weather like this, how can you stay inside?

See below for more about August at Mercer Island Parks & Recreation.

Photo credit: Heidi Rose Watters
UPCOMING EVENTS
MI Women's Equality Day  
 
Join us for the 2016 Mercer Island Women's Equality Day!
 
The celebration will take place Thursday, August 25, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, in Mercerdale Park. Stop by to hear guest speakers, and enjoy delectable sweet and savory food trucks, as well as music by Mercer Island's own local band, Exapsos.
 
On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution extended the vote to women - a major victory for women's rights and gender equality. On the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, Women's Equality Day, we celebrate the progress that has been made toward securing women's full participation in our democracy and renew our commitment to securing equal rights, freedoms, and opportunities for all women.

On August 1, Deputy Mayor Debbie Bertlin declared August 25 Mercer Island Women's Equality Day, in honor of National Women's Equality Day, on August 26! To view the proclamation, click here

Share in this wonderful opportunity for young women, families and students, encouraging growth and the empowerment of affecting change.
  
Camp Burbank Community Campout  
 
Camp Burbank's Community Campout is a gre at way to "get away from it
all" and still be close to home. We do all the hard work like cooking, cleaning and coming up with FUN things for you to do. All you are responsible for is your tent, personal items, and sleeping bags! Registration is required.   

Register now! Spots are filling fast. 
 
Course #: 16343
Ages:       All
Day:         Sat - Sun 
Dates:      Aug 13 - 14
Time:       12:00 pm - 12:00 pm 
Fee:         $45 Ages 13+
                $35 Ages 4 - 12
                $5 Ages 1 - 3
                Free 0 - 11 months
Location: Luther Burbank Park, Meadow
Mostly Music in the Park 
 
Join us in Mercerdale Park this month for the Mercer Island Arts Council's annual summer concert series. Concerts feature various bands 
and artists from around the region, performing a wide variety of music. Concerts are held on Thursdays, from 7:00-8:30 pm at Mercerdale Park in downtown Mercer Island. For more information, visit www.mercergov.org/mievents 
 
Thursday, August 4
Maya Soleil - Afro-World Fusion
 
Thursday, August 11
Jazz Underground - Contemporary Big Band Jazz
 
Thursday, August 18
Swamp Soul - Cajun/Zydeco
 




Thank you to our sponsors!
Shakespeare in the Park 
 
Summer Outdoor Theater! Sponsored by The Mercer Island Arts Counci
l, Wooden O presents two Shakespeare plays with multiple performances at the Luther Burbank Park amphitheater  this month.
  
With open seating and an outdoor setting, Wooden O brings the Shakespeare plays to life, engaging audiences of all ages. 

Aug 4 through Aug 7, starting at 7:00 pm

For more information, click here.  
Movies in the Park 
 
Join us for another great year of movies in Mercerdale!
 
The Good Dinosaur will be showing August 20, at 8:34 pm. 
 
FR
EE fa mily movies are shown on a giant inflatable screen in Mercerdale Park .
 
Participants should bring blankets, lawn chairs and flashlights. Movies are cancelled during inclement weather, so please call the MICEC to confirm showings on bad weather days. Fun crafts related to the movie will begin one hour before show time. Please check out our website, www.mercergov.org/MIevents for additional movie details. Flashlights, warm blankets, and chairs are encouraged. Refreshments sold on site.

 Thank you to our sponsor! 
JayMarc Homes, Smith Brothers Farms 
Letterboxing at Pioneer Park  
 
Letterboxes have been hidden in each of the three quadrants of Pioneer Park. Follow the directions and clues in your clue book to find the letterboxes. Bring your favorite stamp to show you were there!

Clue Books can be picked up at:
Return your Clue Book by Oct 31 to:

Be recognized by the Open Space Tru
st Conservancy Board in November! For more information, call (206) 275-7609 or: www.PlayonMercer.com.  
  
Thank you to our sponsor! Bark Avenue
     
FOREST STEWARDSHIP 
Summer Stewardship in the Forest 

August is an exciting time in Mercer Island parks! Letterboxing, Adventure Playground, and lots of music, movies, and theater. The fun continues in the forest! Join our stewardship team to continue celebrations in the summer glory of our forested parks. We will be removing invasive plants and caring for native plantings. All ages are welcome! We provide tools and supplies.
 
Saturday, August 20th, 10:00 - 2:00 pm.
Pioneer Park
Meet: parking lot. Register at www.earthcorps.org
 
Saturday, August 27th, 9:00 - 3:00 pm.
Gallagher Hill Open Space
Meet: City Hall parking lot, 9611 SE 36 th St. Register at www.mtsgreenway.org
 
  
                  Actaea rubra,a.k.a. Baneberry
Baneberry is a northwest native plant in the buttercup family. But watch out! This little beauty's berries, foliage, and roots are all highly poisonous. For more information, click here.
In This Issue...
Attention! Online class registration now at www.miRecConnect.com 
 
We have a NEW web name for online registration, and soon we will have a NEW recreation guide for 2016 fall/winter!

Fall/winter class registration begins online Monday, August 22, and in person at the MICEC and by phone Wednesday, August 24.
 
The online registration system you are familiar using ( www.myparksandrecreation.com) will no longer be used.
 
You can now go to www.miRecConnect.com to register for classes, using your same log-in and password.
 
We hope that you will find online registration easier, and with less steps. Please call our customer service staff, at (206) 275-7609 with any questions you may have.
Mercer Island Community & Event Center ( MICEC)
 

8236 SE 24th St.  
Mercer Island, WA 98040
(206) 275-7609  
   
MICEC Operating Hours 
M-Th 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Fri. 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sat. 8:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sun. 11:00 am - 5:00 pm 
 
Extended rental hours may be available upon request. For more information, email Kai Fulginiti. 
UPCOMING CAMPS
Gary Payton Youth Skills Academy
(Basketball Camp)
   
From rookie to veteran, this is a great camp! Each camper will receive an official camp t-shirt, signed 8"x10 " photo of the Glove, along wi th many other picture and autograph
opportunities. Each day will include a healthy balance of contests, giveaways and daily scrimmages. Other NBA affiliates are scheduled to appear pending availability. Registration is required.      
Age :       5 - 18 
Day :        Tue - Fri
Dates:      Aug 23 - 26
Time:       9:00-3:00 pm
Fee:        $325
LocationMICEC

Friday Flicks   
 
Drop in and enjoy a movie among peers: "The Judge," starring Robert Downey Jr. and Robert Duvall. Coffee will be provided!
 
Age:       All
Day:       Fri
Date
:      Aug 19
Time:     1:00 - 3:00 pm
Fee:        FREE

Location: MICEC  

For more information, call (206) 275-7609.
Lifeguard Shortage    
Due to a lifeguard staff shortage, we will be unable to provide lifeguards at Groveland Park Beach this summer. The beach will be open to the public for swimming at your own risk. 
 
Please visit Luther Burbank Park Beach if you would like to swim at a beach that will be guarded. Guards will be on duty there until August 28, from 11:00-6:00 pm daily.

Learn more about our beaches here. Questions? Email Ryan Daly.  
 
Mercer Gallery Schedule 
   
The Mercer Island Arts Council presents Summer Showcase, featuring four local artists: Pamela K. Beer, Tony Halstead, Marsha Karr and Fiona K. Lau. This show runs through September 9, at the MICEC.
 
O ria Windmill, by Tony Halstead