Key Pen Parks

August News

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What's Going On In Our Parks?

Cinema Under the Stars - Save your Friday nights in August to watch fan-favorite movies with us at Gateway Park or Volunteer Park (alternates each week)! The first movie on August 4th will be Top Gun: Maverick at Gateway Park. The KP Lions will be providing food available for purchase ($5 for kid meals, $7 for adult meals). Thank you to Peninsula Light Co and the Jensen Family for sponsoring this event. www.keypenparks.com/movienights

Mountain Biking 101 is on August 5th! This mountain biking event is geared toward kids who are able to fully ride a bike. Kids will have the opportunity to participate in a skills course, find out about different types of gear, learn about basic bike repairs, and have fun on a guided trail ride through 360 Trails; guided rides will not include jumps. This event is designed to help beginners increase their comfort level on 360 Trails. Register for the guided ride here: Guided Ride Registration - Eventbrite. Thank you to Key Center Dentistry for sponsoring this event. www.keypenparks.com/mountain-biking-101

Bubble Fun Day - Smile your way through summer and come on down to Gateway Park to have some bubble-fun with Key Pen Parks and Pierce County Library on August 15th! www.keypenparks.com/bubble-fun-day

Check out The Scott Gallacher Memorial Spray and Play Park! This fun feature is open through Labor Day weekend with hours from 10 AM to 6 PM, 7 days a week. The Splash Pad is weather dependent and may be closed during heavy wind or rain and will always be closed in the event of thunder and/or lightning. No animals are allowed in the Splash Pad. www.keypenparks.com/splash-pad

Our ball fields at Volunteer Park are closed until August 15th as they undergo repairs and renovations. Thank you for understanding and helping us keep our facilities up-to-date and user-friendly.

Thank you to everyone who came out to Summer Family Fun Fest on July 8th! We had so much fun and hope you did too!

Reserve a picnic shelter!

Our picnic shelters at Gateway Park, Volunteer Park, and Home Park can be reserved for your event or activity. Fill out a rental request form today!

August weekends are full.

www.keypenparks.com/picnic-shelter-rentals

Fun Activities!

Summer Bingo ends September 5th! Get out and about in your local parks! Download this Key Pen Parks bingo and spend your summer out and about in our parks. If you would like to be entered into our raffle (details below), make sure you take a picture of your completed bingo board next to the gnome you found!

Printable Version

Think you have a Bingo Blackout? Email our Outreach and Community Events Coordinator at [email protected] with photo proof! The first 30 people to submit their completed board will receive a prize and will be entered in a raffle to win a free 2-hour half rental of the Gateway Pavilion! All submissions must be turned in by Tuesday, September 5th.

Community Engagement

Key Pen Parks at the July 4th Parade

We had such a blast at the Home 4th of July Parade - thanks to everyone who came out and had fun with us!

Photo: Tina McKail

August Reading List - Provided by Pierce County Library

Saltwater Summer

Discover these books at the Key Center Pierce County Library and explore local tidepools and beaches!

Books for Adults

Between the Tides in Washington and Oregon: Exploring Beaches and Tidepools by Ryan P. Kelly
Remarkably Bright Creatures: A Novel by Shelby Van Pelt
We are Puget Sound: Discovering and Recovering the Salish Seas by David Workman

Books for Children

1, 2, 3 Salish Sea: A Pacific Northwest Counting Book by Nikki McClure
Orcas of the Salish Sea by Mark Leiren-Young
S is for Salmon: A Pacific Northwest Alphabet by Hannah Viano
The Tide Pool Waits by Candace Fleming

49 bird species seen at the July bird walk!

During the monthly bird walk hosted by Chris Rurik, 49 bird species were seen around Gateway Park/360 Trails, including kingfishers, a pileated woodpecker, a flyby by of a flock of red crossbills, and a barred owl!

Everyone welcome (including kids)! Bring clothes for the weather and binoculars if you have them (extras available). Join Chris Rurik, the KP Nature Guide, each month for a bird walk around Gateway Park’s hidden beaver pond and back woods. Learn about incredible birds and hope for the thrill of finding a rarity. All skill levels welcome. Expect to walk 1-2 miles on uneven terrain.

Reminder Of Our Park Rules

Please do not park in the trailer parking unless you have a trailer!

The trailer parking at Gateway Park is the only spot designated for trailers, so when that space is full of normal size vehicles, that means that folks with oversized vehicles such as RVs/camping trailers, horse trailers, and bike trailers no longer have access to 360 Trails.

We will be placing delineators with chains and signs around the trailer parking to limit access. If you have a trailer, all you need to do is remove the chain from the delineator during your visit to 360 Trails and replace the chain when you leave.

If you have any questions about this, please email [email protected] or call our office at (253) 884-9240.

Job Openings

Key Pen Parks works to creates spaces where the Key Peninsula can meet and have fun, discover community, engage with nature and get some fresh air, and participate in special events. Come join our team and help us provide beautiful parks that everyone can enjoy! We have career opportunities on both the office and the maintenance side, so check out what jobs we have open.

We are not currently hiring.

Check back at www.keypenparks.com/jobs.

Photo Features

We want to see the fun photos you've taken in our parks! Submit your photo to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our website and/or newsletter! All photos will be screened to ensure appropriate content.

Thank you, Kenny, for submitting this rainbow caught at Volunteer Park!

What Content Are You Interested In?

Think we're missing something in our newsletter? Let us know! Whether you want different types of information or other fun activities and highlights, reach out [email protected] to let us know your suggestions!

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