May 2009 masthead
Your Snohomish County Parks provides classes, activities and new park amenities for your enjoyment.
IN THIS ISSUE
Summer Camps
New Inclusive & Specialized Recreation Program
The Circus is Coming!
Campfire Recipes
Acreage Added to Lord Hill Regional Park
Paine Field Community Park Opens
June Happenings at Evergreen Fairgrounds
Volunteers in Action
Horses Galore
Evergreen Speedway
June Happenings at NW Stream Center
2009 Fair Concerts
Safe Swimming & Water Sports
Related Articles
2009 Summer Camp Flyer 
 
2009 Get Movin' Ad
3 friends at Spindance SocialNew inclusive and specialized recreation at Snohomish County Parks and Recreation
Snohomish County Parks and Recreation continues to find new ways to provide programming that respectfully accommodates people with diverse abilities and interests. Recreation Specialist Margaret Kulkin is now working with the county on monthly events and classes to reach out to people with disabilities, cultivate peer mentors, and train staff.
 
The first event in May was a dance and ice cream social for teens. The disc jockey, Snohomish County park ranger Jerry Albin, and his upbeat music got people moving, smiling, and into the spirit of sharing the dance floor with friends. The next event will be a Spring Fair at the Willis Tucker Community Center on May 30 from 7-9 p.m.
 
As time goes on, staff hopes that the new programming and emphasis on inclusion will promote a fuller participation of people in the community in the rich resources and recreational opportunities offered through Parks and Recreation. 
 
Find updated information and more details about events on the Special Needs Web page at www.snocoparks.org.   
The Circus is coming to The Evergreen Fairgrounds
Rounding out June with three rings of excitement and fun for all ages is the Shrine Circus in the fairgrounds main arena. Join the clowns, tight rope artists, and master of ceremonies June 29 and 30 for their annual visit to Snohomish County. Details are available by calling 360-805-6700 or on the fairgrounds Web-site, www.evergreenfair.org.

Campfire Recipes
Tacos in a Bag
Ground Beef
Taco Seasoning
Sliced Tomatoes
Sliced Onions
Shredded Cheese
Shredded Tomatoes
Tortilla Chips
Directions:
Cook the ground beef with taco seasoning. Drain fat. Put all other ingredients in a large ziplock bag. Add meat. Shake until mixed. Pour onto plates or eat out of the bag!  
 
 
Wackie Taffies
Ritz Crackers
Caramel Squares
Directions:
Unwrap the caramel squares and toast them like you would marshmallows only not as long (just heat them up a little). Place the carmel between two crackers and enjoy. 
 
Recipes courtesy of Chuckwagon Diner 
See also Key to campfire cooking: Plenty of hot coals, The Herald, May 23
 


QUICK LINKS
 

Snohomish County Parks online

 

Aaron Reardon

County Executive
425-388-3460
 
Tom Teigen, Director
425-388-6600
 

Evergreen Fairgrounds

Mark Campbell, Manager
360-805-6704
 
Camps & Camping Reservations
425-388-6600
parks.department@snoco
.org
 

Resource Management & Community Partnerships

 Hal Gausman, 425-388-6618 hal.gausman@snoco.org  
 

 Contracts, Land &

 Capital Projects
 Russ Bosanko, 425-388-6602 russ.bosanko@snoco.org
  

Marketing & Communications

Marcie Allen, 425-388-6611

 

Ballfield Reservations/

 Recreation/McCollum Pool 
Tony Trofimczuk
425-388-6604 tony.t@snoco.org 
 

Operations  

Rich Patton, 425-388-6609 rich.patton@snoco.org

 
Maintenance
Bob Leonard, 425-388-6606
bob.leonard@snoco.org 
 
Willis Tucker Park
Jessica Warner, 425-388-6600
jessica.warner@snoco.org
 
Fairgrounds RV Parking
www.snocoparks.org
click on Hot Topics
 
Acreage added to Lord Hill Regional Park
provides better parking and access
Snohomish County Parks and Recreation is purchasing more than 7 acres to add to Lord Hill Regional Park, providing additional parking and access for equestrian purposes.

Lord Hill Regional Park, located at 12921 150th St. SE, south of Snohomish, covers about 1,500 acres. The addition of this small yet integral parcel will increase equestrian entry to the park. Current parking is limited and does not adequately accommodate public need.

The 7.21 acres is adjacent to Lord Hill Regional Park, with access at 127th Avenue Southeast. The purchase price is $350,000 and will be paid for out of the Conservation Futures Property Tax Fund.

Lord Hill Regional Park is popular with hikers, bikers and equestrians and contains more than six miles of trails. From higher points within the park, visitors can capture panoramic views of the surrounding Snohomish River Valley and distant mountain ranges.

The Mitchell Lord family homesteaded the area in the 1880s. Their home, built on a terraced elevation overlooking the Snohomish River Valley, was one of the most imposing residences in the county.

The parks department began securing property in 1985 with a transfer of land from the state Department of Natural Resources and Washington State Parks. 
 
Free Kids Fishing Event at Twin Lakes Park
Saturday, May 30, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
 
Summer camps and activities begin this month
School will be out shortly! Snohomish County Parks has the perfect response to the "I'm bored" lament!
 
Golf, basketball skill building, sports camps (all day and half-day) and martial arts are available in June.
  
McCollum Park Pool opens June 8
Swimming lessons begin at the McCollum Park Pool on June 8 and open swim begins on June 20. 
 
Private pool rentals - great for end of year or birthday party!
Reserve McCollum Pool for your own private swim party.
 
Find more information about camps, classes, rentals, other activities or other parks within the county's parks system at www.snocoparks.org or call 425-388-6600.
  
June Happenings at the Evergreen Fairgrounds  
* Monroe Swap Meet every weekend
* NASCAR Races every Saturday
* Half Arabian Horse Show - June 5-7
* WWRA Auto races - June 5, 19, 28
* Drag Races - June 7, 21, 26
* Washington Shetland Pony Show - June 12-13
* Drifting Races - June 12 and 21
* Washington Arms Collectors Gun Show - June 13-14
* 4-H Summer Horse Show - June 19-21
* Evergreen Pygmy Goat Show - June 27-28
* Windy Tides Open Horse Show - June 27-28
* NW's Largest Garage Sale - June 27-28
* Shrine Circus - June 29-30

The Evergreen State Fairgrounds is located along Highway 2, west of Monroe. Find more information at
www.evergreenfair.org.  
Volunteers in Action 
 
National Trails Day on Lord Hill Park June 6
To celebrate National Trails Day, Park Rangers and the Everett Mountaineers Club are hosting a trail work party from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Lord Hill Regional Park. A barbecue will be served after the event.
 
Chris EllisChris Ellis Volunteer Student of the Year 
Chris Ellis from the Lake Stevens Transition Program is our Volunteer of the Year. Chris has spent four to five hours each week helping staff with many odd jobs during the past two years. He sorts and files papers, makes copies, creates signage, does data entry, sweeps storage areas and assists with the new Specialized Recreation Program.
 
Staff appreciates all of Chris' cheerful help. Although staff is sad to see him leave, they are excited that he has completed his high school studies and is moving on to Everett Community College studies in the fall. 
 
River Meadows Park gets attention from Trafton Elementary
Trafton Elementary is performing a clean-up service project at River Meadows Park on June 5. Park Ranger Erika Miranda will be provide an interpretive program on "leave no trace" to round out the day. 
 
Trafton's first- and second-grade students planted 80 trees at River Meadows Park for Arbor day.  Ranger Meshke provided an interpretive program for the students on the benefits of trees. 
 
Salmon released at Meadowdale Beach Park
10,000 salmon fry have been released into Lund's Gulch by retired Meadowdale Middle School science teacher Dwayne Usatillo.
 
Eagle Scout honored for park project
Eagle Scout Hunter Burke will be honored June 6 for his project donated to Snohomish County Parks. Hunter built several trash can boxes. Park Ranger Doug Dailer is attending.

rider on hunter-jumperHorses galore at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds
Horses galore! A wonderful array of horse shows will be presented in the Equestrian Park of the Fairgrounds throughout June.  All horse shows are free to the public so be sure to take a walk through the barns and watch the shows in the arenas.  It's a great way to learn and see the best of the equine world, right in your own backyard! 
 
Following is a listing of the shows
* Half Arabian Mid-Summer Classic,  June 5-7
* Washington Shetland Pony Show, June 12-14
* Snohomish County 4-H Summer Show, June 19-21
* Windy Tides All Breed Show, June 26-28
 
Find more detailed information on the Fairgrounds Website at www.evergreenfair.org
 
Each of these events is free. Join them at the Evergreen Equestrian Center located on 179th Avenue Southeast in Monroe.
Racing on the Evergreen Speedway Monster Truck
Evergreen Speedway, following a very successful Memorial Weekend Demolition Derby and Firework show presents a full schedule of exciting June events. Beginning on Saturday, May 30, with 60 minutes of F.E.A.R. (Figure Eight Auto Racing) marathon performance on May 30. A double header of Super Late Models on the 3/8 mile track and a full slate of the other divisions will be presented on June 6. 
 
Like school busses?  Want to see them manipulate the figure 8 track in an action-packed show? Join the Speedway team on Saturday, June 13. The month of June will conclude with the Mid-Season Championships on June 27. 
 
For a full schedule and times to all Evergreen Speedway events, visit their Web-site at www.evergreenspeedway.com or call 360-805-6100.
June Happenings at the Northwest Stream Center
* FREE Movie Night - Beavers - June 4
* Salmon and Salmon Habitat - June 11
* Cougars - June 18
* Save the Frogs! - June 24
* Slugs & Snails Leave Slimy Trails - June 26

The Northwest Stream Center is located at McCollum County Park, 600 128th St. SE, Everett. Find more information at www.streamkeeper.org.
The Evergreen State Fair announces 2009 fair grandstand event line-up:
* NW Super Moto (Free, with paid fair admission)
  Thursday, Aug. 27
* Extreme Monster Truck Show, Freestyle Motocross,
  
Fireworks and more! Friday, Aug. 28
* Colgate Country Showdown (free with paid fair 
  admission) and Williams and Ree (free or paid
  seating)
* Disney Under The Stars - Monday, Aug. 31 -
* Blake Shelton and Special Guest - Tuesday, Sept. 1
* Queensryche - Wednesday, Sept. 2
* Diamond Rio - Thursday, Sept. 3
 
Be the first to purchase tickets!   From 10 a.m., June 8 through 10 p.m., June 11, go to www.ticketmaster.com/venue/122941
and enter the codeword: FAIR.   The public on-sale begins 10 a.m., June 12.
 
The Evergreen State Fair is Aug. 27 - Sept. 7, 2009.   Find more information at
www.evergreenfair.org
Safe swimming and water sports keep summer fun.  
Avoid tragedy by following simple safety rules
by Tony Trofimczuk, Recreation Supervisor
 
Our cool, wet spring brings with it unanticipated recreational water dangers. While open water drowning is highest in the hotter summer months, spring rains and the start of fishing season increases the risks of drowning just by being around water.
 
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury and death for children under age of 18. Most drowning deaths occur in outdoor settings such as lakes, rivers, and ponds.

Fishing and boating are major factors in drowning among middle-aged men. There are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk for you and your family. Life jackets are a must. U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are required for children less than13 years old while on boats less than 19 feet long. 
 
Other tips for water safety are:
* Never swim alone.
* Swim in a supervised, marked area with a lifeguard
  present, and swim with others.
 *Stay within designated swimming areas.
  Swimming beyond designated areas in lakes and 
  rivers is a factor in the drowning deaths of Washington
  teenagers and adults.
* Be cautious of sudden drop-offs. Because rivers are
  constantly moving, they can carve new channels, bring
  trees down into the river and create new drop-offs.
* Many rivers and lakes remain cold all summer, even if
   they're warm on the surface. It's hard to swim in cold
   water, especially when one is tired. Hypothermia can
   set in quickly.
* Know your limits and your abilities; stop before you're
   too tired.
* Weather and water conditions can change quickly.
  Check weather forecasts and be prepared for adverse  
  conditions.
* Set limits with your children - when they can go in the
   water, where they can go, who needs to be there, and
   what they should have with them. Just because 
   they're with a group of friends does not mean they can
   rescue each other if someone gets into trouble.
 
The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Snohomish County Parks and Recreation offers Learn to Swim courses for people of any age and swimming ability at the McCollum Park Pool. To find out what lessons are offered, please visit our Web page at www.snocoparks.org.
 
Related Articles  
Contact Information:
 
Marcie Allen, Marketing Coordinator
Snohomish County Parks Department
425-388-6611 /
marcie.allen@snoco.org