Engage in mindful giving this holiday season. You can feel good about giving gifts that reflect your environmental values, while providing opportunities to DO stuff rather than GET stuff. The people on...

First Night is Tacoma's family-friendly, alcohol-free, and fabulously fun New Year's Eve celebration! It's a great opportunity to say farewell to the old year and hello to the new. Metro Parks will join the festivities as we bring you special ways to participate in the fun...

Take a break from the holiday festivities and bring your family and friends to Wright Park to enjoy a refreshing 5k run or walk beginning at 1 pm.

Entry fee includes jingle bells; wear them on your run and jingle all the way! Cost is $5 before December 22 and $10 on race day. Bring non-perishable food for the food bank or old running shoes for the mission. 

Registration is underway for Metro Parks' youth basketball leagues. The program focuses on teaching basic basketball techniques and principles, promoting fair play and sportsmanship, and providing players with a competitive experience that is structured and supervised.

Youth in kindergarten through third grade can sign up until January 1, 2011. Games begin on...

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is continuing its holiday lights recycling program this year.

We hope to keep thousands of strings of lights out of the landfill and make some money for conservation while we're at it! Last year was a brilliant success, so let's make this year even brighter!

If you have old holiday lights cluttering up your closet, don't throw them away. Find drop-off locations around Tacoma: 

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of modern holidays and step back in time to savor the lilting sounds of penny whistles, the aroma of ginger biscuits, Christmas dances and the slower pace of the Christmas season in 1855.

Winter and its usual weather worries will soon be upon us. There is no need to wonder if your meeting, recreation class or other Metro Parks function is being held as usual.

Simply visit www.metroparkstacoma.org and get a one-stop look at all facilities and building closures. Look for the "weather closures" quick link on the home page. Persons without internet access can call 253-305-1062 for up-to-date building and program closure information.