Key Pen Parks

Your July Supply of Parks News

It was really difficult to find a 4th of July knock-knock joke. That's because freedom rings!

In observance of Independence Day, our office will be closed on Tuesday, July 4th. Parks' gates will close early at 6:30pm on 7/4. Fireworks are not allowed in any of our parks.

What's Going On In Our Parks?

Summer Family Fun Fest is July 8th! Come on down to Gateway Park to kick-off your summer with loads of fun! There will be bounce houses for all ages, carnival games and prizes, music, and lots of tasty snacks! www.keypenparks.com/family-fun-fest

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.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

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!

Summer Solstice Gnome Hunt is underway! Ceramic gnomes are hiding all around Gateway Park, 360 Trails, Volunteer Park, and Home Park. Come on out and try to find one of the gnomes running wild in our parks! Use #kppgnomehunt to post to Facebook or Instagram when you find a gnome!

The Scott Gallacher Memorial Spray and Play Park is open for summer! 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 lightening. No animals are allowed in the Splash Pad. www.keypenparks.com/splash-pad

It's Parks and Recreation Month! Celebrate "Where Community Grows" this month by visiting your local parks! NRPA - Parks and Rec Month

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!

www.keypenparks.com/picnic-shelter-rentals

Fun Activities!

Summer Bingo is still going! 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 trielle@keypenparks.com 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

The Gnome Hunt is on!

On June 22nd, almost 200 ceramic gnomes were hidden around Gateway Park, 360 Trails, Volunteer Park, and Home Park. Check out the ones that have been found so far! Thanks to everyone who tagged us in their photos - great job! Happy hunting!

#kppgnomehunt

July Reading List - Provided by Pierce County Library

Buggy for Beautiful Bugs!

Find these books at the Key Center Pierce County Library and spot the bugs in our local parks.

Books for Adults

Bee Hotel: All You Need to Know in One Concise Manual: 30 DIY Insect Home Projects by Melanie von Orlow
Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest by Robert Michael Pyle
Pacific Northwest Insects by Merrill A. Peterson

Books for Pupa

The Book of Brilliant Bugs by Jess French
Bugs from Head to Tail by Stacey Roderick
Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist – The true story of a world-traveling bug hunter by Christine Evans
Not a Butterfly Alphabet Book: It’s About Time Moths Had Their Own Book! by Jerry Pallotta

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 answers@keypenparks.com 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.

Office and Events Assistant
Parks Maintenance Worker 1

Visit www.keypenparks.com/jobs to apply!

Photo Features

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

Thank you, Scott, for sharing this picture of barred owl seen up in 360 Trails during the monthly bird walk with Chris Rurik!

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 social@keypenparks.com to let us know your suggestions!

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