City Hall Park reopens today

The City of Seattle reopened City Hall Park, adjacent to the King County Courthouse, to the public today, Tuesday, June 13.

The park will remain open between 6 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., seven days a week. Two full-time Park Rangers will be onsite in the park during these hours to engage with guests, answer questions, give directions, maintain the peace of the park, and help establish acceptable norms of behavior. Read more.

Executive Constantine announces winners of the 2023 Green Globe Award

The Green Globe Award is King County’s highest honor for environmental stewardship. Eleven individuals and organizations from across King County were recently honored by Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks with a 2023 Green Globe Award for outstanding work to protect and restore the environment, and contributing to a more resilient, sustainable, more equitable King County. Read more and watch the video.

Regional solutions to reduce stormwater pollution

From the Department of Natural Resources and Parks

King County Executive Dow Constantine recently hosted a regional summit with Tribal leaders, state and federal agency leaders, water quality experts, university researchers, and cities and counties throughout Central Puget Sound to pursue regional solutions to stormwater pollution, one of the greatest threats to water quality in the Puget Sound watershed.

“Reducing the stormwater pollution that threatens the health of people, wildlife and Puget Sound requires collaboration, creativity, and commitment throughout the entire watershed,” said Executive Constantine. Read more and watch the video.

Peak weekday routes 16, 232, 237, 301, 304 and 320 will be suspended June 12-23

Cross-posted from Metro Matters

King County Metro will suspend peak weekday routes 16, 232, 237, 301, 304 and 320 from June 12-23 due to staff and bus availability. Some individual weekday bus trips also are canceled. Riders have alternatives available during these suspensions and regular updates will be provided on the website to keep you informed about transit service and options. Read more.

Foreclosure Avoidance Unit receives 2022 Innovation Award for Service

Nanci Lambert, Laura Wilson, and Lori Souder, within the Department of Executive Services and Finance and Business Operations Division – Property Tax Foreclosure Avoidance Process has been honored with the Innovation Award for Service. This award, part of King County Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards, is one of the of five Innovation Awards highlighting department teams whose projects, improvements, and ingenuity deliver exceptional, measurable results. “We solve problems” and “We drive for results” are core values at King County, and these award recipients met challenges in creative and impactful ways.

Each year, the Foreclosure Avoidance Unit works through thousands of properties that are subject to foreclosure for unpaid property taxes, with about 100 parcels going to auction. Watch the video to learn how the unit turned a highly stressful, adversarial process into an approachable conversation that focuses on helping taxpayers resolve their tax delinquencies and maintain their properties. The result: In 2022, only 12 parcels went to auction, and none were owner-occupied.

Three short walks

Cross-posted from King County Parks

As the spring weather finally warms up, King County Parks offers some great options to explore hiking in scenic, shaded landscapes. Whether making a short daytrip to Vashon Island or birdwatching in Marymoor Park, these short walks will get you immersed back in touch with nature in no time.

To be specific by what we mean by “short,” all the walks on this list clock in at around 1.5 miles or less. Read more.

Improve your health for Men's Health Week

June 10-16, 2023 is Men’s Health Week, which is a great reminder to focus on your health for your family and for yourself. If you haven’t scheduled your annual wellness visit with your Primary Care Provider, add that to your to-do list this week. Having a Primary Care Provider can improve your long term health outcomes and save you money. Learn more here.

If you are struggling with your weight or want to incorporate more physical fitness into your life, Omada is a program covered by your medical insurance that can help. Omada is a virtual care program that offers private and personal care to improve your health in small ways that work best for you, so you can be there for those who matter to you. Participants get a smart scale delivered to their home and a personalized care plan through the Omada app. Learn more at omadahealth.com/kingcounty.

State retirement plan contributions will change July 1, 2023

Employer contribution rates for some of the following retirement plans will change on July 1, 2023, as approved by the State Legislature. The state Pension Funding Council adjusts contribution rates, as needed, to fund the retirement benefits earned by members. Read more.

Seattle Symphony discount tickets

Hear Mahler’s transcendent "Resurrection" Symphony and a fully orchestral program featuring works inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet with conductor Marin Alsop.

• Romeo and Juliet, Thursday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 17 at 8 p.m.
• Mahler Resurrection, Thursday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 24 at 8 p.m.

Enter promo code BACH23 before selecting your seats to unlock 15% off tickets and pay no additional fees. Pricing will adjust in your shopping cart. Limit four tickets per household.