Several community centers are available year round, and what they have to offer is worth the price.
With shorter days upon us, the lack of light and the winter holidays can sometimes lead to isolation and a lack of exercise. However, there is no shortage of local community centers and recreation programs that offer a myriad of ways to fight off the blues.
They offer opportunities to try out a fun sport, learn a new hobby, or just hang out and make connections. Oftentimes these centers also host special events showcasing local artists and musicians, plus educational classes such as first aid or lifeguard training. If you are tasked with watching younger family members or taking care of Grandma, many community centers are designed with a wide range of age-appropriate activities available. There’s a little bit of something for everyone.
Tukwila Community Center
The Tukwila Community Center hosts outdoor sports fields and a skate park, plus free drop-in volleyball and basketball sessions for teens. There is also a well-equipped indoor fitness center and group classes available for $40 a month for unlimited use or $40 for a 10-visit punch card. And, yes, they have pickleball.
The center is located a little ways north of Southcenter Mall right alongside the Duwamish River. Bring a bike and enjoy the paved, 19-mile Green River Trail right across the river.
For more information visit: https://www.tukwilawa.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-trails/tukwila-community-center/
Federal Way Community Center
Do you want to learn kendo or pickleball, brush up on your swimming skills, or take guitar lessons? The Federal Way Community Center offers all these things and more. The large complex has three gyms, a fitness center, a climbing pinnacle, plus a full aquatics facility with a lap pool and a leisure pool with a slide. They will also be offering lifeguard training in December, which will be free for those employed at the center.
Monthly memberships are $43 a month and grant access to everything except for group classes. Even the climbing wall is included with a $3 fee for rental equipment if needed. An added bonus is the Splash Cafe with coffee, snacks, and sandwiches available.
For more information about the Federal Way Community Center visit: https://itallhappenshere.org/
Kent Commons Community Center
The Kent Commons Community Center offers a well-rounded collection of activities with programming for everyone from toddlers to seniors.
The 165 bus goes directly there from Highline in about 30 minutes. It is located next door to Kent Station, Kent Library, and the ShoWare Center, so there is no shortage of food or fun things to do.
The center offers group sports, table tennis, pickleball, dance lessons, and self-defense classes. Group classes are all fee-based and some of the smaller activities also include a drop-in fee of a few dollars or the purchase of a punch card. In partnership with the Kent YMCA, there are free community swim sessions as well as free access to the ShoWare Center for a warm and large place to walk indoors.
If art and music are of more interest, Kent Parks and Rec organizes summer concerts and the “Spotlight Series” with dance and music performances at the Kent-Meridian High School Performing Arts Center.
Fall activity guide: http://online.flipbuilder.com/ixcy/osen/
For more information visit: https://www.kentwa.gov/departments/kent-parks/parks-places/kent-commons-community-center
Des Moines Parks and Rec
While Des Moines Parks and Rec offers the closest option to Highline, their current programming is very sparse.
Many centers are still emerging from Covid shutdowns and regrowing their programs, so be sure to check in with each location to find up-to-date information: https://www.desmoineswa.gov/departments/parks_recreation
Most of these community centers offer some free activities and a comfortable place to hang out. However, there are fees for many individual activities with prices increasing substantially for instructor-led ones such as volleyball, yoga, and painting. It is always worthwhile to inquire about what scholarships and reduced fees are available.
Almost every facility on this list had an advertisement for volunteers and some even have paid jobs available. The Federal Way Community Center currently has 15 jobs posted on its site. This might be a great way to take advantage of fun activities for free or reduced cost while also meeting new people.
In addition to the suggestions above, it is a good idea to Google “parks and recreation” in your area as there are too many choices to possibly list.
Whether it be swimming, crafting, exercising, dancing, or just finding a comfy place to read a book, there is no limit of things to do this winter.