(re-posted from the Seattle Parks & Recreation blog)
Remember the “What I Did on my Summer Vacation” essay assignment on the first day of school? You had to think about the previous three months and make up events that made you seem more interesting and adventurous than watching Judge Judy marathons. Embarrassing. You may not get a summer vacation anymore, but the season is still something to be treasured. Seattle Parks and Recreation wants to help you take advantage of these rare, sunny days and create some brag-worthy memories. We won’t ask you to write an essay, but we’d love to see you in action. Prove you completed some of the activities on our Summer Bucket List by sending photos to @seattleparks on Twitter #bucketlist 
On my summer vacation I…GOT HEALTHY! Join us from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, for our first-ever Big Day of Play at Mount Baker Park Sailing and Rowing Center! We’ll have entertainment, music, kids’ activities and plenty of opportunities for you to learn about our active recreation and healthy food programming. On my summer vacation I…ROCKED OUT WITH THE T-BIRDS AND PINK LADIES IN MAGNUSON PARK! On Thursdays throughout the summer, Magnuson Park will host outdoor movies. “Grease” kicks off the line-up, followed by “The Lego Movie,” “Gravity,” “Sixteen Candles” and other favorites. Spread out a blanket on the grass, take part in movie trivia and get some grub at a food truck. Don’t worry, no one can say you’re wasting away in front of the television if you’re doing it outside. 
On my summer vacation I…MET A CAMEL! I mean, really, how many chances does one get to meet a camel in the Northwest? Visit Othello Park on Sunday, Aug. 17, for the Othello Park International Music and Art Festival. Between noon and 6 p.m., the park will be filled with family-friendly music and performances. Wander through the vendor and food booths, take a ride on the zip line and of course, say hi to the visiting camel. On my summer vacation I…PAMPERED MY POOCH! Sunday, Aug. 17, is truly a dog day of summer. From 1-3 p.m., you can take your pups to Helene Madison Pool and let them cool down in the water. Each year the pool hosts a dog swim before the facility closes for preventive maintenance. On my summer vacation I…WENT SCUBA DIVING IN ELLIOT BAY! Did you know you there is a protected area off the shores of West Seattle’s Seacrest Park for scuba diving? Explore underwater sea creatures in the Sound and then treat yourself to lunch at Marination Ma Kai, voted one of the city’s best lunch spots by Seattle Magazine. 
On my summer vacation I…DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY WITH 800 OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS! Dancing ‘til Dusk events take place throughout downtown parks in the summer. We provide lighting, bands and free dance lessons; you just have to show up in your boogie shoes. From 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday Sept. 5, we’re hosting a square dance in Freeway Park, so save the date and swing your partner! For other Dancing ‘til Dusk dates, click HERE. On my summer vacation I…LEARNED A NEW SKILL (FOR ONLY $2)! Have you always wanted to register for a new class or activity, but have a fear of six-week commitment? Seattle Parks’ Healthy Parks, Healthy You program has got you covered. With the Try It for $2 program, you can attend a program or class session at one of our community centers or pools for only $2. If you like what you experience, you can register for the remainder of the session at a pro-rated amount. Yoga, Zumba, karate? See you there. 
On my summer vacation I…FOUND MY INNER TARZAN! Grab a group of friends and take to the trees. Camp Long in West Seattle has a vertical playpen. Climb through tires and obstacles up in the sky or travel between high platforms on beams, swings and ropes supported by belayers. There are a variety of challenge course options available for adventurers of all levels. 
On my summer vacation I…BIKED THE BURKE-GILMAN TRAIL! The Burke-Gilman Trail runs from Shilshole Bay in Seattle to the City of Bothell spanning more than 18 miles. Grab your helmet and follow the historic railroad route near the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Sammamish River. Pack a lunch, enjoy the views and get some fresh air. On my summer vacation I…DISCOVERED A NEW PARK (OR 10)! Pick a park, any park, and then grab your sunscreen and go. We have more than 400 parks within our city limits and very few people have seen them all. Take this summer to find a new picnic spot, a breathtaking viewpoint or a perfect practice field for your soccer team. Each of our parks is unique, and they’re all FREE.
On my summer vacation I…GOT HEALTHY! Join us from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, for our first-ever Big Day of Play at Mount Baker Park Sailing and Rowing Center! We’ll have entertainment, music, kids’ activities and plenty of opportunities for you to learn about our active recreation and healthy food programming. On my summer vacation I…ROCKED OUT WITH THE T-BIRDS AND PINK LADIES IN MAGNUSON PARK! On Thursdays throughout the summer, Magnuson Park will host outdoor movies. “Grease” kicks off the line-up, followed by “The Lego Movie,” “Gravity,” “Sixteen Candles” and other favorites. Spread out a blanket on the grass, take part in movie trivia and get some grub at a food truck. Don’t worry, no one can say you’re wasting away in front of the television if you’re doing it outside. 
On my summer vacation I…MET A CAMEL! I mean, really, how many chances does one get to meet a camel in the Northwest? Visit Othello Park on Sunday, Aug. 17, for the Othello Park International Music and Art Festival. Between noon and 6 p.m., the park will be filled with family-friendly music and performances. Wander through the vendor and food booths, take a ride on the zip line and of course, say hi to the visiting camel. On my summer vacation I…PAMPERED MY POOCH! Sunday, Aug. 17, is truly a dog day of summer. From 1-3 p.m., you can take your pups to Helene Madison Pool and let them cool down in the water. Each year the pool hosts a dog swim before the facility closes for preventive maintenance. On my summer vacation I…WENT SCUBA DIVING IN ELLIOT BAY! Did you know you there is a protected area off the shores of West Seattle’s Seacrest Park for scuba diving? Explore underwater sea creatures in the Sound and then treat yourself to lunch at Marination Ma Kai, voted one of the city’s best lunch spots by Seattle Magazine. On my summer vacation I…DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY WITH 800 OF MY CLOSEST FRIENDS! Dancing ‘til Dusk events take place throughout downtown parks in the summer. We provide lighting, bands and free dance lessons; you just have to show up in your boogie shoes. From 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday Sept. 5, we’re hosting a square dance in Freeway Park, so save the date and swing your partner! For other Dancing ‘til Dusk dates, click HERE. On my summer vacation I…LEARNED A NEW SKILL (FOR ONLY $2)! Have you always wanted to register for a new class or activity, but have a fear of six-week commitment? Seattle Parks’ Healthy Parks, Healthy You program has got you covered. With the Try It for $2 program, you can attend a program or class session at one of our community centers or pools for only $2. If you like what you experience, you can register for the remainder of the session at a pro-rated amount. Yoga, Zumba, karate? See you there. 
On my summer vacation I…FOUND MY INNER TARZAN! Grab a group of friends and take to the trees. Camp Long in West Seattle has a vertical playpen. Climb through tires and obstacles up in the sky or travel between high platforms on beams, swings and ropes supported by belayers. There are a variety of challenge course options available for adventurers of all levels. 
On my summer vacation I…BIKED THE BURKE-GILMAN TRAIL! The Burke-Gilman Trail runs from Shilshole Bay in Seattle to the City of Bothell spanning more than 18 miles. Grab your helmet and follow the historic railroad route near the Lake Washington Ship Canal and Sammamish River. Pack a lunch, enjoy the views and get some fresh air. On my summer vacation I…DISCOVERED A NEW PARK (OR 10)! Pick a park, any park, and then grab your sunscreen and go. We have more than 400 parks within our city limits and very few people have seen them all. Take this summer to find a new picnic spot, a breathtaking viewpoint or a perfect practice field for your soccer team. Each of our parks is unique, and they’re all FREE.