Seattle's Big Day of Play: A Celebration of Diversity and Community

Seattle Parks and Recreation's Big Day of Play, a free event held in Southeast Seattle, was a vibrant celebration of diversity, community engagement, and recreational opportunities. The event showcased the wide range of services offered by Seattle Parks and Recreation and provided a platform for community members to connect with staff and each other.

Lakema Bell, Deputy Director of Seattle Parks and Recreation, described it as "the most diverse special event that Seattle Parks and Recreation offered for free." The Big Day of Play was intentionally located in Southeast Seattle, one of the city's most diverse neighborhoods, to ensure that recreational opportunities were accessible to all residents, regardless of their background or location.

Chukundi Salisbury Sr., Environmental Engagement and Sustainability Director at Seattle Parks and Recreation, highlighted the event's importance in showcasing the breadth of Seattle Parks and Recreation's offerings. Attendees were able to interact with staff from various departments, including park rangers, environmental educators, and childcare providers. "This was a chance for neighbors and community members to come and really see in one place the totality of what parks does," Salisbury said.

Deja'Nay Gilliam, Community Engagement & Special Event Coordinator at Seattle Parks and Recreation, emphasized the interactive nature of the Big Day of Play. Vendors and community organizations offered a variety of activities designed to engage and inform attendees. "We didn't want to just spit and spew different information at you," said Gilliam. "We really wanted you to understand and have time with representatives at each organization so that you knew exactly what was there for you." Gilliam also expressed her personal enjoyment of the event, highlighting the opportunity to connect with community members and witness the joy it brought to attendees, especially children.

The Big Day of Play was more than just an informational event; it was a celebration of community spirit. Lakema Bell noted the positive feedback from attendees, saying, "People were very happy to be here, and they liked to see themselves reflected. They felt welcomed, they felt cared for, and that their cultures were respected and honored."

For Samuel Chesneau, Food, Fitness, and Careers Exploration Coordinator at Seattle Parks and Recreation, the most rewarding part of the Big Day of Play was seeing the impact it had on attendees and colleagues alike. "My favorite part about Big Day of Play was the aftermath," said Chesneau, "and just really like the look on our colleagues' faces, just knowing that they'd accomplished something and knowing that they'd made people's lives a little bit better, at least for one day."

The Big Day of Play was an open invitation to people of all ages and abilities to come together and enjoy a day of fun and recreation. As Lakema Bell put it, "This was for all ages, all abilities. It was accessible, and it was here for you to be able to come and play the way you wanted to play all day."

Giovannina Souers, Public Education Program Specialist at Seattle Parks and Recreation, described the diverse range of activities and resources available at the Big Day of Play. With over 60 booths representing community centers, local organizations, environmental learning centers, and pools, there was something for everyone. "They all had an activity, something that was going on, or coloring pages or something that the kids could do," said Souers. The event also featured a stage with live performances, a block party, and numerous grantees and sponsors who contributed to making the day a success.