Local Health and Fitness Resources

* Letter to Families

** Community Organizations

*** Health Websites

**** Fitness Websites

***** Parks Map

****** West Seattle Parks

******* Schmitz Preserve Park

Our community parks and organizations provide various opportunities for children and families to participate in sports and other healthy activities outside of school. Many organizations offer financial assistance for their programs and serve a wide age range. Local parks are abundant and include sports fields, courts, tracks, trails, and other amenities.

Most parks and organizations offer free parking and are accessible by bus. Bus schedule and route information are available at app.tripplanner.kingcounty.gov. Youth under 19 now ride transit free. Anyone 19 or older and listed on an SHA lease can request a free Transit Pass here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SHAIntakeForm

Seattle’s Bike and Scooter Share is another way to reach these places. This program affords low fares to those who qualify. To learn more or register, click www.tinyurl.com/SeattleBASS. If you already have a bike that needs minor repair, consider bringing it to a no-cost Bikework’s Repair Day at the Neighborhood House parking lot. Remember to wear a helmet. The Helmets link below explains proper fit and safety.

Stuck at home? Many free health and fitness websites have comprehensive exercise videos and pictorials or helpful information on topics such as safety and nutrition.

Below are lists of websites, community organizations, and local parks, including a highlight on Schmitz Preserve Park. Please note that all resources on this page are for informational purposes only and not necessarily endorsed by or affiliated with West Seattle Elementary, Seattle Public Schools, or SPS staff. Parents and guardians are responsible for confirming the details below and determining what is safe and appropriate for their child(ren). All information herein is subject to change without notice.

If you have questions about the content below, contact Mr. Royce, WSE PE Specialist, at peroyce@seattleschools.org.

Stay safe, and have fun!

-West Seattle Elementary

a.https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/westseattlesoccer

b. (206) 395-3997, wsscboard@gmail.com

c. Ages 5-18

d. Each week: one or two weekday practices, one weekend game.

e. Registration window:

• All February for Spring Season (waitlist in March)
• All June for Fall Season (waitlist in July)

f. Spring Season = April – June, Fall Season = Sept – Nov.

g. Spring = $75, Fall = $100-$200. Financial assistance available.

a.https://www.seattleymca.org/locations/west-seattle-fauntleroy-ymca

b. (206) 935-6000, 3622 SW Snoqualmie St., Seattle, WA 98126

c. Financial assistance available.

d. Basketball: non-members = $173, members = $115.00

• i. Minis and Kinders (ages 3-6, co-ed)

1. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons
2. 8-week seasons
3. Once per week practices with scrimmages

• ii. Rookies (grades 1 and 2, co-ed)

1. Winter, Spring, Fall seasons
2. Once per week practice
3. Weekend games

• iii. Juniors (grades 3-6, single gender)

1. Winter, Spring seasons
2. Once per week practice
3. Weekend games

e. Flag Football

• Ages 5-7
• 6-week season
• One 45-minute practice per week
• Non-members = $124.50, members = $82.50

f. Indoor Soccer Skills Academy

• Ages 5-8
• 6-week season
• One 45-minute practice per week
• Non-members = $124.50, members = $82.50

g. Swimming Recreation: all ages, year-round

• Mon-Thur 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
• Fri 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Sat 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
• Sun 10 AM – 4:30 PM

h. Swim Lessons: times and prices vary

i. T-ball (baseball)

• Ages 3-6, co-ed
• Summer season

a.https://www.seattle.gov/parks/pools/southwest-pool

b. (206) 684-7440, 2801 SW Thistle St, Seattle, WA 98126

c. Swim lessons

• Ages 6-16
• 6-week season
• One 30-minute session per week
• $54, $27 with scholarship

d. Public Swim: year-round

• Ages 1-17, 65+ = $4.50, ages 18-64 = $6.50 (discount swim pass available)
• 60–90-minute sessions (schedule on link above)

a. https://www.seattle.gov/parks/all-community-centers/delridge-community-center

b. (206) 684-7423, 4501 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106

c. Financial aid available.

d. Beginning Tap & Jazz

• Ages 5-9
• 6-week season
• One 60-minute session per week
• $65

e. Beginning Shotokan Karate

• Ages 6-9
• 10-week season
• Mondays, Wednesdays 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM
• $50

f. Track and Field at West Seattle Stadium

• Ages 5-17
• Monday & Wednesday practices 6 – 7:15 PM, Saturday events
• Spring Season
• $65

a. https://www.seattle.gov/parks/all-community-centers/high-point-community-center

b. (206) 684-7422, 6920 34th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126

c. Financial aid available.

d. Drop-In Family Basketball

• Ages 5 and up
• Saturdays 11:30 AM – 1:15 PM
• Free

e. Junior Hoopers (basketball basics)

• Ages 6-8
• Tuesdays, Thursdays 4:45 PM – 5:30 PM
• $80

f. Tang Soo Do Karate

• Ages 10 and up
• Wednesdays 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM
• $70

g. Track and Field at West Seattle Stadium

• Ages 5-17
• Monday & Wednesday practices 6:00 – 7:15 PM, Saturday events
• Spring Season
• $65

a. https://westseattlereign.com/

b. (206) 717-3885, customerservice@westseattlereign.com

c. Ages: 6-18 (enrolled in Grades K-12)

d. Basketball

• Registration: February 1 - March 15
• Tryouts: March
• Season: April - August
  

e. Volleyball

• Registration: October 15 - November 20
• Tryouts: November
  
• Season: December - June (championships possible in July)
  

f. Clinics and Camps

• Basketball, Football, and Volleyball
• Year-round, see website for info and registration
  

a. https://www.thelittlegym.com/westseattleWA/

b. (206) 937-0311, tlgwestseattlewa@thelittlegym.com

c. 7025 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98136

d. Gymnastics, Dance

• Ages 6-12
• Varying times, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, and Sat afternoons
• Tuition plans start at $34 per class.

a. https://www.westseattleroadrunners.org/

b. westseattleroadrunners@gmail.com

c. Cross Country

• Ages 7-14 (on Dec 31)
• Fall Season = September – December
• Two or three practices per week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays)
• Several Saturday races throughout season.

a. https://learntojumprope.com/

b. (206) 351-1492, rene@jumpropenet.com

c. Jump Rope

• Ages 7+
• Classes, Summer Camps, Team
• Financial assistance available

a. https://caaseattle.com/

b. (206) 420-1834, welcome@caaseattle.com

c. 5050 Delridge Way SW, Seattle, WA 98106

d. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

• Ages 3+
• Year-round, 60-minute classes, Mon – Fri 3:30 PM – 6 PM, Sun 10 AM – 12 PM.
• Tournaments scheduled throughout the year.

e. Muay Thai

• Ages 5+
• Year-round, 60-minute classes, Tue, Thur, Fri 4 PM – 6 PM
• Tournaments scheduled throughout the year.

a. https://www.westseattlelittleleague.com/

b. info@westseattlelittleleague.com

c. March 1 – June 30, registration closes on March 31

d. Full and partial scholarships available: https://www.westseattlelittleleague.com/Default.aspx?tabid=2736182

e. Baseball

• Age 4-14 on August 31
• Age 4-7: one weekday practice and one Saturday game per week
• Age 8+: one or two weekday practices and one or two games per week
• No games on Sunday

f. Softball

• Age 7-14 on January 1
• One or two weekday practices and one or two games per week
• One game on Saturday

a. https://www.westseattlebaseball.com/

b. Ages 4-18

c. Season = March – July

a. Note: preseason practices in West Seattle, practices and home games in SeaTac.

b. Note: girls grade 3+, see West Seattle Lacrosse Club

c. https://www.swlacrosseclub.org/

d. Grades K-2 co-ed, Grades 3-8 boys’ teams

e. Registration opens October 1. Season = February – June.

f. Two practices per week, one game per week on Saturdays.

a. Note: practices and home games in SeaTac.

b. https://www.westseattlelaxclub.org/

c. westseattlelax@gmail.com

d. Grades 3-8 girls’ teams.

a. https://westseattlejrfootball.com/

b. westseattlewildcats@gmail.com

c. Season = August-October/November

d. Football: Ages 5-14 (Through Grade 8. Some weight limits apply.)

NUTRITION: https://www.myplate.gov/ Information on smart food choices.

SLEEP: https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/index.html Learn how much sleep you need, how to get a better night's rest, and more.

SUN SAFETY: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm Top sun protection tips along with how to interpret a UV index.

HELMETS: https://www.cdc.gov/headsup/helmets/index.html Why and how to wear a helmet safely. Find out about bike helmets, sport helmets, concussion, and proper fit.

SAFE WALKING: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/811026.pdf Short pamphlet on sidewalk use, street crossing, and being visible.

ROPEWORKS: https://learntojumprope.com/ Local world champion rope jumper Rene Bibaud shares all things jump roping from the basics to advanced skills.

COSMIC KIDS: https://cosmickids.com/watch/ Everything Yoga from move along with stories to mindfulness. Choose your energy level from calm to active!

DAREBEE: https://www.darebee.com Daily workouts, monthly workouts, and more! Most have a timer, set counter, and example video. Choose your intensity-level, workout type, and target muscles.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION TV: https://www.physed.tv Learn about muscles, bones, hydration, heart health, and components of fitness in quick combination exercise videos.

GET KIDS MOVING: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCokO71NW3TgndaSNyHIqwtQ Join your favorite superheroes in short combination workout videos on this YouTube channel.

BLAZER FRESH: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQI30Jssl9ZmKqKmb4cKkvg Break a sweat learning new dance moves with this GoNoodle team on YouTube. Many align with school lessons in math, science, and more.

FLOW: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAwOTEJXH-cPTQp0LPG-uMcHtcjYmLRkw Focus your mind in the morning or calm your thoughts at the end of the day with these relaxing mindfulness videos.

o Track

o Fitness equipment

o Restrooms, drinking fountains

o Play area

o Basketball & tennis courts

o Wading pool

o Baseball, softball, soccer, football field

o Grills

o Baseball, softball, soccer, football fields

o Play area

o Restrooms, drinking fountains

o Picnic areas

o Trails

o Wading pool

o Swimming pool

o Natural area

o Trails

o Seattle’s largest greenbelt

o Includes Puget Park

o Baseball/softball fields

o Grills

o Trails

o Restrooms, drinking fountains

o Grills

o Trails

o Track

o Football field

o Baseball/softball field

o Soccer field

o Restrooms, drinking fountains

o Tennis courts

o Grills

o Play area

o Play area

o Small tricycles, etc. are often available to ride the sidewalk track

o Beach

o Views

o Includes Constellation Park

o Skate Park

o Tennis courts

o Fitness equipment

o Restrooms, drinking fountains

o Soccer and baseball fields

o Grills

o Basketball court

o Play area

o Wading pool

o Play area

o Adjacent to water tower, highest point in Seattle

o City view

o Dog off leash area

o Trails

o Restrooms

o Picnic sites

o Play area

o Play area

o Fitness equipment

o Flat lawn

o Paved loop

o Stairs to Longfellow Creek and Delridge Way SW

o Family Skate Friday evenings, Saturdays and Sundays

o Learn to Roller Skate class on Sundays

o Note: Skate rink. Not included on parks map.

o Soccer, football, and baseball fields

o Restrooms, drinking fountains

o Tennis courts

o Play area

o Tennis court

o Play area

o Baseball field

o Soccer field

o Basketball court

o Picnic sites

o Restrooms

• In 1953, Schmitz Park Elementary School opened to the public. The school sits adjacent to Schmitz Preserve Park.
• Schmitz Preserve Park was donated to the city 110 years ago by Ferdinand Schmitz and others to preserve part of the great forest in its natural state, with old-growth trees.
• The Park has changed very little change in its history. However, many years ago, cars could drive a short way into the park on "Schmitz Boulevard."
• The Park is 53 acres. 1 acre = 43,560 square feet. In 2018, the Park grew by 5,000 square feet after a neighbor sold his property to the city.
• The Park has 1.7 miles of hiking trails. One main trail leads along Schmitz Preserve Creek and its small tributaries.

PARK TRAIL MAP from https://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/hiking-and-trails

Schmitz Preserve Park has old growth forest, walking paths, Hiking and nature study.

Schmitz Preserve was donated to the city in pieces between 1908 and 1912. The most generous chunk came from a German immigrant/pioneer/banker/realtor named Ferdinand Schmitz, who served on the park commission during those years. It was Schmitz's idea, as he saw how rapidly the great forest was disappearing, to preserve part of it in its natural state.

Even Schmitz's land had not been completely untouched by logging, though. Some huge stumps in the park still show deep notches hacked high above the ground for the "spring-boards" on which axe men would stand to avoid having to chop through the lower root crown, the thickest and hardest part of the tree. After 1908, however, the new park rapidly gained popularity as a quiet complement to the West Seattle park complex. Except for the paved entrance and a parking lot at the northwest corner, the park has remained essentially unchanged ever since.

(Edited from the files of Don Sherwood, 1916-1981, Park Historian.)

It's astonishing to find, in the middle of West Seattle, as many old growth trees as you might see in a whole season of hiking at Tiger Mountain. But Schmitz Preserve Park offers exactly that! The 53.1 acre park was formed from land donated to the city between 1908 and 1912, before the area had been completely logged. The largest parcel was donated by German immigrants Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz, after whom the park is named.

There is no entry fee, and official park hours are daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The park offers 1.7 miles of hiking trails. Since there are no trail signs in the park you may want to print a trail map in advance. Go to www.seattle.gov/parks/search.htm, enter "Schmitz Preserve" in the search window and, when you get to the park page, click on "Hiking Trails."

As you walk the trails be alert for a few exceptionally large conifers, and reflect that trees like these once were common throughout the Puget Sound area. Early in the season you will see the yellow hoods of skunk cabbage, along with blooms of Indian plum, salmon berry, Oregon grape, bleeding heart and trillium. You may hear the loud calls of pileated woodpeckers and flickers, and are likely to see a number of frisky squirrels. Raccoons also are present, but are mostly nocturnal. This is just a hint of the diversity of plants and animals you might see in the park. For more complete lists, check the Ecology page at the website of the Friends of Schmitz Preserve.

Begin your hike at the corner of SW Admiral Way and SW Stevens St, next to a signboard. The first part of your hike is on what appears to be a narrow paved street. Many years ago cars could drive a short way into the park on "Schmitz Boulevard," and that road still appears on some street maps. The route once led to a small parking lot, and to a picnic area graced with a pergola. Unfortunately, those amenities often were vandalized and they were removed in the late 1940s. Today, the street is gated and is part of the park's trail system.

The trails lead generally upstream along Schmitz Preserve Creek and its small tributaries, with some routes reaching higher points on the southern, eastern or western park boundaries. If you like to explore, you can simply meander the trails with a map in hand. Or, for a more structured hike follow the suggestions here.

About 700 feet from the trailhead come to a trail fork and stay left. In another 500 feet come to another trail fork and stay left again. After 350 additional feet, come to a trail crossing. You can explore the left branch if you like. It gains about 150 feet to reach the eastern boundary of the park at SW Hinds St, next to a storm water pumping station. If you elect to do this side trip, afterwards you'll need to backtrack to the trail crossing. To explore this branch, head sharply left upstream.

In 600 feet or so, come to a trail junction. Beyond this point the route becomes steeper and more primitive, and there may be blowdowns. You can explore it if you like, but fortunately there is an easier alternative!

At the trail junction, when you are contemplating that very first blowdown, look off to your right. You will discover another trail heading gently uphill. It's not shown on your map but it does seem to be a well-maintained trail, likely intended as a replacement for the route that has all the obstacles. It climbs steadily through a few switchbacks and arrives at the southern park boundary at the corner of SW Orleans St and 53rd Ave SW, where you will have come up about 220 feet from your trailhead. A neighbor there has erected wood sculptures of creatures both real and mythical that gaze out whimsically on the trail.

Well, it's a small park and already you have hiked from the trailhead up to the southern boundary, and perhaps taken that optional side-trip to the eastern boundary too. Now you need to return to that trail junction by the first log blowdown. There, as you are facing downhill, the trail fork to your right is the one you arrived on. So, to add some variety on your return, take the left fork now.

In about 1,000 feet pass a trail junction and continue on down the canyon. In another 200 feet or so you may notice a good trail heading gently uphill to your left. If you were to explore that route it would climb about 75 feet and take you to the west park boundary at Hanford St. But, perversely, you would find a sign there, facing the street, announcing that the trail is closed and that you should not enter! Of course that's not mentioned at the lower end of the trail.

Back on the main trail, a few feet downstream from the route that leads up to Hanford St, come to another trail junction. The right fork crosses the creek on a rustic set of stones and rejoins the trail you hiked in on, and that will take you back to your trailhead.

If, instead, you were to take the left trail fork it would follow along the creek, pass under the SW Admiral Way Bridge with its profusion of colorful graffiti art, then continue on to reach the Alki Playfield. You can take that side trip if you like although it's less scenic than the rest of the park. If you do, then you'll need to return to the creek crossing to find the route that takes you back to your trailhead.

On the routes mentioned above you will be hiking mostly east of the creek on your hike in, and mostly west of the creek on your return. The map indicates a number of other short trails between these two routes, and they are worth exploring. The entire park includes only 1.7 miles of trails, so you can easily hike them all in a morning or an afternoon.

Schmitz Park, also known as Schmitz Preserve Park, is a 53.1-acre (21.5 ha) park around 15 blocks east of Alki Point in West Seattle, Washington. It features Schmitz Park Creek and one of the last stands of old-growth forest in the city.

Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz donated 30 acres (12 ha) of the park to the city in 1908. They wanted their land to be used as a park. (Ferdinand was a German immigrant who moved to Seattle in 1887 and was the city's Parks Commissioner from 1908 to 1914). Additions to the park were purchased in 1909, 1930, 1947, and 1958, making the park grow over 20 more acres (8 ha).

In 1949, a "preservation policy" was applied to Schmitz Park. It stated that only foot trails were allowed and all signs were to be removed from inside the park's borders. This policy still remains today.

In 1953, Schmitz Park Elementary School opened to the public. The school sits adjacent to Schmitz Park.

In January 2018 Seattle City Council Bill No. CB 119169 authorized the purchase of a 5,000-sq. ft. lot at the southeast edge of the park from Bruce Stotler for $225,000, less than half its assessed value.