COVID-19 News & Updates

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This page was last updated on February 7, 2023.

Vaccine Requirements

As of February 6, 2023, King County no longer requires proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of Executive Branch employment. In addition, vendors, volunteers, official board and commission members, and contractors no longer need to provide proof of vaccination. King County will continue to follow public health guidance and adjust its policies if and when conditions warrant.

Visit the King County website for more information.

Mask Guidance

As of March 12, 2022, masks are no longer required in King County Parks indoor or outdoor facilities.

Please visit King County mask guidance for more information.

Volunteer Events

King County Parks volunteers are no longer required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination per the Executive Order that went into effect on February 6, 2023.

For more tips on how to recreate responsibly while enjoying the outdoors, visit recreateresponsibly.org. 

Comments

26 responses to “COVID-19 News & Updates”

  1. Will Cummings Avatar
    Will Cummings

    What is the purpose in requiring volunteers to be vaccinated against COVID since we now know that the vaccines don’t prevent transmission of the virus? Why aren’t any other vaccines required? The data from multiple reputable sources clearly demonstrates that COVID vaccination rates are lower in those communities which suffer from economic deprivation and vaccination rates also lag among certain ethnic minorities who have historically faced systemic racism. Given that there is no science-based reason to exclude these communities from civic participation, and given that such exclusion perpetuates inequity, should not the county rethink this policy in terms of racial and social justice?

    Reply
  2. realtywa Avatar
    realtywa

    When is KCAC scheduled to open? Most pools in the state are currently open for swimming and diving.

    Reply
    1. King County Parks Avatar
      King County Parks

      Sorry for the delayed response, we didn’t see this comment come in! While it’s accurate that indoor pools are permitted to open under the Roadmap to Recovery Plan, WKCAC presents some unique challenges to re-opening, due in part to its size as a world-class competitive facility. The health and safety of our employees and visitors is a top concern, and we are working with our public health colleagues to determine a path for safely re-opening the facility and welcoming back our swimmers and divers that we’ve missed so much this past year. Local teams are also developing required safety plans for returning to their training and programs at the facility. At this time, we don’t have a specific date to re-open and we look forward to providing an update in March. Thank you for your interest in WKCAC!

      Reply
      1. Jim Avatar
        Jim

        Since you’re wasting tax money on your time supposedly watching this site and answering, but since you haven’t and you have 1 whole response to your comment, maybe this isn’t the way to get info out. Your information is working out of date, your phone numbers are disconnected and you probably won’t see this for three months. Question: are vax cards needed tomorrow at Marymoor?

  3. Cliff Rudolph Avatar
    Cliff Rudolph

    Hello King County Parks! When will you update your guidelines to reflect the Governors announcement on 10/7 to allow some youth sports?

    Reply
    1. King County Parks Avatar
      King County Parks

      We will begin allowing games and such starting Oct 15. We’ll be updating this site shortly with details and our scheduling staff are in the process of reaching out to leagues and teams.

      Reply
  4. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    As a mother of young children what am I supposed to do with my baby and toddler when I need to use the restroom at a park and my only option is a porta potty? In a normal bathroom I push the stroller in but I’m not able to do that in a porta potty. Seems unsanitary to place them on floor of porta potty. Why not put a sign on regular bathroom requesting limited capacity and keep open.

    Reply
  5. LLewis Avatar
    LLewis

    Are school playgrounds open in King County?

    Reply
    1. King County Parks Avatar
      King County Parks

      Sorry for the delayed response – we didn’t see your question until now! We suggest checking with your local school district, as they make the policies regarding their property. The play areas located in parks maintained by King County Parks have been open since June.

      Reply
  6. Alissa Avatar
    Alissa

    What exactly are “play areas”? Playgrounds?

    Reply
    1. King County Parks Avatar
      King County Parks

      Correct

      Reply
      1. Alissa Gulick Avatar
        Alissa Gulick

        All of the playgrounds in Bellevue/Kirkland are still taped off. It says here play areas are open. I’m not understanding why they are still taped off then?

      2. King County Parks Avatar
        King County Parks

        The Cities of Bellevue and Kirkland have their own parks systems, which are independent of the parks and trails that King County Parks takes care of. Please check directly with those cities to see what decisions they have made regarding their playgrounds.

  7. drianosnyahoocom Avatar
    drianosnyahoocom

    The Governor approved the opening of public pools at reduced capacity 2 weeks ago:
    https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/COVID19%20Modified%20Phase%201%20Mini%20Golf%20Putt%20Putt%20and%20Water%20Recreation.pdf
    When will the KCAC open?

    Reply
  8. Mary F Jones Avatar
    Mary F Jones

    Someone on the phone said there is a list of parks that have bathrooms open. I don’t see any such list here. Specifically are the restrooms at Farrell McWhirter open? Going to a park to social distance is the only option for our family this Father’s Day.

    Reply
    1. King County Parks Avatar
      King County Parks

      Looks like you’re talking about a Redmond City park: https://www.redmond.gov/288/Farrel-McWhirter-Park. Here’s Redmond’s covid response page: https://www.redmond.gov/1356/Covid-19-Coronavirus-Information

      Reply
  9. Annabel Avatar
    Annabel

    If the tennis courts are open as part of modified phase 1, why are they still locked with the nets removed? Thanks!

    Reply
    1. King County Parks Avatar
      King County Parks

      What park are you referring to? We can make sure to let our staff know! We are working hard to get our facilities re-opened, but have limited staff at this time. This week, we are onboarding some seasonal employees (which we do in March normally), and we hope to have our system open per the modified phase 1 guidelines by the end of the month.

      Reply
  10. Cliff Avatar
    Cliff

    Why are you not allowing youth sports to participate in organized athletics if they have leased fields and are following phase 1.5 guidelines?

    Reply
    1. King County Parks Avatar
      King County Parks

      We will soon begin taking reservations from youth sports and other recreation organizations for our ballfields and will post information on this page when those details become available. Effective June 8, ballfields can be used for informal recreation for groups of 5 or fewer from outside the household. Physical distancing is required during all activities.

      Reply
  11. A friend of Gary Larson Avatar
    A friend of Gary Larson

    It is Myopic to Keep the Bathrooms
    LOCKED at Vashon’s Dockton Park on an ISLAND! A rural Community that is CVRY DIFFERENT than the REST OF this County and not prone to Crowds or overcrowded non socially distant ignorance! A Dozen Miles or more & a $25 Ferry ride and hours away from any urban areas where there May Be a reason to Keep such facilities from the public! PLEASE PLEASE RESTORE THE FACILITY TO A RURAL COMMUNITY WHERE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED SHOWERS!
    Thanks for your Time and Consideration & Hopefully Your Support, as well!

    Reply
    1. Brad Avatar
      Brad

      The purpose is to keep people safe. Do your business at your home.

      Reply
  12. Jilliann Postforoosh Avatar
    Jilliann Postforoosh

    Dear King County Parks,
    A great way to spread disease is to close toilets so people have no sanitary place to go to the bathroom. There are diseases other than Covid-19!!! Even if people stay local to recreate people still have to go bathroom. Please open public bathrooms at the trailheads and provide hand sanitizer.

    Reply
    1. Chris Avatar
      Chris

      Amen! LET’s open up all the parks…Now they are shutting down Five Mile Lake Park, because they said people are not complying…Complying with what? Complying with the governor’s edicts and dictates…We paid a huge Levy last year as property tax owners for these parks. We OWN these parks, LET’S TAKE THEM BACK FOLKS…It’s time to rise up and take what is ours, not some two-bit Authoritarian in Olympia…

      Reply
  13. PEARL L MCCARTY Avatar
    PEARL L MCCARTY

    On july 17th will concert be open?

    Reply
    1. King County Parks Avatar
      King County Parks

      You can find information about the Marymoor Park Concerts here: https://www.marymoorconcerts.com/. They have rescheduled many shows to 2021 and have a calendar of events on their website.

      Reply

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