USGA releases parking and spectator guidelines for the 2015 U.S. Open

Included in the 2015 Spectator Guide, found at usopen.com/knowbeforeyougo, is a detailed transportation plan prepared in conjunction with the lead law enforcement agency, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, and other local and state agencies. More than 21,000 satellite parking spaces have been secured in the local area, providing the public with free parking and complimentary shuttle service directly to the championship grounds.

The spectator routing system will use more than 150 trail signs deployed throughout the area and 290 shuttle buses to help ensure trouble-free travel to and from the championship. Handicap-accessible parking spaces will be available at all championship parking areas for vehicles displaying appropriate HP/DP license plates or placards.

Much more information can be found at Pierce County's website.

Puget Sound Amateur Championship

The 50^th annual Puget Sound Amateur returns to Lake Spanaway Golf Course, May 16-17. This is one of the South Sound’s most recognized amateur tournaments. It includes a two day individual medalist event and features some of the best amateur players in the Pacific Northwest. Enter to play or come out and watch.

Let’s play ball! T-ball and coach-pitch

Register May 13-27 for T-Ball or Coach Pitch for ages 5-8. Practices and games are at Spanaway Park and Gonyea Playfields in the Parkland/Tacoma area. The cost is $45 per youth which includes t-shirt. Volunteer coaches are needed for the program. If interested, please call 253-798-4091. Click here to register.

Bricks for Kidz - Kids Night Out

On Friday, May 29 send your kids to the Bricks 4 Kidz Night Out while you have an evening to yourself. Open to children ages 5-13, it is a night filled with motorized model building with LEGO Bricks. The event begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m. at Frontier Park, in Graham.

Fees are $25 for the 1^st child, $15 for the 2^nd child and $5 for each additional child. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Register online or call (253) 798-4177.

Partner Profile: Dr. Colleen Hacker

For the past 23 years Dr. Colleen Hacker has partnered with Pierce County Parks and Recreation to offer the Colleen Hacker Success Soccer Camp for boys and girls ages 6-17. This camp, held the fourth week of June each year, originally started at Gonyea Playfield and was moved to Sprinker Recreation Center as it grew in popularity. Alternative sentence(s): Dr. Hacker has designed this camp to truly inspire young players to love the game while playing hard, learning new skills, and having fun. The large numbers of returning players each year speaks to her success.

Dr. Hacker has more than 30 years experience in higher education and is currently a Professor in Kinesiology at Pacific Lutheran University. In her remarkable career she has coached three Collegiate Women’s Soccer National Championships, is a member of the coaching staff of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, a consultant for women’s professional soccer, and she has served on the coaching staff of the United States Women’s National Soccer Team. She just served on her 5^th Olympic Games Coaching Staff in Sochi, Russia helping USA Hockey win a Silver Medal. She has been honored with many awards, the most recent being the 1^st female recipient of the Prestigious International Applied Sport Psychology Award.

The coaching staff for the Success Soccer Camp is made up of many of Coach Hacker’s past players, along with high school and college coaches – all wonderful with children and all with a deep passion for the game of soccer. During the one week camp, Coach Hacker shares her philosophy, technical skills, and her experience as a collegiate coach, Team USA, World Cup and Olympic coach with the participants.

“Colleen’s involvement with this camp and our department has been absolutely incredible, especially knowing how busy her schedule is. There has been more than one occasion over the years where she has flown from camp to a World Cup coaching location, and returned back to camp to share her experiences with the campers. You will not find a better program any place in the country with the expertise of this coaching staff and their true commitment to a positive environment and love for the game of soccer,” commented Scott Hall, Superintendent of Recreation. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with Colleen and her amazing staff.”

Learn more about the Success Soccer Camp here

Summer activity guide is out now!

Summer is just around the corner. Plan you family’s vacation or enjoy activities for outdoor fun with the Pierce County Parks and Recreation Summer Program Guide.

The guide contains 48 pages of recreation activities and classes including summer camps, outdoor adventures, free family events, facility rentals and special events.

Click here to view current activities or check out the digital activity guide complete with links to online registration.

Camp Pierce: special needs camp registration opens Tuesday, May 5

This summer we’re offering Camp Pierce, a camp for young adults ages 21-30 years with special needs. Campers at this one-of-a-kind program in Pierce County will spend 2-3 days a week out in the community, volunteering at various sites around the county. This will give our campers an opportunity to experience communicating with new people in new environments while gaining experience that they can then use to build their resumes for future volunteer opportunities and work.

When they’re not out in the community, campers will have the opportunity to experience a more traditional summer camp setting, but with modifications for the age group and purpose of the camp. They will work on filling out applications, learning to ride public transportation, learning basic kitchen skills and cooking, and playing sports, games and activities.

Interested individuals can go to http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/index.aspx?nid=4152 or call Recreation Coordinator Jenn Sergent at (253) 798-2997 for more information.

Calling all campers for Camp Lots of Fun!

Camp Lots of Fun is a 4-week day camp July 6-31, designed to provide a variety of enjoyable recreational opportunities for youth and young adults ages 6-21 with special needs. The program fee includes fun activities, weekly themes, arts and crafts, special visitors, field trips, sports activities, and a carnival.

Registration begins Monday, May 4 and is limited to first 80 campers. Camp details and registration, click here.

Just 45 days until Chambers Bay makes history

The U.S. Open is the largest sporting event to be held in the Pacific Northwest. In preparation for the championship, Pierce County and the USGA are implementing a phased-in approach to preserve public access to the park as long as possible during the set-up.

On May 26, the following closures will take place at Chambers Creek Regional Park:

Grandview Trail
Chambers Bay Golf Course
Playground by the Sound

For more information on the U.S. Open at Chambers Bay, please click here.

Upcoming events at Sprinker Recreation Center

The WIAA West Central District high school fastpitch playoffs will be held at Sprinker in May. Get all the dates, times and information here.
Sprinker will also host a US Figure Skating Competition May 15-17 put on by the Lakewood Winter Club. Find out more about the May Blades event here.
Lastly, the Sprinker Tennis Center will host the WCD high school tennis playoffs as well. Again, see the dates and times and get more information here.