On Wednesday, May 20, 2020, the City of Des Moines announced that it is suspending summer programs like Camp KHAOS, along with sports camps and clinics.

On the bright side, the Redondo boat launch has been re-opened, the Senior Activity Center continues to provide hot to-go lunches, and free meal vouchers to local restaurants are being offered to Senior Citizens and Veterans.

Local parks also remain open and available for use with appropriate social distancing measures.

Here’s the full announcement:

The City of Des Moines has always appreciated being able to offer quality and a variety of summer programs each year. These programs offered by Parks, Recreation & Senior Services are important to the community, and the staff look forward to these programs each year. Most important, however, this year, the safety of our participants, instructors, staff and community are our paramount concern. This stems from public health considerations to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

In order to enhance community safety protect our children families and staff, Camp KHAOS and sports camps/clinics will be suspended for in-person attendance this summer. Together with other cities and Parks Departments around King County we are working together to share ideas and brainstorm creative ways to safely provide programming, which could include virtual programs.

The Senior Activity Center continues to provide hot to-go lunches Monday through Thursday, as well as free meal vouchers to local restaurants for Senior Citizens and Veterans through a new City program called Emergency Assistance to Seniors and Veterans (E.A.T.S).

The Redondo boat launch has been re-opened, with parking available for vehicles utilizing the boat launch (boat trailers) only.

Our parks remain open and available for local use with appropriate social distancing measures.

We look forward to sharing more information with you as it becomes available.

If you have questions please feel free to contact Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, Nicole Nordholm, [email protected] or Recreation Manager, Rick Scott, [email protected].

As always, the City Council, and City staff continue to be dedicated to supporting our citizens in this unprecedented and ever changing and dangerous time. We will continue to assess ways in which to move forward safely to best serve our community.

Thank you for your understanding and your continued support of community safety.