Nature Tots at Carkeek Park

I learned last week that this incredible preschool program called "Nature Play" at Carkeek Park will be cut from Seattle's budget come January. I feel so sad. I take the boys to this class every week. I understand that Seattle is in the middle of a financial crisis and cuts need to be made somewhere. Why in the world did the tax on soda and candy get repealed? Seriously, I can't believe that Washingtonians threw down every single tax initiative this past election. People don't want more taxes, I get it, but the money has to come from somewhere. Why in the world not from candy and soda, two non nutritional, non healthful items we ingest. Golly!

Back to the Carkeek Park sadness. We really, really love this program. It is exactly what I believe to be important for the brains and bodies of little ones. There is nothing I would rather be doing than tromping around in a dew covered meadow with Jasper and Gideon once a week. Learning about spiders or rocks or trees or soil in a book is wonderful but nothing beats having a first-hand interaction with nature. I just sent off this letter to each and every single Seattle City Council members and the Parks Division Director.

I learned last week that Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center will be closing its doors come January as a result of the Mayor's proposed budget for 2011. I wanted to express my profound sadness and disappointment over this public service cut.

I am the mother of two young boys aged 3.5 and 1.5. We attend the Carkeek Park preschool program "Nature Play" weekly. They love it! They love the teachers, Stephanie and Brian. They love running through the meadow. They love hugging the trees. They love learning about the salmon. They love planting new Western Hemlocks in the tot garden.

How can we expect the next generation to care for the our home, planet earth, without having this kind of interaction with our outdoor world and nature? I am of the opinion that this type of education and public service is priceless and what sets our community apart from others. My husband is a student at UW and we don't have the money to send our little ones off to an expensive, indoor preschool. Personally, I think this incredible outdoor preschool experience is so much healthier for their little brains and bodies anyway.

I know I do not stand alone on this issue. I would stand up with the other mothers that feel the same way and together we say, "The future of our earth is in the hands of our children! We need these programs to educate and instill our youth with a respect for mother earth. Do not underestimate this simple, public service. Please reconsider cutting environmental education for the young!"

There will be a public hearing on November 22nd which I will be sure to attend and stand up and support what I wrote. I feel strongly that if we band together as citizens maybe we can make a difference.

Here are a bunch of pictures from the fabulous Tot program at Carkeek Park:

Spiders




Salmon Eggs



Planting Trees








Howling like a wolf


In the pouring rain


Jasper hooting like an owl


Running in the meadow


Counting Pumpkins


Painting






Nurse log


Jasper and teacher Brian