VANCOUVER — Hundreds of Vancouver children will continue enjoying free summer recreation, healthy meals, and safe places to play, thanks to a $25,000 investment from the McClaskey Foundation through the Parks Foundation of Clark County.
For more than two decades, the Summer Playgrounds Program has provided free, summer recreation for children while creating safe places to play, stay active, and enjoy nutritious meals when school is out of session.
Operating at Evergreen Park, Hough Elementary, and Crestline Elementary, the six-week program serves children ages 6–11 in neighborhoods where access to affordable summer programming is often limited. In partnership with the USDA Summer Meals Program, every participant receives a healthy lunch each day.
The Parks Foundation of Clark County worked closely with the McClaskey Foundation to direct this investment into one of Vancouver's longest-running and most impactful youth recreation programs.
"This is exactly why the Parks Foundation exists," said Sean Janson, Development Director for the Parks Foundation of Clark County. "We connect generous community partners with meaningful opportunities to improve lives through parks and recreation. We're incredibly grateful to the McClaskey Foundation for believing in this program and making it possible for hundreds of children to enjoy a safe, active, and memorable summer."
The Summer Playgrounds Program traces its roots back to the leadership of former Parks Foundation Board President and former Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt, whose vision helped establish a program that has become a cornerstone of summer recreation for families across Vancouver.
"I also want to recognize Tim Leavitt for helping create and champion this program," Janson said. "Twenty years later, we're seeing the lasting impact of that vision. Generations of kids have grown up attending Summer Playgrounds, with many returning as volunteers and even staff members. That kind of legacy is what community investment is all about."
Representatives from the Parks Foundation, City of Vancouver, and the McClaskey Foundation recently visited Evergreen Park to see the Summer Playgrounds Program in action and celebrate the partnership that continues to support local families.
"My first introduction to the Summer Playgrounds Program came through former Vancouver Mayor Tim Leavitt. As we talked about how meaningful summer programs were in our own childhoods, I came to appreciate the lasting impact they have on children and families today. Over the years, I've been inspired by the number of children who participate and the joy they experience. The McClaskey Foundation has proudly supported the Summer Playgrounds Program for the past 12 years, and we look forward to continuing that partnership." — Lyn Angelo, Board Member, McClaskey Foundation
Over the years, the program has become much more than a summer camp. It has helped transform Evergreen Park into a vibrant community gathering place while providing thousands of children with opportunities to learn, play, and build lifelong memories in a safe environment.
Families can learn more about the Summer Playgrounds Program by visiting:
https://www.cityofvancouver.us/government/department/parks-recreation-and-cultural-services/recreation-activities/recreation-camps/
About Parks Foundation of Clark County
The Parks Foundation of Clark County is building a healthier, more connected community through parks. As Clark County's nonprofit champion for parks, trails, and recreation, the Foundation inspires philanthropy and invests in projects and programs that expand access to the outdoors, strengthen community connections, inspire stewardship, and create lasting places where everyone can unplug, play, and explore.
