“We Belong and We’re Here to Stay” – Disability Pride Month 2025 at King County Parks
Crossposted from King County Parks What is Disability Pride Month? Disability Pride Month is an annual observance commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act into law in July of 1990. The month has been recognized as a time to celebrate and uplift individuals with disabilities. It serves as a reminder that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and included. While the ADA prohibited discrimination against individuals with disabilities, many physical and attitudinal barriers remain, and each day we are taking one step closer to addressing those barriers. Our Employees… Read More
King County Department of Local Services recognized nationally for ‘Local Services Wants to Speak Your Language’ outreach efforts
Crossposted from King County Local The King County Department of Local Services earned a prestigious recognition for its efforts to reach and engage community members who speak languages other than English in the unincorporated areas. The department recently won a Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Award from the National Association of Government Communicators in the Multicultural Communications Program category for its comprehensive effort, also known as “Local Services Wants to Speak Your Language.” The approach consisted of three main elements: Read more.
Join Metro in upcoming summer parades!
Summer is here—and with it comes the opportunity to show your King County pride in some of the region’s biggest community celebrations! Employees are invited to participate in either (or both!) of the following upcoming parades and events. Participation is completely optional, unpaid, and on your own time. Whether you join the route or cheer from the sidelines, it’s a fun way to connect with community, coworkers, and share in the spirit of summer. Upcoming events: Seafair Torchlight Parade on Saturday, July 26, from 7:30–10:30 p.m. Starts at Alaskan Way & Broad… Read More
Seattle’s Aurora Avenue N. gets 24/7 bus lanes, giving nearly 14,000 daily riders better service
Crossposted from Metro Matters Thanks to voter-approved funding through the Seattle Transportation Levy and Seattle Transit Measure, buses will run more smoothly during Revive I-5, other summer construction, and beyond, improving the citywide transit network and keeping people moving. We’ve completed major improvements along Aurora Avenue N. in partnership with King County Metro, adding expanded 24/7 bus lanes from downtown Seattle to N. 145th St, the city’s northern limits! These all-day bus-only lanes improve frequency and reliability on Metro’s highest-ridership route, the RapidRide E Line, for nearly 14,000 transit riders daily. Read more.
Celebrating a record number of graduates from King County Children, Youth and Young Adult Division programs!
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections More than 234 young people celebrated earning their secondary credentials (GEDs or high school diplomas) last month thanks to several programs managed by the department’s Children, Youth, and Young Adults Division (CYYAD). Many of these young people also earned college credits. CYYAD operates three learning centers for young people ages 16 to 24. Run by our team of dedicated social services professionals, these centers engage young people by connecting them with education and employment services after leaving or being pushed out of traditional high school without a credential. Read more.
Refuge Outdoor Festival returns to King County’s Tolt MacDonald Park and Campground, elevating BIPOC youth leadership in the outdoors
King County Parks welcomes the Refuge Outdoor Festival back to Tolt MacDonald Park and Campground in Carnation for its eighth year Aug 22-24, offering a weekend of workshops, outdoor recreation, art, music and community in nature designed by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. In a climate of shrinking public investment in outdoor recreation, organizers view the festival’s continued presence as a reflection of deep community resilience. “We’re proud to continue hosting the Refuge Outdoor Festival at Tolt MacDonald Park and Campground and to support events that reflect the diversity… Read More
Sunday, June 29: Pride Parade!
Join us at the Seattle Pride Parade on Sunday, June 29. King County’s contingent will meet at 10:45 a.m. on 4th Avenue between Seneca Street and Spring Street. The parade begins moving at 11 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. If you need assistance getting to the staging area you can meet Metro’s Pride bus on 6th Avenue, between S. Royal Brougham Way and S. Atlantic Street, across from the parking garage, at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday. The bus will leave at 9:45 a.m. and will return to 6th Avenue once it… Read More
Recognizing Juneteenth
Crossposted from Metro Matters On Thursday, June 19, we recognize Juneteenth—a celebration of the freedom of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It’s a time to gather in community, reflect on our nation’s long and unfinished journey towards equity, and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice. As part of this year’s reflection, Transit Facilities Division Director Adé Franklin shares what Juneteenth means to him, how it shapes his leadership, and why it matters to the work we do every day at Metro. Following his foreword are reflections from a few Metro… Read More
Honoring Juneteenth: A day to learn, reflect, and act
Dear fellow King County employee, As we prepare to celebrate Juneteenth tomorrow, June 19, I want to take a moment to recognize the deep significance of this day, not only in American history, but also in our collective journey toward racial justice, equity, and freedom. Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It is a day that represents the long and ongoing struggle for true racial equity and freedom,… Read More
Juneteenth: A personal reflection on freedom, struggle, and pride as a Black man in modern America
By a Black man living in modern history -William Herbert, Human Resources professional with Metro Transit Mobility Division, and Water and Land Resources Division Foreword Every year, June 19th rolls around, and for many in America, it may pass like any other summer day. But for me—as a Black man, military veteran, husband, and father living in modern-day America—Juneteenth is not just a date in history. It’s a mirror. A memorial. A celebration. And a call to action. It’s a day that encapsulates the joy of freedom, the weight of delayed justice,… Read More
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