Seattle Parks and Recreation partners with the YMCA to provide free swim lessons to qualifying children through the Swim Seattle 2024 initiative starting Spring 2024.

Nineteen new sites in Michigan were added to the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for their historical significance and potential economic benefit.

Brooklyn Park offers a packed social calendar including food distribution, summer camp registration, cultural tours, yoga, Winterfest, and a basketball league. No sign-up is needed for the food event, and financial assistance is available for camps.

Plans for a large octopus farm in the Canary Islands face criticism over ethical and environmental concerns, with opponents and author Sy Montgomery stressing the intelligence of octopuses and questioning sustainability claims.

Seattle Parks and Recreation opens applications for summer picnic spots, using a lottery system starting the first business day in March, with a first-come, first-served policy post-February.

Ludington State Park in Michigan will close from September 2024 to July 2025 for extensive renovations, affecting all facilities including campsites and recreational areas.

The Kite Café will take over Golden Gardens Bathhouse food operations, offering east-coast style sandwiches and beach-friendly snacks starting in May.

Seattle's Little Saigon Park is preparing for its June opening with cultural events and a children's play area, following challenges such as soil issues and design changes.

The Oakland Zoo provided a haven for a rescued marmoset named Estrela, emphasizing the struggle against illegal pet trade and the challenges of accommodating such animals.

Portland's conservation group has rebranded from Portland Audubon to Bird Alliance of Oregon, dissociating from John James Audubon's controversial legacy.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Portland is nominated for Newsweek's 'Best Botanical Garden' in the 2024 awards, against major U.S. contenders.

The Green Macomb Tree and Plant Sale offers a variety of trees, including conifers, deciduous, and fruit-bearing trees, for local gardeners until April 5.

St. Louis Park officials announce "Walk the Park," a community walking event on Feb. 10, offering 1 – 2-mile treks indoors or on trails, depending on the weather.