Last year was a groundbreaking year – not only because of the PenMet Parks Recreation Center grand opening, but also because of advancements and expansion in programming that allowed us to serve more people than ever before in every area across the district.
This growth is highlighted in the recently released PenMet Parks 2025 Annual Report. This report is one of the ways we share how our programs and the work we do impacts our community.
In 2025 we saw a 29% increase in participation in our programming and events, as highlighted in the report. We increased the total number of programs offered from 761 in 2024 to 991 in 2025 – a 30% increase – and saw nearly 130,000 participant hours in our recreation programs alone.
Additionally, in just the first six months of its opening we saw approximately 45,000 visitors to the PenMet Parks Recreation Center Campus – that includes the center and Neighborhood Greens Mini Golf Course.
We took steps in 2025 to make sure cost is never a barrier to participation in our events and programming. We increased our need-based financial assistance by 85% – a new high.
We saw dramatic increases in offerings of key program areas for seniors, adults and people with disabilities. And we saw increases in
volunteerism and grant funding that support the parks and recreation services we provide. The results are impressive, but the impact on people
is immeasurable.
Last year truly was a groundbreaking year, but our work is not done. We are committed to continuing to improve the services we offer through innovative practices and enhance our thriving community by stewarding meaningful places and delivering memorable programs for generations to come.
As we build on what we accomplished in 2025 we look forward to 2026 and beyond as we continue our work to enhance the quality of life on the peninsula by providing parks and recreation opportunities for our community.
