ParksRec – Page 5 – City and Borough of Juneau

Celebrate Grand Reopening of Adair-Kennedy Baseball & Softball Field on April 26

Join Juneau Parks & Recreation for the Grand Reopening and Rededication Ceremony of Adair-Kennedy Baseball & Softball Field on Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m.

Come celebrate the exciting upgrades to this beloved community space, honor the field’s legacy, and help us kick off a brand-new chapter in local baseball and softball. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, this is your chance to see the improvements and reconnect with the heart of Juneau’s ballfield community.

The celebration will take place in conjunction with Gastineau Little League’s Opening Day ceremony. All are welcome—let’s play ball!

For questions, contact Juneau Parks & Recreation at (907) 586-5226.

April 22nd, 2025|

ZGYS director Jorden Nigro recognized as 2025 Alaska Champion for Kids

The City and Borough of Juneau is proud to announce that Jorden Nigro, director of Parks & Recreation’s Zach Gordon Youth Services division, has been recognized by the Alaska Children’s Trust as a 2025 Champion for Kids.

ACT’s annual Champion for Kids awards recognize individuals who demonstrate dedication and commitment in working to ensure that children and youth are living in safe, supportive and nurturing communities. Jorden will receive the award at a ceremony in Anchorage on Thursday, April 24.

“It’s humbling to receive this recognition from ACT,” Jorden said. “I am eternally grateful to get to do work I love with a team I love in the community I love. I hope this brings attention to the work happening in Youth Services and the commitment our team and our partners make every day to show up for young people in our community—young magical people who deserve safety, joy, love and to be seen for exactly who they are. It truly does take a village and I’m proud to be a part of this one.”

Jorden, a lifelong Southeast Alaskan, began her work with young people in 1999 at Juneau’s shelter for runaway and homeless youth. She has led Parks & Recreation’s youth services for the past decade, where her achievements include helping grow the drop-in Zach Gordon Youth Center into a full continuum of care—including prevention, intervention, and a 10-bed emergency shelter and transitional housing program, Shéiyi Xaat Hit (Spruce Root House). She also helped launch a scattered-site Rapid Rehousing program.

Most recently, Jorden has led the launch of new after-school programs in two Juneau neighborhoods, meeting children and families in the neighborhoods where they live to provide a safe, fun, and supportive environment after school.

“Jorden truly embodies the spirit of community and public service that we all strive for,” said CBJ Manager Katie Koester. “Her passion for making sure the youngest and most vulnerable in our community are safe and well cared for is evident in everything she does. We’re proud to see her work receive this well-deserved recognition.”

Learn more about ACT Champions for Kids at alaskachildrenstrust.org/champions-for-kids.

Learn more about Zach Gordon Youth Services at juneau.org/parks-recreation/zach-gordon.

April 22nd, 2025|

Watch “The Wild Robot” at Treadwell Arena’s Movie in the Park April 27

Join Juneau Parks & Recreation for a Movie in the Park at Treadwell Arena! Lace up your skates—or watch from the bleachers—for “The Wild Robot” (PG) on Sunday, April 27. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the show begins at 6:30 p.m.

This event is presented by SEARHC.

Space on the ice is limited to 125 skaters. Regular admission rates apply (passes are accepted) and include skate rental on a first-come, first-served basis. Space in the bleachers is free of charge. Remember to dress for the ice!

Food and drink are welcome off the ice, and popcorn will be available for purchase.

For questions, contact Juneau Parks & Recreation at (907) 586-5226.

April 21st, 2025|

Register now for 6th annual Walk Southeast

Hit the trails, go for a walk, or even jump on the treadmill in Juneau Parks & Recreation’s annual virtual trek from Juneau to Ketchikan. Walk Southeast is a free and fun activity that helps you stay active by tracking miles you walk, run, or hike between May 1 and September 1. The more miles you log, the more chances you have to win in a local prize drawing. Hit 150 miles and get entered in the Alaska Airlines drawing for two round-trip tickets. To qualify, you must also be registered, live in Alaska, and submit your tracker by September 2. Register now through May 7 at walksoutheast.org.

Walk Southeast, created by Juneau Parks & Recreation, is a region-wide activity. This year Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Petersburg vie for the title of 2025 Walk Southeast champion, which goes to the community with the highest average of miles walked per participant. All participants register through walksoutheast.org.

Registered participants have two options to track miles: a traditional fillable/printable PDF Mileage Tracker or the My Virtual Mission app presented by SEARHC. For all the details, go to walksoutheast.org or the Facebook event.

Join Juneau Parks & Recreation to kick off the challenge at Twin Lakes on Sunday, May 4 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Get help setting up your My Virtual Mission app, enter a prize drawing, and add a couple miles to your tracker with a walk along the lake. Door prizes will be drawn throughout and a #teamjuneau group photo will be taken at about 2 p.m.

April 15th, 2025|

Evergreen Cemetery awarded Level 1 Arboretum Accreditation

CBJ Parks & Recreation Department is pleased to announce that Evergreen Cemetery has been awarded a Level 1 Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program and The Morton Arboretum for achieving particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens.

The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to officially recognize arboreta at various levels of development, capacity, and professionalism. Evergreen Cemetery is also now recognized as an accredited arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.

Evergreen Cemetery joins the Jensen-Olson Arboretum as Juneau’s only certified and accredited arboreta.

Evergreen Cemetery was established in 1891 and deeded to CBJ in 1907. Today it is operated and maintained by CBJ Parks & Recreation. One of downtown Juneau’s most popular local green spaces, the cemetery is home to 41 species, varieties and cultivars of trees and woody shrubs.

You can locate these trees and plants yourself on the interactive Tree Map, available on the Evergreen webpage or by scanning a QR code in the park space.

For more information about ArbNet accreditation, visit arbnet.org. For more information about CBJ parks and green spaces, visit Parks & Recreation’s Find A Park.

For questions, contact CBJ Parks & Recreation at (907) 586-5226.

April 3rd, 2025|