St. Helens Parks and Recreation Program

06/02/2026

The Friends of McCormick Park are hosting a volunteer work party this Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon!

This Saturday's work party will focus on preparing for an upcoming donation of native shrubs and ground cover in partnership with the Xerces Society (https://www.xerces.org/) this fall. Come assist with trimming grass, mulching, watering spring plantings, clearing blackberries and periwinkle, and prepping sites for fall plantings.

No prior experience is necessary. Youth ages 15+ may participate without an adult present. Younger kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Meeting Location: Trailhead near BMX track. Follow the signs! McCormick Park, 475 S. 18th Street, St. Helens.

Accessibility: The worksite isn't far from either parking area and plenty of free parking is available. The work area ranges from flat and grassy to muddy and sloped.

Provided: Small selection of tools.

Please Bring: Your own water, sun/rain gear, gloves, empty jugs for watering plants, and tools (shovel, trowel, pruning shears) as supplies are limited.

Schedule:
9 a.m. - Check in
9:15 a.m. - Introductions & project orientation
9:30 a.m. - Work begins! Removal, weeding, mulching, and watering around new plantings
12 p.m. - End of event

Volunteers can pre-register for the work party at https://arcg.is/veOSC1

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1572701947124119

05/28/2026

Please share our flyer! 🌼

Join us for our upcoming FREE Community SWAP hosted by WildFlower Play Collective, St. Helens Parks and Recreation Program, & Baby Blues Connection. 🤍

We are currently looking for volunteers to help with setup, organizing, and cleanup.

Interested in helping? Text/Call Amanda at 971-704-4424 or message us here.

Food & drinks will be provided for volunteers & volunteers get to shop early Friday night!

These swaps are a lot of work, but they’re also one of our favorite community events. There’s something really special about spending the weekend together laughing, talking, organizing, and working alongside other community members to make something meaningful happen for local families.

05/26/2026

Introducing Play and Learn with St. Helens Recreation! This 6-week program is open to children ages 0-5 years old.

Play and Learn is for youth and parents/carer participation. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child ages birth to 5 years old, join us for this free, weekly, 90-minute program to learn about child development, early reading strategies, and positive discipline. While you play with your children, you’ll get great ideas of things you can do to prepare them for success.

The curriculum for the Play & Learn Groups is aligned with Kaleidoscope curriculum, and you will receive a free book when you attend!

St. Helens Recreation Play and Learn is working with several community partners to continue to strengthen the relationships between children, their families, and caregivers.

Registration is required for the full six-week session, offered on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. starting Thursday, June 25. Register now: https://sthelens.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1202

There are limited spots available, and this series is free thanks to our partnership with the Northwest Parenting Hub.

05/26/2026

We still have space in our upcoming CPR class on Saturday, June 6!

If you're looking for hands-on First Aid training, need certification for work, or just want to be prepared for any situation, register now at bit.ly/shrecprograms!

The American Heart Association’s Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Course is designed for anyone with little or no medical training. If you need a course completion card for your job, regulatory (e.g., OSHA), or other requirements, or if you want to be prepared for an emergency in any setting, this course is for you!

Learn more about the Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Course and register on RecDesk: https://sthelens.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1201

05/25/2026

The St. Helens Recreation Program is closed today in observance of Memorial Day.

St. Helens City offices are closed today in observance of Memorial Day.

"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it." -Thucydides

"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." -Franklin D. Roosevelt

05/17/2026

It's Senior Sunday! We'd love to introduce you to some of the high school seniors who work here at the St. Helens Recreation Program. Each of our student staff members assists with a different part of our afterschool program in addition to other tasks, and brings their unique skills to the program. We are grateful for the hard work that they do for our community, and are proud to offer them an opportunity to develop and hone their professional skills.

Meet Skyler!

⭐ How long have you worked with St. Helens Recreation?
I have worked with Saint Helen’s recreation for about nine months.

⭐ What programs have you helped with?
I have helped with the summer recreation program, the basketball recreation program, and the afterschool program at McBride Elementary.

⭐ What is your favorite part about working with St. Helens Recreation?
My favorite part about working with the Program is seeing all the kids grow and find themselves throughout the year.

⭐ Favorite memory from the program?
A favorite memory I have is from the basketball program. I got to play in one of the parents versus kids basketball games, which was so much fun. At the afterschool program one of my favorite memories was when I played gaga ball with the kids. They seem to really enjoy that, and I had so much fun playing with them.

⭐ Plans after graduation?
After high school, I think I want to pursue either cosmetology or something along the lines of teaching or child psychology.

⭐ Advice for younger students?
I would probably have to say enjoy it while it lasts cause it does go by very quickly. As someone who, when I was a little, didn’t believe that- it is definitely true.

🎉 Fun Fact:
I played soccer and baseball for nine years.

05/16/2026

Looking for hands-on First Aid training? Need certification for work, or just want to be prepared for any situation? Sign up for our CPR class on Saturday, June 6!

The American Heart Association’s Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Course is designed for anyone with little or no medical training. If you need a course completion card for your job, regulatory (e.g., OSHA), or other requirements, or if you want to be prepared for an emergency in any setting, this course is for you!

Learn more about the Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Course and register on RecDesk: https://sthelens.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail?programId=1201

05/15/2026

See you soon!

🎮Tech & Gaming Club👾
Join us this Friday for a space to play, connect, and talk all things tech and gaming! Whether you’re into retro classics, newer games, or just enjoy being around others with similar interests — you’re welcome here.⭐️
🗓 Fridays | 3:30–5 PM
📍 St. Helens Community Center
2625 Gable Rd, St Helens, OR 97051
🎮 Tech Talk 3:30–4 PM
🎮 Gaming 3:30–5 PM
😎This is one group, with tech as an optional starting point for those who want to ease in or chat before gaming. Join in wherever feels right for you!
🔋As this group gets started, it will grow through connection and shared interests. Your voice, ideas, and experiences are an important part of shaping this space.
✨ Bring your own console, controllers, or games if you’d like!
👉 All participants are asked to register through the link so we can plan and support the group.
https://forms.office.com/r/nvFvjhjX8n
💻Come hang out, discover new games, and build something fun together.

05/10/2026

It's Senior Sunday! We'd love to introduce you to some of the high school seniors who work here at the St. Helens Recreation Program. Each of our student staff members assists with a different part of our afterschool program in addition to other tasks, and brings their unique skills to the program. We are grateful for the hard work that they do for our community, and are proud to offer them an opportunity to develop and hone their professional skills.

Meet Yadira!

⭐ How long have you worked with St. Helens Recreation?
I've been working with St. Helens recreation for a year and a half.

⭐ What programs have you helped with?
I have been helping out mostly in the S.H.A.R.P program at Lewis and Clark, but recently started helping in the R.I.S.E program when needed.

⭐ What is your favorite part about working with St. Helens Recreation?
My favorite part about working with St. Helens recreation program is all the new people I get to meet, whether it's the children, their parents, or new staff. I also love the challenge that comes with working with them, such as helping them with classwork, getting the honor of teaching them new things, and helping them with any problems that seem to bother them.

⭐ Favorite memory from the program?
One of my favorite memories from the program was when all the kids and staff had a dance party. A parent came in to pick up their child, but before leaving, he decided to join us and dance along.

⭐ Plans after graduation?
After graduation, I plan to attend Portland Community College and get my degree in Education, which will help me get to Portland State University to get my Master’s in Special Education.

⭐ Advice for younger students?
Advice I have for younger students is to always try your best in school, be the best you can be, not for other people but for yourself.

🎉 Fun Fact:
I've been working with children with disabilities for 3 year at the highschool, I love dancing for fun, and I love teaching people how to make crafts. My favorite snack is cheez-its.