City of Renton Contact
Laura Pettitt, Communications Director
Carrie Nass, Recreation Director
City of Renton Polar Bear Plunge New Location
The city’s annual Polar Bear Plunge is moving from Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park to Henry Moses Aquatic Center
RENTON, WA (December 28, 2023) – The City of Renton’s annual New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge, usually held at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, will be held this year at Henry Moses Aquatic Center, located at 1719 Maple Valley Hwy, Renton.
The location change is to avoid the recent presence of potentially toxic algae blooms in Lake Washington. Public health officials have measured higher-than-normal levels of this algae over the past few weeks. While the 12/26/2023 water quality testing from Public Health Seattle and King County did not show significant levels of algae blooms at Gene Coulon Beach, this could change in the days leading up to the event, depending on the weather.
We look forward to ringing in the New Year with the community on Monday, January 1, for those up for a cool plunge at Henry Moses Aquatic Center. The event starts promptly at 10 a.m. Register for a chance to win raffle prizes at rentonwa.gov/register #17060. This is a free event. Ivar’s clam chowder and warm beverages will be available to participants and spectators.
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About City of Renton
The City of Renton, Washington, with a population of 107,900 (2023), is located on the southeast shore of Lake Washington, just south of Seattle. Renton's strong economic base, diverse marketplace, and favorable business climate have attracted nationally recognized companies wishing to provide employees and their families with an outstanding quality of life. Renton is the home of Boeing, PACCAR, IKEA, Super Bowl Champion (2014) Seattle Seahawks, two-time (2016 & 2019) MLS champion and CONCACAF Champion (2022) Seattle Sounders FC (in 2024), and the eternal resting place of rock icon Jimi Hendrix. You can find more information on our website, news releases, Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor pages.
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