Summer is just about here and that means it is time again for neighborhood picnics!

Things get started early this year with the folks in South Renton, who kick things off Wednesday, June 12, at Burnett Linear Park, 502 Burnett Ave. S.

Next up will be the Snake Hill Neighborhood Association “kick-off” picnic June 20 at the the Springbrook Church of Christ, 10421 S.E. 192nd St.

Things really get rolling in July, however, with five picnics scheduled.

On July 10, the Cedar River Neighborhood Associations (including Maplewood, Maplewood Glen, Pioneer Place, Summerfield and Wonderland Estates) host their annual picnic at Maplewood Park 3400 S.E. Sixth St. This year’s service project will be a food drive for people and pet foods during the picnic, with the donations, including excess produce from local gardens, going to the Salvation Army Rotary Food Bank.

The following day., July 11, the VerCello Homeowners Association is hosting their picnic at their HOA area on Ilwaco Place Northeast between Northeast Seventh Place and Northeast Seventh Court. This year’s service project for VerCello is a food drive during the picnic with donations going to the Salvation Army Rotary Food Bank.

Maplewood Estates will host their annual event July 17 at their neighborhood park at Orcas and Southeast Second. They will also host a food drive with donations going to the Salvation Army Rotary Food Bank.

The Lacrosee Homeowners Association will follow on July 18 at the corner of 35th and Monterey Court Northeast with a raffle and food drive with donations, including excess produce from local gardens, going to the Salvation Army Rotary Food Bank.

Finally, the Tiffany Park Neighborhood will close out the July events on July 31 at Tiffany Park, 1902 Lake Youngs Way Southeast. They will also host a food drive.

In August, the North Renton, Sunset, Cascade, South Union, Victoria Park, Evendell, Liberty Ridge and Rolling Hills & Steeple Chase Hills associations will host their picnics.

Also in August is National Night Out, scheduled for Aug. 6 at Philip Arnold Park.

The season will come to a close in September with the Kennydale and Earligton Hill picnics.

The City grants funds for picnic expenses based on matching in-kind contributions from the neighborhoods. It also helps coordinate the event by providing Neighborhood Program staff, the Picnic Trailer, food and supplies, such as a barbeque, plastic ware, hot dogs, tables, paper goods, lemonade, chairs and condiments.

The city also provides liaison support as a resource when planning a picnic

and the use of City picnic game kit, which includes:

• Buddy Walkers (New!);

• Tug-of-War;

• 24-inch porthole parachute;

• bean bag toss game;

• children’s golf game;

• children’s hurdles;

• hula hoops;

• sack race hoppers; and

• a volleyball system.

For more information visit www.rentonwa.gov and click the “neighborhoods” link.