Welcome to the weekly roundup for Maple Valley, WA. With crisp mornings, early sunsets, and plenty of cabin fever to shake off, this mid-January stretch offers a friendly mix of outdoor refreshers, indoor meetups, youth activities, and ways to pitch in. Here is what is happening now, plus a few dates to circle later in the month.
This Week at a Glance - Jan 11 to Jan 17
- Sun Jan 11, 9:00 am - Winter Bird Walk at Lake Wilderness Arboretum. Bundle up, bring binoculars, and look for ducks, finches, and raptors along the paths. Family friendly.
- Sun Jan 11, 1:00 pm - Open Gym Family Play at the Community Center. Mats, basketballs, and toddler stations. Clean indoor shoes requested.
- Mon Jan 12, 6:30 pm - Community Fitness Circuit at the Community Center. Instructor-led, low impact options available. Ages 14 and up.
- Tue Jan 13, 7:00 pm - City Council meeting at City Hall. Public comment period near the top of the agenda. Arrive early if you plan to speak.
- Wed Jan 14, 10:30 am - Preschool Story Time at the Library. Songs, rhymes, and a simple craft. Caregivers stay with children.
- Wed Jan 14, 3:00 pm - Teen Study Hall and Board Games at the Library. Quiet tables plus a game corner for breaks.
- Thu Jan 15, 6:00 pm - Winter Wellness Yoga at the Community Center. Bring a mat and water. Gentle flow focused on mobility and breath.
- Fri Jan 16, 9:00 am - Community Blood Drive at the Community Center. Walk-ins as space allows; ID required.
- Fri Jan 16, 7:00 pm - Teen Night at the Community Center. Music, court games, and supervised hangout spaces. Grades 7-12.
- Sat Jan 17, 9:00 am - Lake Wilderness Trail Work Party. Gloves and tools provided. Wear weatherproof layers and sturdy shoes.
- Sat Jan 17, 10:00 am - Winter Makers and Farmers Market at Lake Wilderness Lodge hall. Seasonal produce, baked goods, and local crafts.
- Sat Jan 17, 2:00 pm - Family Movie Matinee at the Library. PG feature with subtitles on. Snacks allowed in closed containers.
Good To Know This Week
Trail conditions are muddy in places after recent showers. Expect slick wooden bridges and puddles. Dogs must remain leashed on park paths. Parking near Lake Wilderness can fill on Saturday mornings; allow extra time or consider carpooling. If you are heading to indoor programs, bring a dry pair of shoes to help keep floors clean. The Community Center front desk can help with scholarship questions for fitness classes. For public meetings, printed agendas are typically available in the lobby, and comment cards are near the entrance.
Family and Youth Corner
Winter is prime time for indoor energy burn. Open Gym Family Play Sunday afternoon is set up for mixed ages and is especially good for younger kids. The library has a cozy reading corner after Story Time on Wednesday, and the Friday Teen Night offers supervised fun with staff on hand. Youth basketball leagues are underway on Saturday mornings at area gyms, so expect heavier traffic around the Community Center during early hours.
Outdoors and Wellness
Sunday's bird walk is a calm way to ease into the week, and the Thursday yoga session helps reset tight shoulders and hips. Saturday's trail work party is a tangible way to support parks you love. Volunteers often split into groups for pruning, litter pickup, and drainage clearing, so there is a job for every comfort level.
On the Horizon - Later This Month
Mon Jan 19 - MLK Day of Service. Neighborhood cleanups and donation drives will run at several sites. Join a project team or organize your own with friends. Sat Jan 24 - Cultural Arts Night at the Community Center, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Performances, hands-on art tables, and a community gallery. Sun Jan 25 - Garden Club Seed Swap at the Arboretum classroom, 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Bring labeled packets and take what you will plant. Thu Jan 29 - Parent and Caregiver Education Night on digital wellness at the Community Center, 6:30 pm. Sat Jan 31 - Frost Fest 5K and Fun Run around Lake Wilderness, morning start times with hot cocoa at the finish.
Final Notes
Event details can shift with weather or staffing. If you are unsure about a start time or need accommodations, contact the host venue before you go. Have a great week, Maple Valley.
