Furry friend Parker to promote parks programs

Say anything you want to Parker the squirrel, stamp your feet, fire jokes at him, he won’t squeak a word in reply.

Don’t cry for Parker, though, this furry fellow knows how to communicate just find using high-fives, waving his arm, giving the occasional thumbs-up.

Hey, wait, squirrels can’t high-five.

Well, this one can. And that’s not all that’s goofy about him.

“He varies from 5-foot-6 to 6-foot-2 inches, give or take a few inches,” said Daryl Faber, director of the Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department. “Your shorter Parkers tend to bulge a bit around the middle. But he can sort of roll up his legs.”

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Just don’t look for this gigantic, belly-pooching, high-fivin’ rodent to collect nuts for the winter or beg for treats. As the newly-minted mascot of the Parks, Arts and Rec, Parker is all about promoting the plethora of parks programs for kids.

That’s right, where Tukwila has its Awesome Possum and Mercer Island its bipedal frog, Leap, Auburn has gotten itself a big ol’ squirrel.

“We were looking for something to promote our parks programs, hence the name Parker,” explained Julie Brewer, recreation special programs-marketing manager. “We had a couple of options, but we have so many squirrels that play around Les Gove Park where the parks administration building is that it really made good sense to have a squirrel.

“Kids really enjoy mascots, they’re entertaining, so we thought, why not bring one on board that kids can associate with the department?” Brewer said.

Mayor Pete Lewis and members of the Auburn City Council first met him Dec. 1 but he made his highly public debut Dec. 5 at the Santa Parade along Main Street and was well received.

“The kids really loved Parker,” Brewer said.

Parker also has been featured in the winter Parks, Arts and Recreation Guide.

Brewer said one little girl was so enthralled with Parker when she saw him out and about that she ran home to fetch him a nut. Skateboarders in the park stopped and wanted to shake his hand.

“We’ll use him to promote our department, especially at events like Pet Palooza in May, KidsDay in June, Fourth of July,” Brewer said. “He’ll probably make appearances at the Summer Sounds and Cinema concert, the Kids Summer Stage. Anywhere where you have a gathering of kids, Parker will show up. It will give kids something else fun to do.”

Parker, who has been known to hang out with imaginary chums, Artie and Rex, named for the arts and recreation component.

Brewer said the city purchased the tan suit.

Parks staff take turns playing Parker, and the stuffy suit features an internal vest with ice packs.

“Parker doesn’t talk, but he will always be accompanied by another Parks, Arts and Recreation staff person or volunteer that will help interact with kids and make him easier to understand,” Brewer said.

Faber said Parker has been known to stroll over to the nearby Auburn Senior Activity Center and play a game of pool with seniors. But this guy is no Minnesota Fats.

“No, not a very good pool player,” Faber said.

MORE ABOUT PARKER

Some factoids about the friendly squirrel, the new mascot for the Arts, Parks and Recreation Department:

• Joined the team last fall after completing his bachelor’s degree in seed and kernel studies at Washington’s School of Nuts.