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Evergreen Today
By the People, for the People
Evergreen Lake Plunge Adapts to Warmer Winter Conditions
Annual fundraiser for kids with disabilities proceeds with a "run and jump" instead of traditional ice plunge.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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Due to warmer than average temperatures this winter, the annual Evergreen Lake Plunge event had to be postponed from New Year's Day and adapted to a "run and jump" format instead of the traditional ice plunge. The event, which raises money for the INSPIRE program that provides outdoor adventures for kids with disabilities, still drew around 100 participants in costume who braved the chilly waters, though attendance was lower than in previous years with the ice conditions.
Why it matters
The Evergreen Lake Plunge is an important annual fundraiser that supports programming for kids with disabilities in the local community. While the warm weather prevented the traditional ice plunge, the organizers found a way to still host the event and provide the kids with the outdoor adventures they look forward to.
The details
With the lake not frozen enough to support the usual ice plunge, the event organizers from Active4All had to pivot to a "run and jump" format where participants jumped into the lake instead of plunging through a hole in the ice. Around 100 people registered, down from previous years, but many still showed up in silly costumes to brave the chilly waters and support the INSPIRE program that takes the kids on outdoor adventures throughout the year.
- The Evergreen Lake Plunge is typically held on New Year's Day.
- This year, the event was postponed to March 2, 2026 due to the lack of ice on the lake.
The players
Active4All
The charitable partner of Evergreen Parks and Recreation that organizes the Evergreen Lake Plunge and runs the INSPIRE program for kids with disabilities.
Lindsay Frost
The secretary of Active4All whose son participates in the INSPIRE program.
What they’re saying
“We are doing the lake plunge which was postponed from New Year's Day. Because of the weather this year and the ice not being what we needed it to be, so now we're doing a run and jump sort of situation instead of the actual ice plunge.”
— Lindsay Frost, Active4All Secretary (9news.com)
“It means a lot that they can get Cameron and his friends out there, doing these different things, because it's not always feasible for the parents to do day after day after day of all these great activities.”
— Lindsay Frost, Active4All Secretary (9news.com)
What’s next
The Evergreen Parks and Recreation department and Active4All will continue to host the Evergreen Lake Plunge annually, with plans to return to the traditional ice plunge format if winter conditions allow in the future.
The takeaway
Despite the challenges posed by the warmer than average winter, the Evergreen community came together to ensure the annual Lake Plunge fundraiser could still take place, demonstrating the importance of providing outdoor adventures and inclusive programming for kids with disabilities.
