Summary

The King County Council unanimously approved Executive Dow Constantine's plan to allocate more than $21 million in grant funding for 40 community-led projects that will connect trails, build parks, expand aquatic facilities, and renovate community centers. The funds are generated by the voter-approved King County Parks Levy.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine today thanked the King County Council for unanimously approving his plan to allocate more than $21 million in grant funding for 40 community-led projects that will expand and connect trails, refurbish and build new aquatic facilities, protect open space, develop new parks, and renovate centers for teenagers and seniors.

The funding is generated by the King County Parks Levy, which voters approved in 2019.

"The people of King County sent a clear message when they overwhelmingly approved the Parks Levy. They want us to connect trails, build parks, revitalize pools, and protect wilderness – and that’s exactly what we are doing, building a greener King County and preserving the things that make this community special," said Executive Constantine. "The grants we are awarding today will power community-led projects that expand access to recreation, green space, and activities in every corner of the region."

Examples of projects that received grant funding include:

• Constructing a 5.6-mile-long multi-use trail from North Bend to Snoqualmie Point Park, linking Tennant Trailhead Park and the Raging River State Forest trail system.
• Replacing the failing winter dome, slide, water heaters, thermal cover, and more at the Vashon Community Pool.
• Building a main entrance, undertaking stream and wetland restoration, and making other improvements to increase access, safety, and the environmental quality of Jenkins Creek Park in Covington.
• A design to develop a teen and senior center, incorporating multigenerational community engagement efforts on creating passive and active recreation, gathering spaces and gardens in Tukwila.

The voter-approved 2020-2025 Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy will generate about $110 million over six years for grants for parks, recreation, and open space throughout King County through four program areas, with 2021-22 grant funding:

The King County Parks Capital and Open Space, and Aquatic Facilities Grant Programs Advisory Committees assisted in the development of the applications, participated in the review process, and recommended the funding for the 22 applications for the parks capital and open space program and 18 applications for the aquatic facilities.

“In my 20 years as director of the City of Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation, I have seen how grants have positively impacted our community,” said Daryl Faber, Auburn Parks and Recreation Director and an advisory committee member. “The King County Parks Grants program is often leveraged with local and state dollars allowing good projects to become great, and these funds are a key cog in improving community health as well as meeting the needs of the region's growing population.”

“The Aquatics Facilities Grant program is having the desired effect to create momentum for the first time in 50 years to see a countywide expansion and enhancement of our aquatic facilities,” said Susan Pappalardo, co-founder and president of the advocacy group SPLASHForward and an advisory committee member. “This investment in social infrastructure, which aquatic facilities are, will have a direct impact on the health, wellness, and safety of people within our communities with ripple effects that extend to future generations."

Proposals were considered within the framework of meeting countywide initiatives that help ensure access to greenspace, prepare for climate change, promote healthy forests and greenspace, and ensure equity and social justice goals were used to inform decisions.

For example, a grant of more than $480,000 was awarded to the City of Renton to enhance amenities at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park, including a project providing new waterfront access that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The City of Enumclaw received more than $1.2 million for ADA upgrades to the city’s aquatic center to improve access to more community members.

Community partners interested in applying for 2023 King County Parks Grants are encouraged to join the mailing list.

Relevant links

• King County Parks Levy Grants
• King County Parks Levy

Quotes

The people of King County sent a clear message when they overwhelmingly approved the Parks Levy. They want us to connect trails, build parks, revitalize pools, and protect wilderness – and that’s exactly what we are doing, building a greener King County and preserving the things that make this community special. The grants we are awarding today will power community-led projects that expand access to recreation, green space, and activities in every corner of the region.

Our Parks levy shows our commitment to creating a liveable, sustainable, joyful community with opportunities for everyone to be active and enjoy nature. These grants deliver on that commitment in real, tangible ways, like supporting a rebuilt senior and community center in Redmond, preserving open space in Kirkland, creating active recreational opportunities in Mercer Island and helping Bellevue plan for its dream of a competitive pool. I am so excited to see these investments result in a better quality of life for all King County residents.

I was proud to author the 'penny for pools' amendment in the King County Parks Levy. It is very exciting to see that amendment come to life with these historic investments in swimming pools countywide.

I am thrilled to see the funding approved for each of these great projects so that we can help to ensure that our open spaces are preserved, our communities are better connected via trails, and all residents have the benefit of enjoying community pools! As residents of King County let’s continue to work together now, and into the future, to identify and bring forward potential projects for consideration for the benefit of each and all of our communities.

All residents of King County should have access to outdoor spaces to swim, play, enjoy nature, and relax, but we know that residents in South King County don’t always have access to such spaces. With this County funding, residents will soon be able to see improvements throughout our many park systems and I’m proud that King County could partner in that.

I am pleased that as part of this package, $250,000 has been designated for the installation of a new waterslide and play structure at the Federal Way Community Center. This investment will help the Community Center maintain its reputation of one the Puget Sound’s premier recreational destinations and continue to provide a much needed space for our families to enjoy year-round fun in the water, rain or shine.

I am glad to see Parks Levy dollars being put back into projects that will improve parks and access to recreation across District 9 communities, especially as our region continues to grow and develop.

In my 20 years as director of the City of Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation, I have seen how grants have positively impacted our community. The King County Parks Grants program is often leveraged with local and state dollars allowing good projects to become great, and these funds are a key cog in improving community health as well as meeting the needs of the region's growing population.

The Aquatics Facilities Grant program is having the desired effect to create momentum for the first time in 50 years to see a countywide expansion and enhancement of our aquatic facilities. This investment in social infrastructure, which aquatic facilities are, will have a direct impact on the health, wellness, and safety of people within our communities with ripple effects that extend to future generations.

For more information, contact:

Doug Williams, Department of Natural Resources and Parks, 206-477-4543