Council approves Parks Levy renewal, sends to voters for August ballot

April 15, 2025

The King County Council on Tuesday approved legislation to send the Parks Levy renewal to voters on the August ballot. The levy provides all funding to operate and maintain King County’s regional and local parks, trails and open space system. The levy, first approved by voters in 2003, has been repeatedly renewed by voters. The proposal received unanimous support from elected representatives countywide serving on the Regional Policy Committee.

The six-year levy provides funding for the following projects, programs and entities:

• King County Parks capital, operations and maintenance
• Regional Trail Expansion, including the Interurban Trail, Eastrail, Green River Trail, Soos Creek Trail, Green Loop Trail, and the Lake to Sound Trail in South King County
• Open Space Land Conservation, in support of the County’s Land Conservation Initiative
• Playgrounds and active use park improvements and expansion
• King County cities, towns, and park districts
• Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium and Pacific Science Center
• Swimming Pools and other Water Access
• Healthy Communities and Parks Grants and Community Partnership Grants
• Ballfield and Sport Court improvements, preservation and grants
• Climate Resilience, Environmental Stewardship, and Fish Passage improvements

Over the life of the six-year levy, it is estimated it would generate $1.4 billion. The initial levy rate of 23.29 cents per $1,000 of assessed value would cost the owner of a median-valued home ($844,000) about $16.33 per month.

Councilmember Rod Dembowski (District 1), who cosponsored the legislation with Council Chair Girmay Zahilay, applauded council approval and the opportunity for voters to weigh in on the measure.

Councilmember Rod Dembowski: “I am grateful for all the elected and community partners from around the region who had a hand in developing this comprehensive proposal. It was a privilege to shepherd the legislation through the Council as we carefully reviewed each element and adjusted the plan to save money, reduce the cost, and make equitable investments countywide. This proposal ensures that our regional parks, trails and open space system is sustained for the next six years. But it goes further. It makes transformative investments in advancing our Land Conservation Initiative to protect the last remaining special 65,000 acres of forests, farms and waterways in our county. It expands access to our lakes, rivers and swimming pools, countywide. It invests in climate response and salmon recovery. And it makes big progress on building out and connecting our regional trail network.

“Starting with the founding of our County Parks system in 1938, and continuing through the transformative 1968 Forward Thrust Parks and Recreation Bond, and the 1979 Farmland and Open Space Preservation Bond, King County has a long tradition of outstanding work in conservation and recreation work. This proposal honors and is a credit to that admired tradition. It’s a tradition that has paid dividends for many generations. I’m hopeful that together we will make the next big investment for generations of King County kids and adults who will swim in our pools, play in our parks, and explore the woodlands and waterways of our incredible county.”

King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda: As Councilmember Mosqueda stated at the council meeting today: “At a time when the federal government is closing parks and shuttering community programs, this proposal expands parks and access to recreation, making investments in trails for walking and biking, community centers, active play for all ages... Being active and outdoors is one of the best ways to support our health, happiness, sense of belonging, and connection to our communities. It also boosts tree canopy [and] supports climate resilience.”

King County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay: “King County’s open spaces and parks are sacred community hubs where all people come to play, relax, and enjoy. From Skyway Park to Montlake, District 2 residents benefit every day from access to green spaces and parks. It is our shared responsibility to protect our parks and open spaces for future generations to continue enjoying them. Voters have the opportunity to preserve and expand our parks and open space.”

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer: “I’ve always believed that sports bring people together, and nowhere is that more true than in the diverse communities of South King County. I am excited that the parks levy will be put before the voters for investments in public recreation and places where  families can come together, friendships can be built, lessons can be learned, and communities can grow.”

King County Councilmember Jorge Barón: As Councilmember Baron stated at the council meeting today: “The proposed Parks Levy includes a wide range of investments that will be used to maintain and enhance parks and open spaces throughout our county, improve the regional trail network, and provide environmental restoration. The Parks Levy proposal is especially focused on youth: investing in outdoor education at the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Aquarium, and Pacific Science Center, supporting improvements at ballfields and sports courts, and increasing investment in programs like the Youth and Amateur Sports grants. It also makes new investments in Seattle’s Waterfront Park and Memorial Stadium. I appreciate the hard work of my colleagues, especially Budget Chair Dembowski and RPC Chair von Reichbauer, on this proposal for consideration by voters.”

King County Councilmember De’Sean Quinn: “King County’s Parks system provides healthy places for kids to build character by learning teamwork, partnerships, and communication as well as engaging with the natural environment.   We were pleased to work with city leadership, parks directors, coaches, trail advocates and parks users to review this proposal for voters.”

Additional quotes:

Susan Pappalardo, co-founder and president, SPLASHForward: “The Aquatic Facilities Grant program funded by the current levy has improved existing public pools in the county. With voter’s approval of this new Parks Levy proposal, the Aquatic Facilities Grant program will be expanded to support the growing number of new public pools taking shape in the county.

Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus: “If approved by the voters, the proposal would fund regional parks, recreation, and open space”

Kenmore Mayor Nigel Herbig: “This Parks levy proposal would make investments across the county. It will be up to or region’s voters.”

Scott Morris, president, Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance: "Our community has been working for a decade to create a woodland trail, the Finn Hill Green Loop, that connects city, county and state parks in Kirkland with trails and parks in neighboring communities. The new park levy would provide the funding this project needs before our remaining urban green space is lost forever."