King County youth sports grants improve access to programs and facilities, building stronger, healthier communities

August 9, 2021

Summary

King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced more than $2.38 million in funding for youth and amateur sports programs that will increase access for much-needed recreational opportunities across the county – with particular emphasis on enhancing programs for underserved groups and communities.

Story

From funding a renovated field in Covington to a program where low-income youth in south Seattle can earn a bike by learning to repair bikes for other teens facing financial challenges, King County’s Youth and Amateur Sports Grants are creating more opportunities for more young people and amateur athletes to learn, play, and participate – no matter where they live.

“Partnering with remarkable organizations in communities large and small, we are building stronger programs so that youth and amateur athletes from across the county to take part in healthy activities that help promote physical and emotional wellbeing,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine in announcing $2.38 million in grant funding to 40 recipients.
 
The awards, which range up to $250,000, support programs and capital projects that ensure priority youth in King County have access to opportunities for physical activity and sports through programs, facilities, and parks. 

The list of recipients in 2021 include: 

- Seattle Adaptive Sports, to collaborate with Seattle Parks & Recreation in securing reliable, accessible practice spaces allowing access to sports for marginalized youth with disabilities. Grant funding will also be used as scholarship funding to reduce financial barriers for youth to participate in these activities, and to expand Paralympic Day outreach – particularly to BIPOC and immigrant youth with disabilities who have decreased awareness and access to adaptive sport and fitness. 

- City of Covington Parks and Recreation Department, to make much-needed repairs to the city’s premiere sports field. Covington Community Park is the city’s premiere park and features the community’s only multi-purpose sports field. The field renovation will result in more year-round play without field hazards. 

- Bike Works of Seattle, for their innovative mentoring and skills-building programs, including “Earn-a-Bike” where youth earn community service hours by repairing a bike that will be given away to youth with financial needs, then repairing a second bike for them to keep. Bike Works prepares youth for future employment, are compensated for their time, and participants can be eligible for paid apprenticeships upon completion.

The full list of grant awardees can be found on the King County Youth and Amateur Sports Grants website.

King County Parks administers the program and offers new grants each year. The next round of grants is expected to open January 2022.

The program is funded and sustained through a 1 percent car-rental tax authorized by the Legislature in 1993. Funds can only be used for programs or capital projects that increase access to health-enhancing physical activities.


QUOTES

Partnering with remarkable community organizations in communities large and small, we are building stronger programs for youth and amateur athletes across the county to take part in healthy activities that help promote physical and emotional wellbeing.

RELEVANT LINKS
• King County Youth and Amateur Sports Grants
• King County Parks

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Doug Williams, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, 206-477-4543

About King County Parks
King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers 205 parks and 32,000 acres of open space, including popular destinations such as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, plus 175 miles of regional trails, 250 miles of backcountry trails, and a world-class aquatic center. We envision parks, trails, and natural lands for all, sustained with the cooperative efforts of our community.