Parks Grants
The voter-approved 2020-2025 Parks, Recreation, Trails and Open Space Levy allocates approximately $110 million over six years for grants for parks, recreation, and open space throughout King County through four program areas.
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2021-22 Grant Program Funding
- Parks Capital and Open Space $8.3 million
- Aquatic Facilities $13 million
- Targeted Equity $3.8 million
- Open Space River Corridors $5 million
Announcing new grant awards for the Parks Capital and Open Space, and Aquatic Facilities program. Click on the individual program to view grant award list.
Grant Programs
Parks Capital and Open Space Grants
Funds a broad range of park initiatives, including land acquisition, park planning, and development of passive and active parks (including indoor and outdoor recreation facilities) and local trails. Program goals include protecting lands for public space that would otherwise be lost to future development and expanding recreation facilities to meet the needs of the region's growing population.
Eligible Organizations:
- Cities and towns in King County
- Metropolitan Park Districts geographically located in King County
Preview application:
Parks Capital Open Space
Learn more:
Parks Capital and Open Space Grant Summary
Parks Capital and Open Space Grant FAQs
Parks Capital and Open Space Grant Council Adopted Guidelines
Contact: Butch Lovelace
2022 Grantees
| Organization |
Project Name |
Project Summary | Grant Award |
| City of Auburn Parks and Recreation | Cedar Lanes Park Amenities | Add new restrooms, expand parking, storage, and pedestrian paths to Cedar Lanes Bike Park project that is in design. | $234,925 |
| City of Burien | Burien Community Center HVAC Replacement Project | Replace the original 1970 Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system in the Burien Community Center (BCC) to allow for continued use as a community center and emergency shelter. | $500,000 |
| City of Covington | Jenkins Creek Park, Parking, Access, and Restoration | Provide the park with a main entrance, dedicated parking, stream/wetland restoration and other improvements to increase access, safety, and environmental stewardship. | $500,000 |
| City of Duvall | Big Rock Ball Fields. Phase II Design | Passive and active reactional components, including fields for our youth/adult leagues and beautiful trails and open spaces. | $100,000 |
| City of Kent | Salt Air Vista Park Renovation | Update this neighborhood park with an all-new playground, new swings, and improved neighborhood connections. | $338,000 |
| City of Kent | Morrill Meadows Park Renovation | Renovate the park’s playground, grass lawn, trails, and plaza space. | $500,000 |
| City of Kent | Regional Trails Enhancements | Replace and improve informational and wayfinding signage on Kent Regional Trails, including the Green River Trail and Interurban Trail. | $206,437 |
| City of Kirkland | Big Finn Hill Park Acquisition | Acquire a 4.76-acre parcel adjacent to Big Finn Hill Park that will conserve natural conditions near Denny Creek, extend passive recreational opportunities, and prevent development. | $500,000 |
| City of Mercer Island | Luther Burbank Park Pickleball Sport Courts | A fifty-year-old sports court will be renovated and reprogrammed to include dedicated tennis and pickleball courts. | $193,000 |
| City of Newcastle | CrossTown Trail at Lake Boren | Build a 0.15-mile trail to complete the missing links in two trails within Lake Boren Park. The trail will provide new connections and offer birdwatching, fishing, and picnicking. | $500,000 |
| City of North Bend | Meadowbrook Prairie Loop Trail | New bicycle and pedestrian trail connecting through Meadowbrook Farm to Snoqualmie Middle School, Centennial Fields Park, and the Meadowbrook Farm Interpretive Center, with interpretive signage and wetland restoration. | $500,000 |
| City of Redmond | Senior & Community Center | Construct a facility to serve the entire community with multigenerational active recreational, arts, events, and gathering areas for year-round opportunities. | $500,000 |
| City of Renton | Coulon Park Picnic Floats and ADA Access | Replace and enhance two existing picnic floats, ramps, and amenities as part of the Coulon North Water Walk Renovation, providing new ADA access for these unique floating gathering spaces. | $481,050 |
| City of Shoreline | Rotary Park Access | The acquisition of this parcel would expand upon and leverage the passive recreational use envisioned by the City of Shoreline on property owned by Seattle City Light. | $500,000 |
| City of Tukwila | Tukwila Teen & Senior Center Study | Serve the needs of teens and seniors in Tukwila through a community-centered process to include passive and active recreational gathering spaces and gardens. | $100,000 |
| Fall City Metropolitan Park District | West Side Trail (Phase 1) | A shared-use paved trail that enhances public safety for all users, and creates a more walkable community by linking schools and residential areas to downtown Fall City. | $500,000 |
| Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation | South Park Community Center Site Renovation | Includes the installation of a new spray park, play areas, dog off-leash area, sports field, fitness zone, loop trail, basketball court, lighting, and ADA access improvements. | $500,000 |
| Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation | Colonnade MTB Park Upgrade | The Seattle Parks and Recreation Colonnade Mountain Bike (MTB) Park will upgrade a new pump track, jump lines, beginner trails, and features to create a more youth and family-friendly playscape. | $120,000 |
| Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation | North Rainier Landbank Park | This new one-acre park features picnicking, a fitness zone, half-court basketball, and a play area. It prioritizes pedestrian safety/accessibility and addresses stormwater improvements, including 40 new trees. | $500,000 |
| Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation | Eli’s Park Project | Initiated and designed by the community, this project will renovate Burke Gilman Playground Park into a regional destination that is fully accessible to people of all abilities. | $500,000 |
| Si View Metropolitan Park District | North Bend Connector Trail | Construct a 5.65-mile multi-use trail linking Tennant Trailhead Park and Raging River State Forest Trail System, from North Bend to Snoqualmie Point Park. | $499,999 |
| Si View Metropolitan Park District | Edgewick Connector Trail | Construct a non-motorized 0.3-mile gravel trail connecting the Edgewick neighborhood near North Bend to the regional Snoqualmie Valley Trail near Rattlesnake Lake. | $43,037 |
Aquatic Facilities Grants
Funds capital projects for new or existing aquatic facilities, including acquisition, planning, construction of new facilities, or renovation or expansion of existing facilities. Program goals include conserving and expanding access to aquatic facilities in King County.
Eligible Organizations:
- Cities and towns in King County
- Metropolitan Park Districts geographically located in King County
- School Districts
- Other public entities that own public aquatic facilities
Preview application:
2021 Aquatic Center Grant
Learn more:
Aquatics Facilities Grant Summary
Aquatics Facilities Grant FAQs
Aquatics Facilities Grant Council Adopted Guidelines
Contact: Butch Lovelace
2022 Grantees
| Organization |
Project Name |
Project Summary | Grant Award |
| City of Bellevue Parks | Bellevue Aquatic Center Feasibility Study | A new state-of-the-art aquatic center will add to the success of the existing Bellevue Park System, further the quality of life for all residents, and attract new people and businesses to the City. | $100,000 |
| City of Covington | Covington/Maple Valley Aquatic Center Plan | Advance the design of a new aquatic and recreation center to replace the existing Covington Aquatic Center and address area-wide recreational needs. | $100,000 |
| City of Enumclaw | Pool Improvements and Expansion | Renovation of lobby/offices, ADA upgrades to locker rooms, convert public restrooms to family changing rooms, add meeting/party room rental space, and update the exterior front of the pool building. | $1,207,194 |
| City of Federal Way | Federal Way Pool Slide and Play Element Project | Replace the 20-foot fiberglass slide and aging play structure at the Federal Way Community Center and repair the concrete circular stairs and support columns on the waterslide. | $250,000 |
| City of Issaquah Recreation and Community Services | Issaquah Aquatic Center Study | Conduct a feasibility study on adding pool space for the City of Issaquah. | $80,000 |
| City of Kenmore | Kenmore/Kirkland Aquatic Center Study | Kenmore and Kirkland are partnering to find an appropriate site for a community aquatic center. This will provide residents with public, year-round, and indoor aquatic access. | $100,000 |
| City of Kenmore | North King County Aquatic Center Study | Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline are partnering to find a site and determine appropriate features for a community aquatic center to provide residents public indoor aquatic access year-round. | $100,000 |
| City of Renton | Henry Moses Aquatic Center Study | Planning/feasibility study on how to best enhance, stabilize, and expand Henry Moses Aquatic Center to improve access and user value for a popular aquatics facility serving King County residents. | $100,000 |
| Des Moines Pool Metropolitan Park District | MRP Aquatic Feasibility Study | A comprehensive site assessment and aquatic feasibility study for Mount Rainier Pool to determine future usage, updates to current ADA standards, and potentially be more inclusive. | $100,000 |
| Highline Public Schools | Evergreen Pool Gutter Repair |
Redesign/repair a cracked gutter system at the Evergreen Pool, which is losing approximately 100,000 gallons water every month. | $100,000 |
| Lake Washington School District | Juanita Aquatics Renovations | Provide critical updates by upgrading outdated HVAC and pool equipment, providing much-needed ADA upgrades, and securing the building envelope. | $1,800,000 |
| Mercer Island School District #400 | Mary Wayte Pool | Planning and design study for a $4 million renovation work project. MISD took ownership of the pool in 2011 and has an ongoing partnership with the City of Mercer Island. | $97,141 |
| Renton School District | Hazen HS Modernize Pool | Repair and correct issues with the pool vessel, update natatorium finishes, and modernize chemical and mechanical systems, locker rooms, and staff spaces. | $2,744,278 |
| Seattle Parks and Recreation | Colman Pool Renovation | Update operation-critical equipment, improve the user experience, and expand the types of users who can enjoy this facility. | $1,800,000 |
| Seattle Parks and Recreation | Medgar Evers Pool Design | This pre-design work will include a concrete service-life evaluation and options analysis for restoration of the existing structure, and development of a basis of design for electrification of the facility. | $90,000 |
| Si View Metropolitan Park District | Si View Aquatic Center | Construction of a new public indoor aquatic center designed to support a diverse range of programming for all ages and abilities in Snoqualmie Valley. | $4,000,000 |
| Tukwila Pool Metropolitan Park District | TPMPD Feasibility Study | A study to establish a path forward for enabling and enhancing high-quality aquatics programming through remodeling or building new infrastructure. | $100,000 |
| Vashon-Maury Island Park and Recreation District | Vashon Pool Upgrades | Replace the facility’s failing winter dome, slide, hot water heaters, boiler burner, solar energy system, and thermal cover. | $100,000 |
Healthy Communities and Parks Fund
Funds projects and programs that provide new, increased, or enhanced access to recreation, parks, and open space in underserved communities, including investing in capacity-building for community groups. Program goals include reducing disparities and improving the health and well-being of King County residents in marginalized communities by increasing access to recreation, parks, and open space.
Eligible Organizations:
- Tribal organizations serving residents of King County
- Non-profit organizations
- Fiscally sponsored community groups
- Cities and towns in King County
- King County agencies (limited to projects in or serving unincorporated areas)
*We don’t require tribal organizations applying to be federally recognized.
Learn more:
Healthy Communities & Parks Fund - Program Summary
Healthy Communities & Parks Fund - Frequently Asked Questions
Healthy Communities & Parks Fund - Tier 1 Guidelines
Healthy Communities & Parks Fund - Tier 2 Guidelines
Healthy Communities & Parks Fund - Council Adopted Guidelines
Access the Application Portal
- Application Preview – Tier 1
- Application Preview – Tier 2
- Project/Program Budget Template
- Organizational Diversity Chart Template
Free Grantwriting Support for Small Organizations | Sign Up Here
Attend a Virtual Information Session
- Tues, Dec 7, 2021 @ 4 - 5 p.m. | Register Here
- Thurs, Dec 16, 2021 @ Noon - 1 p.m. | Register Here
- Tues, Jan 4, 2022 @ 5 - 6 p.m. | Register Here
A recording of the first info session will be posted here.
Virtual Office Hours - weekly on Wednesdays starting Dec. 8th.
Contact: Grace Chai for link to the Virtual Office Hours, or with questions about the program.
Click here to subscribe to the grants e-newsletter.
Open Space - River Corridors Grants
Funds projects that restore river habitat, reduce risks from flooding, and enhance recreation opportunities. Program goal includes enhancing river corridors in King County for their ecological and recreation benefits.
Eligible Organizations:- Non-profit organizations
- Tribal organizations serving residents of King County
- Cities and towns in King County
- King County
- Port districts
- Flood control districts
- Diking and drainage districts
- Conservation districts
- Salmon recovery forums
Learn more:
Open Space - River Corridors Grant Summary
Open Space - River Corridors Grant FAQs
Open Space - River Corridors Grant Council Adopted Guidelines
Application: Open Space River Corridors grant application
Preview application:
Open Space River Corridors grant application (pdf)
Contact: Kelly Heintz