Four years into our current levy, Parks’ focus on increasing recreational opportunities and making Parks and trails more accessible to all King County residents is reflected in our recent grant-funded projects.

Levy Grants in Action

Parks Levy Grants are awarded to cities, agencies, nonprofits, and others who are doing meaningful work for the benefit of their communities. This work varies widely: It can include vital repairs at a beloved community pool, outdoor education programs for youth of color, or adaptive adventures for people with disabilities. And did we mention the renovated parks and ball fields, new accessible trails, after-school programs, and restored river habitats are also funded by the Parks Levy Grants?

Swimmers at Evergreen Pool, students from the Muslim American Youth Foundation, and adventurers from Needs of the Community Society

New Recreational Opportunities

Whether you prefer sliding, scoring, or scouting, the Parks Levy invests in new and improved recreation opportunities around the corner and along the trail.

New equipment at Marymoor Parks’ north playground, Skyway Park’s new ball court, and a new bridge at Cougar Mountain.

Are We In Your Town?

From Algona to Woodinville and beyond, the levy has funded new projects and recreational opportunities ranging from playground and ballfield improvements to major swimming pool repairs and upgrades.

A kid’s eye view of The City of Kent’s playground at Salt Air Vista Park and the popular Enumclaw Pool.

Did You Know?

Proceeds from the levy also directly support conservation efforts at the Woodland Park Zoo and the construction of a new structure at the Seattle Aquarium, which has been designed to showcase sharks, stingrays and fish from the South Pacific’s Coral Triangle area in a 325,000-gallon tank.

The levy supports environmental education, conservation of threatened species, and climate change strategies at Woodland Park Zoo, plus Seattle Aquarium’s Ocean Pavilion project. 

In August 2019, more than 70% of King County voters approved a 6-year, $810 million property tax levy to fund the maintenance and development of local and regional parks, trails, and natural areas. Proceeds from the levy also directly support towns and cities in King County and other community partners. The levy also established four grant programs that aim to make parks, recreation, trails, and open space more enduring and accessible, including for historically underserved communities and people with disabilities. To learn more, visit the Parks’ webpage on the levy.

If you’d like to stay in the know on levy-related progress and future updates, please subscribe to the Parks newsletter.

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