Playgrounds are often the first connection kids have to outdoor spaces. It’s not only a place to get the wiggles out; it’s also a place to learn new skills, make friends, observe the plants and animals around you, and build memories with family. But playgrounds also need to be maintained and updated regularly to stay safe, fun, and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
Given the importance of outdoor play, playground projects are a key area of work funded by the 2020-2025 King County Parks Levy. The Parks Levy makes playgrounds happen through levy-funded grants, pass-through funding that goes directly to local cities and community organizations, and funding that goes directly to improving the play areas in the County’s parks system.
Here are some examples of projects completed over the past four years of the current Parks Levy.
Marymoor Park
Located in Redmond, Marymoor Park’s north playground has all new equipment, rubber tile and a repaired curb border.
Skyway Park
Skyway Park has a new playground, new mini-mod soccer fields, new multi-use hockey/basketball courts with added lighting, solar safety lights, pathway additions/improvements, improvements for ADA accessibility, and new fencing.
Preston Park
Parks Levy funding also goes to improving the overall play area in addition to replacing play equipment. At Preston Park’s playground, improvement included replacing all curbing surrounding the playground, storm water improvements to eliminate winter flooding, and installing an ADA entrance.
Salt Air Vista Park
Through the Levy Grants programs, King County Parks is proud to support the City of Kent in the revitalization of Salt Air Vista Park through the construction of a new playground, upgraded natural spaces, and improved drainage at Salt Air Vista Park.
Dockton Park and Marina
Dockton Park is located along the shoreline on Vashon-Maury Island and is just a short ferry ride away from Seattle and Tacoma. This unique park includes a boat launch, picnic shelter, a marina for boat moorage, and a playground that is just feet away from the beach. In addition to replacing worn out equipment, the renovation provided an opportunity to improve ADA access, drainage, and the aesthetics of the park, as well as add new amenities like benches. Keeping with the maritime nature of the park, the new playground is a ship-themed play structure with two slides, a net climber, musical instruments, spinning rope climber, and eventually future swings, which will be installed after King County resolves a warranty issue with the surfacing manufacturer.
What’s next?
In addition to these completed projects, the playgrounds will be replaced in the future at Boulevard Lane Park and Maplewood Park in Renton, as well as the climbing net at Big Finn Hill Park in Kirkland. King County Parks Levy Grants are also supporting several playground projects that are underway in local cities including North Bend, Shoreline, Seattle, Kent, and others.
Collectively, the voter-approved 2020-2025 King County Parks Levy is making it possible to rehabilitate six playgrounds in King County Parks as well as supporting playground projects for local cities and communities throughout the county. Thank you for your support!