More young people will have access to outdoor recreation, after-school activities, refurbished aquatic centers, and enhanced sports fields and playgrounds thanks to a combined $5 million in King County Parks funding proposed by Executive Dow Constantine and approved by the County Council.

The 63 funded projects includes local ones like Y.E.T.I., Evergreen Aquatic Center, Mount Rainier Pool and more. Funding will include summer backpacking trips for underserved young people, after-school sports and wellness programs in South King County cities, a new synthetic baseball infield in Seattle’s Central District, and more.

“Investing in our parks and recreational spaces highlights King County’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for every resident,” said Dave Upthegrove, King County Councilmember. “These investments are essential for ensuring that all communities have access to vital resources that promote health, connection, and well-being.”

“With support from King County Parks, more young people will have the opportunity to explore the outdoors, play team sports, swim with friends, and stay connected after school,” said Executive Constantine. “These 63 projects, led by cities, nonprofits, and park districts, will foster healthier kids, families, and communities.”

The package includes $3.5 million in Youth and Amateur Sports Grants and $1.5 million for the Healthy Communities and Parks Fund, partly funded by the voter-approved King County Parks Levy. Grant recipients include cities, school districts, park districts, and community-based organizations.

Many of the projects connect underserved young people with low or no-cost programming, such as after-school sports clubs and day hikes for young adults who have disabilities. Here are a few the projects that successfully competed for funding:

The Youth Experiential Training Institute, known as Y.E.T.I., will receive funding to make it possible for more young people to explore the outdoors.

Local nonprofit Youth Experiential Training Institute, known as Y.E.T.I., will receive funding to make it possible for more young people in low-income and immigrant communities to explore the outdoors.

The City of Seattle will receive funding to replace a play area next to Rainier Community Center

The City of Seattle will receive funding to replace a play area next to Rainier Community Center.

Connecting young people in underserved communities to the outdoors

  • The Youth Experiential Training Institute, known as Y.E.T.I., will receive $187,500 to support eight outdoor clubs at the Highline and Tukwila school districts, serving more than 600 young people in low-income and immigrant families.
  • Braided Seeds will distribute Discover Passes to BIPOC residents and offer free Wilderness First Aid training.
  • Needs of the Community Society will provide opportunities for young adults with disabilities and medical illnesses to experience the outdoors through their Adaptive Day Hike program. 

Expanding access to new and existing youth sports leagues 

  • The Somali Health Board’s Youth Soccer Program will connect more immigrant youth to soccer teams and coaches.
  • After-School All-Stars will receive $202,096 to offer free sports and wellness programs to middle school students in Kent, Tukwila, and Federal Way.
  • The Kent Crusaders Rugby Football Club will provide new opportunities for girls in grades 7 to 12.

Funding for cities to enhance their facilities

  • The City of Tukwila will receive $100,000 for its Sports Academy, an after-school program that incorporates social and emotional learning in youth sports.
  • The City of Seattle will receive $500,000 to improve aging infrastructure, including the community-informed replacement of a play area next to Rainier Community Center and replacing a synthetic baseball infield in the Central District as part of Seattle Parks and Recreation’s broader Garfield Super Block.

Modernizing aquatic facilities in underserved communities

The funding allocations that Executive Constantine proposed to the King County Council were informed by two advisory committees. The Healthy Communities and Parks Fund Advisory Committee members represent nonprofit and community-based organizations, city agencies, and other organizations that bring expertise and diverse perspective to the grantmaking process. The Youth and Amateur Sports Grant Review Panel was comprised of members of the King County Play Equity Coalition.

The 2020-2025 King County Parks Levy is investing a combined $110 million in grant funding

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