$700,000 in King County grant funding going to youth recreation facilities projects

Existing sports fields and gyms will be renovated and new athletic amenities will be coming to several communities, thanks to new funding from the King County Parks Youth Sports Facility Grant (YSFG) program.

King County Executive Ron Sims today announced 15 matching fund grants totaling $700,000 that will give youth sports and recreation facilities a much-needed financial boost.

The grants, some as large as $75,000, will help build new sports complexes, playgrounds and even a climbing wall in communities across King County.

Administered by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, the YSFG program is funded and sustained through a one-quarter of 1 percent car rental tax. Funds can be used for developing and constructing facilities, but not for maintenance or operations costs.

“These facilities are vitally important to keeping kids off the streets, building self-esteem, teaching teamwork and promoting good health," Sims said.

“Participating community organizations must match the grant money that we provide, creating double the investment in our young people and sports facilities. This helps bring more amenities to more parts of King County and provides a visible reminder to young people that we care enough about them and their environment to invest in them,” he said.

King County Parks’ YSFG program will leverage over $5 million for local parks and recreation projects through partnerships with cities, schools, and local community organizations.

King County has awarded nearly $10 million in grants since the program's 1993 inception, resulting in over 250 projects of new or renovated youth sports facilities.

Suburban cities and school districts are encouraged to partner with youth sports leagues and community organizations to apply for grants. Grant funds can be used for a variety of projects, including construction or rehabilitation of ball fields, playgrounds and sport courts, among others.

For more information on the Youth Sports Facility Grant Program, contact Butch Lovelace at 206-263-6267, or Butch.Lovelace@kingcounty.gov.

Awards for the Youth Sports Facility Grants for the year 2008 are:

Related Information

Youth Sport Facility Grant program

King County Parks