Improve your community: King County seeks applications for Youth Sports Facility Grants

A program that has awarded nearly $10 million in grants and contributed to more than 250 new or renovated athletic fields throughout King County is once again seeking applications for new projects.

The King County Parks and Recreation has begun a new application cycle for Youth Sports Facility Grants (YSFG). The YSFG program provides matching grant funds of up to $75,000 to community and youth organizations that partner with a public agency, such as a school district or city parks department, to develop or renovate sports facilities.

To qualify for a grant, applicants must meet a 1-to-2 matching requirement.

“The YSFG program is a model for capital planning and development through partnerships, which are a major component of the Parks Division's business plan,” said Parks Division Director Kevin Brown.

“Communities can stretch their limited budgets even farther by partnering with King County to provide or improve existing recreational facilities, and we encourage those interested to talk with their local recreation provider about participating in this highly successful program,” Brown said.

In the past, grants have been awarded for athletic fields, skate parks, playgrounds, sport courts, and rowing facilities, among others. Grant requests range from $5,000 to $75,000.

The YSFG program is funded and sustained through a quarter of 1 percent of car rental taxes. The program also receives $100,000 annually from the YSFG endowment established with the sale of a county building.

King County Parks is accepting YSFG applications until June 12, with letters of intent due May 1. Visit www.kingcounty.gov/parks and click on the YSFG link for an application packet. For more information contact Butch Lovelace, program manager, at 206-263-6267 or e-mail at butch.lovelace@kingcounty.gov.

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 25,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, plus pools and a world-class aquatic center. By cultivating strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners, King County Parks enhances park amenities while reducing costs. Learn more at http://www.kingcounty.gov/parks/.

Related information

Youth Sport Facility Grant (YSFG) Program

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard