With millions of visitors annually to its parks, trails and other locations, King County Parks has long enjoyed strong support from the public that it serves.
Last night, King County Parks received some formal recognition for its excellence in providing the kinds of amenities and services that its citizens want.
The Washington Recreation and Parks Association (WRPA) awarded King County Parks with two “Spotlight Awards” at the association’s annual awards banquet, in Spokane. The annual awards recognize parks and recreation professionals and advocates, as well as agencies demonstrating best practices, programs and facilities.
King County Parks received WRPA’s “Spotlight Award for Best Sports Complex” for the synthetic turf athletic field conversion project at Marymoor Park, which was completed in 2006.
King County also received the “Spotlight Award for Best Park or Trail Map” for the Regional Trails in King County map. This map features King County’s expanding network of regional greenways and shared-use paths.
“King County Parks is delighted to receive this recognition from WRPA,” said Kevin Brown, King County Parks and Recreation Division Director. “We are committed to providing quality recreational opportunities for our residents while being responsible stewards of public funds and our natural environment.”
By converting four sand surface fields to lighted synthetic turf fields at Marymoor Park, King County was able to dramatically increase field availability for sports such as soccer, rugby, lacrosse, field hockey and football. The conversion also eliminated silt run-off into nearby Sammamish River and lowered overall maintenance costs for the agency.
The field conversion project also employed green building practices, such as re-purposing the original sand at other locations in the park, using recycled rubber for the turf’s infill and installing porous asphalt. King County Parks and the King County Facilities Management Division worked with landscape architecture firm, Bruce Dees and Associates, on this project.
The Regional Trails in King County map was released in 2008 and identifies physical trail characteristics, parking and transit locations, and trail access points. It also illustrates recent trail corridor acquisitions and developments and highlights opportunities for future trail connections.
Created by the King County GIS Center and King County Parks, the map is available in printed form in various parks and trail locations, the King County map room at King Street Center in Pioneer Square, or by contacting King County Parks at (206) 296-4232. It is available online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/operations/GIS/Maps/VMC/Recreation.aspx.
The Washington Recreation and Parks Association is a statewide organization established to advance the field of parks and recreation.
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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/.
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King County Parks - Your Big Backyard