State funding secured for recreation improvement projects in King County

Improved public access to recreational areas and habitat preservation are two key benefits of conservation work that will move forward in King County, thanks to efforts this week by the Washington Recreation and Wildlife Coalition (WWRC) to secure state funding for numerous projects here and elsewhere.

"This funding gives us the ability to move forward with important projects that benefit King County residents by improving recreational opportunities," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "During these difficult budget times, we are grateful for additional funds that allow us to enhance our parks and trail systems."

The WWRC advocates for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP), a state grant program funded by the Washington State Legislature.

Projects funded in King County include:

• A $500,000 Cougar Mountain Park – Precipice Trail grant that King County will use to expand Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park and to create a buffer that will prevent pending development and provide an Issaquah entrance to the park;
• A $500,000 East Lake Sammamish Trail grant that will allow King County to expand and pave the trail along the east side of Lake Sammamish, connecting Redmond, Issaquah and Sammamish; and
• A $317,000 Duthie Hill Trailhead Park Development grant that King County will use to expand the trailhead at Duthie Hill Park, so cars don't have to park offsite or in dangerous locations.
• The projects were funded after legislators reached across party lines during the 2011 session to save the WWRP and the vital conservation projects that the program funds in communities around the state.

Supporters of the WWRP around the state, including former governors Dan Evans and Mike Lowry, have stepped forward to commend the Legislature for working together to save the program, which not only contributes to the quality of life in Washington but also plays a critical role in our recreation economy.

"I want to applaud the House and Senate leadership, Democrats and Republicans alike, for coming together on this issue," said Governor Evans, a founding co-chair of the WWRC, which advocates for the WWRP, with Governor Mike Lowry. "Funding conservation projects is an important part of maintaining our heritage and way of life in Washington state."

In addition to the $42 million the Legislature approved, which funds more than 55 critical projects statewide, the Legislature also ensured that the WWRP maintained its integrity, continuing to fund projects using a non-partisan, merit based criteria that has made the WWRP a successful and nationally recognized program.

"Twenty-two years ago, when we founded this coalition, we wanted to create a program that serves generations of Washingtonians to come," added Governor Lowry. "I join communities around the state in thanking the Legislature for these vital recreation and conservation projects which are so important to our quality of life and our economy."

Projects funded by the WWRP will save hundreds of acres of land for outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat. Renewing WWRP funding is an essential investment in the long-term prosperity of our state because of the number of jobs that outdoor recreation like fishing, hunting and hiking and more brings to our state. Annually, parks and recreation-based activities generate some $8.5 billion in retail dollars and millions in tax dollars, supporting 115,000 jobs statewide.

“It was a long and difficult session, but in the end everyone worked together for a common good,” said Joanna Grist, Executive Director of the WWRC. “We are incredibly thankful that both the Senate and the House recognize not only the importance of funding conservation projects and maintaining our heritage, but also in maintaining the integrity of the WWRP.”

About the WWRC
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition (WWRC) is a non-profit citizens group founded in a historic bipartisan effort by former governors Dan Evans and Mike Lowry. Our members consist of a diverse group of over 250 organizations representing conservation, business, recreation, hunting, fishing, farming, and community interests. Our breadth and diversity is the key to our success – no one member of the Coalition could secure this level of funding for parks and habitat on their own!

What we do
The Coalition founded the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) grant program in 1989 to address the need to preserve more land for outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat. A state agency, the Recreation and Conservation Office or RCO, reviews, ranks, and distributes the grants through a competitive process that guarantees that only the best new park, habitat and farm projects are funded. The Coalition lobbies the Governor and the Legislature, which sets the funding level and approves the final list of projects.

About the RCO
The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency that manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect the best of the state's wildlife habitat and farmland, and help return salmon from near extinction. For more information, contact Susan Zemek 360-902-3081.

What is the WWRP?
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (RCW 79A.15) is a state grant program funded from the capital construction budget that provides funding to protect habitat, preserve working farms and creates new local and state parks. Independent experts rank the applications based on criteria such as the benefits to the public, level of threat to the property, or presence of threatened or endangered species.

What is the difference between the WWRP and the WWRC?
The WWRC, or Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition, is the non-profit citizens group that serves as the watchdog and advocate for the WWRP grant program. The WWRP is a state grant program funded by the Legislature and administered by the RCO. The Coalition receives no funding from the state—instead we rely entirely on the generous contributions of individuals, organizations, and corporations for our operation.

# # #

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard - offers more than 200 parks and 26,000 acres of parks and natural lands, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails 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/.