05.11.22

King County parks agencies awarded $6.27 million from fund championed by Sen. Cantwell

Grants will help build or revitalize three recreation sites in urban areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agencies in Washington state will receive funds totaling $6,274,375 to revive and develop three urban parks following an announcement from Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland on Friday. After this announcement, Senator Cantwell released the following statement:

“The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program is a prime example of the invaluable conservation programs that we were able to permanently and fully fund last Congress. Upgrading these treasured green spaces will help promote physical fitness and boost urban outdoor recreation opportunities in King County.”

According to Secretary Haaland, $61 million has been allocated nationwide for the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program this year. Since 2014, the ORLP has helped enable communities to create new parks and invigorate existing outdoor recreation opportunities in economically underserved communities through a competitive grant process.

Washington’s three qualifying projects are located in King County. They include:

Lakeland North Urban Park (official park name TBD) - $3,612,027

  • King County Parks will acquire 21 acres of undeveloped open space for a new public park and develop culturally relevant, nature-based recreation amenities including trails, signage, play features, parking, landscaping, restrooms, and site restoration. The park is located in an area lacking walkable access to open space and is listed as a "high need" area for park investment by The Trust for Public Land.

Garfield Super Block - $2,170,902

  • Seattle Parks and Recreation will transform Garfield Park, located in an urban area lacking recreation opportunities, into a comprehensive, multi-use park by installing new site furnishings, play equipment, nature play elements, restrooms, parkour elements, a covered picnic area and a circular pathway with lighting. The project will also include a resurfacing of the sports fields and various landscaping improvements.

Be'er Sheva Park - $491,446

  • Seattle Parks and Recreations will enhance and redevelop 2.4 acres of Be'er Sheva Park, located in the Rainier Beach community along the shoreline of Lake Washington. The project includes the installation of a fitness zone, a lighted walking loop pathway, exercise equipment, picnic tables, barbecues, bike racks, and a community gathering space. The renovation will additionally encompass new landscaping and resilient surfacing treatments.

The ORLP program is funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) State and Local Assistance Program. After funding for the LWCF expired in 2018, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) led Congressional efforts to reauthorize a permanent budget of $900 million per year and fully fund the program into the future.

Since its creation, LWCF has supported more than 42,000 state and local projects in communities across the country. It’s helped fund more than 600 projects in Washington state, including popular recreation sites like Olympic National Park, Lake Chelan, and Riverside State Park.

 

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