King County seeks applications for Youth Sports Facilities grants

Program has awarded more than $10 million in grants for fields, skate parks, more

From new soccer fields in Ravensdale, to a new running track surface in Highline, the King County Youth Sports Facilities Grant Fund (YSFG) has helped build or renovate hundreds of public sports amenities in neighborhoods across the county at minimal taxpayer expense

“Thanks to robust partnerships with community groups, we are using our limited resources to bring new or improved recreational amenities for King County residents that otherwise wouldn’t be possible,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

Fund administrator, the King County Parks and Recreation Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, is accepting applications from qualified groups that partner with a public agency, such as a school district or city parks department, to develop or renovate sports facilities.

The YSFG Program provides matching grant funds of up to $75,000. 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 $25,000 annually from the YSFG endowment established with the sale of a county building.

Since its inception in 1993, the YSFG Program has awarded more than $10 million in grants and contributed to more than 250 new or renovated athletic facilities throughout King County.

Applications for King County YSFG grants will be accepted until June 17, with letters of intent due May 4. 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.