The Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation Department’s planned “barrier-free playground” and two Auburn School District playground projects will receive support from the King County grant program.
The City’s barrier-free playground at Les Gove Park was one of 11 community projects earning grants for 2009. Participating community organizations must match the grant money.
County Executive Dow Constantine today announced the 11 matching fund grants totaling nearly $500,000 from the King County Parks’ Youth Sports Facility Grant program. The funding will leverage more than $1.5 million for local parks and recreation projects through partnerships with cities, schools and local community organizations.
“These grants help keep kids off the streets and promote good health,” Constantine said. “It’s good for our communities.”
Administered by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, the YSFG program is funded and sustained through a one-quarter of 1 percent car rental taxes. Funds only can be used for developing and constructing facilities and not for maintenance or operations costs.
Arts, Parks & Rec and the Rotary Club of Auburn will receive a $70,000 grant for the planned 10,000-square-foot barrier-free playground, which will be designed with the physical, sensory and developmental abilities of all children in mind. The $300,000 playground will include universally-accessible pathways and surfacing; play structures configured to support all levels of development; ramps, bridges, and transfer stations – allowing every child to reach the highest play deck; elevated sand tables, interactive walls, activity panels and auditory elements.
In addition, two Auburn school playgrounds – Alpac and Hazelwood elementary – will receive grants. Alpac playground project will receive $10,000, while the playground at Hazelwood will earn a $23,000 grant.
King County has awarded more than $10 million in grants since the program’s inception in 1993, resulting in more than 260 new or renovated youth sports facilities. Suburban cities and school districts are encouraged to partner with youth sports leagues and community organizations to apply for grants.
Grant funds can be used for a variety of projects, including construction or rehabilitation of ball fields, playgrounds and sport courts, among others.
