On Jan. 30, King County Parks announced that the City of Des Moines Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Department was awarded two 2018 Youth & Amateur Sports Grants based upon scores from the panel of reviewers and agency priorities.

The grant cycle was very competitive, as King County Parks received 96 applications requesting $11 million with $3.6 million in available funding.

“The King County grants provide much needed funding to provide play areas and recreation programs that will help to make Des Moines a great place for our families to live healthy and play,” Parks Director Patrice Thorell said.

The first grant award in the amount of $245,000.00 provides capital funds to build a new “Play for All” play area at Steven J Underwood Memorial Park. The play area is an integral part of the sports facility’s master plan and also provides much needed inclusive outdoor play opportunities serving the greater community and the Pacific Ridge neighborhood. Funding to match the King County grant comes from the City of Des Moines and the Des Moines Legacy Foundation.

The second grant in the amount of $23,000.00 provides funding for the 2018 and 2019 Summer Fun in the Sun program held at Midway Park. This free youth recreation program takes place Monday through Friday throughout the summer alongside the Des Moines Area Food Bank’s free lunch program serving up fun and nutrition for hundreds of neighborhood children.

About King County Parks
King County Parks – Your Big Backyard – offers more than 200 parks and 28,000 acres of open space, including such regional treasures as Marymoor Park and Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park, 175 miles of regional trails, 215 miles of backcountry 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.

About the Youth and Amateur Sports Grant Program
The YASG program is funded and sustained through a 1-percent car-rental tax authorized by the State in 1993. King County Council restructured the program (formerly Youth Sports Facilities Grants) in 2017 to provide Council-directed grants, as well as competitive grants, to non-profit organizations, local governments, and school districts. Funding is available for sports and recreation programs, as well as for capital improvement projects.

King County has awarded roughly $15 million in grants since the program’s inception in 1993, creating nearly 350 new or renovated youth sports facilities throughout the county.