The Parks Capital and Open Space Grant program, administered by King County, Washington, supports projects that expand and enhance recreational opportunities for the county’s growing population. The program funds the development of both active and passive recreation facilities, trails, and the acquisition of open space for future public parks. It is designed to improve accessibility, increase recreational spaces, and promote environmental sustainability.

A total of $25 million is allocated to this grant program for the 2020-2025 funding cycle. Individual awards can reach up to $1 million. For the 2025 funding cycle, $5.2 million is available. Applications are accepted biennially, with the next Request for Applications (RFA) period running from February 24 to April 3, 2025.

Eligible applicants include city or town governments and park districts within King County. The grant supports various project types, including land acquisition, feasibility studies, planning and design, and construction. This broad scope ensures that both new and existing recreational spaces can benefit from improvements.

Past funded projects highlight the program’s impact, such as enhancing amenities at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park in Renton, including ADA-accessible waterfront picnic floats. Other projects include the construction of a main entrance with parking at Jenkins Creek Park in Covington to improve accessibility and safety and the design of a teen and senior center in Tukwila, which integrates multigenerational community engagement efforts for recreation and gathering spaces.

This grant is part of the larger King County Parks Levy Grants, which collectively allocate approximately $110 million over six years for parks, recreation, and open space projects. Other grant programs under this levy include the Open Space – River Corridors Grant, the Healthy Communities and Parks Fund, and the Aquatic Facilities Grant. These programs work together to improve public access to recreational spaces and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

Prospective applicants can access additional resources such as the Parks Grants Guide, application previews, and evaluation criteria for the 2025 grant cycle. Further inquiries can be directed to King County Parks Grants via email at ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov or phone at (206) 848-0699.