King County will help Kent pay for a new playground, walking path and landscaping at Green Tree Park.
Kent will receive a $60,000 matching grant through the county’s Youth Sports Facilities Grant (YSFG) program, according to a county media release.
The YSFG Program has provided $12 million in matching grants countywide since the program started in 1993.
Kent annexed Green Tree Park, 120th Avenue Southeast and Southeast 216th Street, from the county as part of the 2010 Panther Lake annexation.
The 1.5-acre park features a playground and half basketball court.
The program will leverage nearly $2.1 million for local parks and recreation projects through partnerships with cities, schools and local community organizations. The county awarded more than $530,000 in matching fund grants for youth sports facilities throughout the county. Participating community organizations must match the grant money.
“These grants will help provide activities for youth that promote good health, build self-esteem and teach teamwork – and by partnering with community organizations and tapping into their energy, we are able to accomplish so much more than any of us could do alone,” said County Executive Dow Constantine.
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.
The grants, as large as $75,000, are 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, and funds can only be used for developing and constructing facilities, and not for maintenance or operations costs.
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