The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office will begin accepting applications Aug. 15 for a new grant program to help maintain local parks.
The Local Parks Maintenance grant program provides funding to help address maintenance backlogs in local parks. The grants may also be used to fund labor, materials and equipment. Grant applications are due Sept. 18.
RCO is offering a free application webinar on Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. to showcase the grant opportunities and explain application requirements. Attendees must register online via the RCO website.
Cities, counties, towns and Native American tribes are eligible to apply, as well as parks and recreation districts, port districts and special facilities districts.
“More people than ever are visiting local parks,” said Megan Duffy, director of RCO, in a press release. “Lack of funding for maintenance and additional visitors means increased wear and tear on well-loved local parks and their amenities. These grants will help parks catch up on backlogged maintenance projects and create better experiences for residents.”
Grants specifically are for deferred maintenance activities such as fixing a leaky picnic shelter, patching or repainting a basketball court and replacing rotted tables and fences. Routine maintenance tasks such as mowing fields or cleaning bathrooms are not eligible for funding, nor are development or renovation projects such as creating a new sports field or adding lights to a facility.
