Seattle Prep, County partner to maintain stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park

March 30, 2010

Summary

County Council adopts 30-year maintenance agreement that ensures Park, Olson Stadium remain open to the public

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously adopted an ordinance creating a unique partnership between King County and Seattle Preparatory School for the use and maintenance of Mel Olson Stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park. The Council approved the agreement at its March 29 meeting.

“Steve Cox Park is a tremendous asset for the community that is assured of remaining well-used and taken care of for many years to come thanks to this partnership with Seattle Prep,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, chair of the Council’s Environment and Transportation Committee. “This is a win-win-win for the people of White Center, the students at Seattle Prep, and the taxpayers of King County.”

For the past 18 years, Mel Olsen Stadium has been the home field for Seattle Prep’s baseball team. In 2008, volunteers from the school donated over 1000 hours of physical labor and helped coordinate fundraising efforts to rehabilitate the stadium and the park. The rehabilitation project was followed by the April, 2008 renaming of the park in honor of Steve Cox, a King County Sheriff’s Deputy killed in the line of duty in December 2006.

“This is a prime example of the kind of public-private partnerships that are a critical ingredient in building better communities,” said Councilmember Jan Drago, whose district includes Steve Cox Park. “Seattle Prep played a big part in refurbishing the park, and this agreement will allow the entire White Center community to enjoy the park for years to come and honor the memory of Deputy Steve Cox.”

In the agreement, Seattle Prep will pay fees for the use of the stadium, as well as provide supplemental maintenance of the facility, and assist with major maintenance by providing volunteer labor, project coordination and fundraising assistance. In exchange, while other organizations and the public will continue to have access to the stadium and park, Prep receives priority use of the stadium for baseball games and related events.

In 2002, the County redefined its role regarding regional parks, adopting a business plan for parks that cultivates strong relationships with non-profit, corporate and community partners in order to enhance park amenities while reducing costs.