County Conservation Futures funds to benefit Greenwood/Phinney community

February 11, 2013

Summary

Funds to be used to build park across from Library

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today authorized an interlocal agreement with the city of Seattle to use county Conversation Futures Tax Levy (CFT) funds for construction of a park in the Greenwood/Phinney neighborhood in North Seattle.

“A park along Greenwood Avenue will enhance the community and provide neighbors with a place to recreate and enjoy some green space,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, Chair of the County Council's Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee and representative of the Greenwood/Phinney neighborhood. “I am pleased to see King County’s Conservation Futures Tax funds going toward adding open space in urban neighborhoods as well as preserving existing natural areas.”

Citing the absence of open space along Greenwood Avenue, which runs through the heart of the neighborhood, the CFT funds were given to the City for the construction of a park. The park will be located on 81st and Greenwood Avenue N., directly across the street from the recently-constructed neighborhood branch of the Seattle Public Library.

King County CFT funds are collected throughout King County as a dedicated portion of the property tax for the acquisition of open space and resource lands. The Conservation Futures Citizens' Committee makes recommendations about which conservation projects to fund and provides those recommendations to the King County Executive to consider for inclusion in the annual budget ordinance. The Council’s passage of interlocal agreements allows the CFT funds to be distributed for the identified projects.