Summary

Councilmember Balducci included a $1 million capital appropriation in the King County Council's supplemental budget for Outdoors for All’s renovation project of Building 18 in Magnuson Park

Story

SEATTLE (June 27, 2019) The Outdoors for All Foundation today thanked King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci for securing $1 million in King County’s supplemental budget to support the Foundation’s plan to significantly expand life enriching recreation programs for individuals with disabilities. This will be accomplished by renovating Building 18 in Magnuson Park into a new headquarters and community recreation center for individuals with disabilities, their families and volunteers.

Outdoors for All has entered into contract negotiations with Seattle Parks and Recreation for a long-term lease agreement to re-develop, restore and activate historic Building 18 at Magnuson Park. Building 18 is a 13,247-sqaure foot, two-story brick building that was constructed in 1936 and served as the former Naval Station firehouse. Outdoors for All was selected earlier this year following the department’s issuance of a Request for Proposal process in August 2018.

Outdoors for All plans to convert the building into a public mixed-use facility, including offices and meeting rooms, equipment storage and adaptive recreation programs for people with disabilities as it expands its reach and depth of services as part of a long-term strategic plan.

“The $1 million in funding from the County is a real boost to our overall fundraising efforts to renovate Building 18,” said Ed Bronsdon, Executive Director of Outdoors for All. “We are deeply thankful for Councilmember Balducci’s leadership and belief in our organization’s ability to convert this unused building into a public facility that will serve as a launching pad to the joy and transformative experiences that come from adaptive outdoor recreation.”
“All King County residents should be able to enjoy and experience our unparalleled natural environment,” said Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “King County has committed to a significant investment that will support Outdoors for All to expand and deepen its ability to make the outdoors accessible to people of all abilities. I am proud to join my colleagues on the Council in supporting the mission of Outdoors for All.”

Outdoors for All has a 40-year history as a nonprofit of providing transformative experiences to people with disabilities through outdoor activities, including cycling, camping, river rafting, kayaking, rock climbing and more. The organization leverages trained staff, a committed board and a dedicated pool of hundreds of volunteers.

About Outdoors for All
Outdoors for All has been enriching the lives of children and adults with disabilities through adaptive outdoor recreation in Washington state since 1979. Today, more than 2,900 individuals with disabilities ski, snowboard, bike, kayak, hike and rock climb annually thanks to the support of more than 800 volunteers. More information is available at outdoorsforall.org.

Media Contact:
John Williams, Scoville PR for Outdoors for All
(206) 660-5503
jwilliams@scovillepr.com