Translate
Parks Grant Programs
Competitive Grants
These grants require an online application and will be evaluated based on program-specific scoring rubrics. The most competitive projects will receive awards until available funding for that grant cycle is fully awarded.
Please note, Nonprofit and Fiscally-sponsored organizations are eligible for Healthy Communities and Parks and Youth and Amateur Sports grant programs only.
At a glance
| Grant program | Funding available (2026-2031) | Eligible organizations | Applications accepted |
| Aquatic Facilities | Up to $31 million | Cities and towns, park districts, and public school districts | 2026, 2028, 2030 |
| Ballfield Access and Preservation | Up to $13.5 million | Cities and towns, park districts, and public school districts | 2026, 2028, 2030 |
| Healthy Communities and Parks | Up to $30 million | Nonprofit organizations, fiscally-sponsored organizations, Tribes, cities and towns, and park districts | 2026, 2028, 2030 |
| Youth and Amateur Sports | To be determined | Nonprofit organizations, fiscally-sponsored organizations, Tribes, cities and towns, public school districts and park districts | 2027, 2029, 2031 |
Aquatic Facilities
This grant program helps communities preserve and increase public access to public pools as our region grows and existing facilities become obsolete or reach capacity. Funds can be used for activities related to the renovation or expansion of existing facilities, or construction of new aquatic facilities in King County.
Funding Available: Up to $31 million for 2026-2031. Applications will be accepted in 2026, 2028, and 2030.
Eligible Organizations: Cities and towns, park districts, public school districts, and other public entities that own or operate public aquatic facilities
Eligible Project Types and Award Maximums:
- Construction - $5 million
- Land Acquisition - $5 million
- Feasibility Study - $150,000
- Planning & Design - $150,000
Examples of Eligible Projects: See full guidelines for more examples of eligible activities for each project type.
- Purchase of adjacent land to expand an existing facility footprint for aquatics use.
- Renovation of an existing indoor or outdoor pool’s mechanical systems (HVAC, filtration, lighting, etc.), locker room/restroom upgrades, pool lifts, or entry pads.
- Site plans, design, or architectural renderings of a new or renovated aquatic facility.
- Preliminary cost estimating, financial modeling, or operations planning to support project readiness.
Ineligible Projects: Private or exclusive aquatic facilities, operational costs, and/or program requests.
Read the Aquatic Facilities Grant Guidelines for more details.
Ballfield Access and Preservation
This grant program helps communities preserve and increase public access to sports fields. Funds can be used for activities related to the renovation of existing ballfields, like artificial turf conversion or replacement, and the construction of new ballfields in King County.
See Ballfield Grant Guidelines
Funding Available: Up to $13.5 million for 2026-2031. Applications will be accepted in 2026, 2028, and 2030.
Eligible Organizations: Cities and towns, park districts, and public school districts
Eligible Project Types and Award Maximums:
- Construction - $1 million
- Operations & Maintenance - $250,000
- Planning & Design - $150,000
- Feasibility Study - $150,000
Examples of Eligible Projects: See full guidelines for more examples of eligible activities for each project type.
- Building new multi-use natural grass or synthetic turf ballfields.
- Regrading and resurfacing existing fields to improve safety and playability.
- Routine turf care, infield grading, irrigation system repair, and surface replacement.
- Preparing field layouts, grading and drainage plans, and construction drawings.
Ineligible Projects: Private or exclusive ballfields, program requests, construction of indoor athletic facilities.
Read the Ballfield Access and Preservation Grant Guidelines for more detail.
Healthy Communities and Parks
This grant program supports projects that increase access to parks, trails, open space, recreation facilities, and programming for underserved communities of King County. Funds can be used for activities that advance parks and recreation opportunities in communities with the greatest unmet needs.
See HCP Grant Guidelines
Funding Available: Up to $30 million for 2026-2031, with $10 million reserved for cities and towns. Applications will be accepted in the Fall of 2026, 2028, and 2030.
Eligible Organizations: Nonprofit organizations, fiscally-sponsored organizations, Tribes, cities and towns, and park districts
Eligible Project Types and Award Maximums: Varies based on project type with increased funding for projects located within a DNRP Opportunity Area.
-
Construction - $500,000*
-
Land Acquisition - $500,000*
-
Program - $250,000
-
Planning & Design - $150,000*
-
Feasibility Study - $150,000
*Projects located within a DNRP Opportunity Area qualify for a 50% bonus. Eligible Construction and Land Acquisition projects may request up to $750,000 and Planning & Design projects may request up to $225,000.
Examples of Eligible Projects: See full guidelines for more examples of eligible activities for each project type.
-
Construction of new neighborhood parks, play areas, fitness zones, or walking paths.
-
Increase access to recreational classes such as fitness, movement, or outdoor skills instruction in public parks by offering free or low-cost options for participants with financial barriers.
-
Acquisition of a parcel in a dense urban neighborhood lacking open space for conversion into a small community park or play area.
-
Community needs assessment and conceptual programming analysis to identify most valued park features.
Ineligible Projects: Private or member-only facilities, art installations or murals in public parks, and projects that primarily serve populations outside King County.
Read the Healthy Communities and Parks Grant Guidelines for more detail.
Youth and Amateur Sports
This grant program supports fit and healthy communities by investing in facility improvements and athletic programs that increase access to sports and exercise. This grant program was established in 1993 and is funded by a 1% Car Rental Tax.
Funding Available: Varies based on car rental tax proceeds. Applications will be accepted in the Fall of 2027, 2029, and 2031.
Eligible Organizations: Nonprofit organizations, fiscally-sponsored organizations, Tribes, cities and towns, park districts, public school districts, and other public agencies.
Eligible Project Types: Construction and Program
Maximum Award: Awards are typically up to $250,000
More detail will be available soon in the Youth and Amateur Sports Grant Guidelines.
Council-directed Grants
The King County Council directs funding for two grant programs with specific goals. Once these awards are made, funded organizations work with Parks to contract their grant, report on progress, and receive payment.
Each Councilmember has their own process for distributing funds. Parks is not involved in decisions about who receives funding or how much, only the administration of grants after they are awarded by a Councilmember.
To learn more about Council-directed grants, contact your local King County Councilmember’s office.
council-directed grants
In 2025, the King County Council established the Climate Resilience grant program to support projects focused on forest stewardship, stormwater management solutions, and actions that help communities withstand climate-related hazards. This grant program is funded by the King County Parks Levy.
See Climate Resilience Program Guide
Funding Available: Up to $5 million for 2026-2031.
Eligible Organizations: Nonprofit organizations, fiscally-sponsored organizations, Tribes, cities and towns, park districts, public school districts, and other public agencies.
Eligible Projects: Projects must provide public benefit, public access and focus on activities related to forest stewardship, parks/stormwater facility projects, and/or community response projects. See grant program guide for details and definitions.
Examples of Eligible Projects:
- Community tree planting events and the removal of noxious weeds in forests
- Planning or construction of a natural stormwater park feature
- Education and outreach campaign on sustainable food systems and community gardens
- Flood mitigation and community preparedness projects
In 2016, the King County Council established the Get Active Stay Active grant program. These grants support projects that increase access to health-enhancing physical activities or recreation, with a focus on underserved communities. This grant program is funded by both the King County Parks Levy and the Car Rental Tax.
See Get Active Stay Active Program Guide
Funding Available: Up to $15 million from 2026-2031.
Eligible Organizations: Nonprofit organizations, fiscally-sponsored organizations, Tribes, cities and towns, park districts, public school districts, and other public agencies.
Eligible Project Types:
- Programs, including team sports, outdoor recreation, and fitness classes such as yoga, dance, and martial arts, among others.
- Program expenses, such as equipment, direct service personnel, scholarships, facility fees, transportation, and nutrition.
- Facility improvements, such as construction and materials.
Former Grant Programs
The Open Space – River Corridors grant program supported projects that help restore the natural functions of rivers, create public access, and increase public awareness of river corridors as valuable natural resources.
From 2022-2025, Parks awarded $21.5 million to 46 projects carried out by public agencies, Tribes, and community organizations on rivers across King County.
This grant program incentivized multi-benefit projects that integrate recreation improvements and habitat restoration with larger floodplain management efforts.
The Parks Capital and Open Space grant program supported a range of projects that expand and improve recreation opportunities for the region’s growing population, including the development of parks, trails, and the acquisition of open space for future public spaces.
From 2022-2025, Parks awarded $25 million to 49 projects carried out by cities, towns, and park districts across King County.
In the 2026-2031 Parks Levy, the Parks Capital and Open Space was converted from a competitive grant program to a direct passthrough payment to towns and cities in King County for parks system operations and capital improvement projects.