King County Parks Announces More Than $22 Million in Grants for 2026–2027

KING COUNTY, Washington — King County Parks has announced the upcoming launch of three grant programs offering more than $22 million in funding to support public parks, recreational facilities, and community access to outdoor spaces.

The application period will open on Monday, November 30, 2026, and remain open through Monday, February 1, 2027. The funding initiative is part of King County Parks’ 2026–2031 grant funding cycle, which aims to improve recreational opportunities and strengthen communities throughout the county.

This year’s funding cycle includes three programs: Healthy Communities and Parks, Aquatic Facilities, and a new Ballfield Preservation and Access program.

Three Grant Programs Available

1. Healthy Communities and Parks — Up to $9.1 Million

This program supports projects that expand access to parks, open spaces, recreational facilities, and community programs, particularly in underserved communities.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored organizations, federally recognized tribes, cities, towns, and park districts.

The updated program no longer uses funding tiers, allowing applicants to request funding up to the maximum amount permitted for their project type.

2. Aquatic Facilities — Up to $9.5 Million

The Aquatic Facilities grant program supports projects that expand, improve, and preserve public swimming pools and other qualifying aquatic facilities throughout King County.

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, park districts, public school districts, and other public entities that own or operate public aquatic facilities.

A key change for this funding cycle is the removal of the matching-fund requirement, allowing eligible applicants to request the full cost of their projects, subject to program guidelines.

3. Ballfield Preservation and Access — Up to $3.5 Million

New for this funding cycle, the Ballfield Preservation and Access program will support improvements to ballfields and projects that increase public access to recreational sports and play spaces.

Eligible applicants include cities, towns, park districts, and public school districts.

Funding limits vary by project type, so applicants are encouraged to review the official program guidelines before submitting proposals.

Important Dates and Information Sessions

King County Parks is encouraging potential applicants to begin preparing ahead of the application launch.

Key dates include:

• November 5, 2026, at 12 p.m.: Parks Grants Preview webinar.
• November 30, 2026: Applications open.
• December 2, 2026, at 12 p.m.: Aquatic Facilities and Ballfield information session.
• December 3, 2026, at 12 p.m.: Healthy Communities and Parks information session.
• February 1, 2027: Application deadline.

Registration links and additional information are available through the official King County Parks grants website.

New Resources for Applicants

To make the application process more accessible, King County Parks has updated its grants website and introduced new resources designed to help applicants understand eligibility requirements, funding limits, and application procedures.

Available resources include updated grant guidelines, frequently asked questions, an online dashboard featuring previously funded projects, and information about the grant application process.

Applicants can also contact the King County Parks grants team by email at ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov for additional assistance.

Supporting Stronger Communities Through Parks

The grant initiative represents a significant investment in public recreation, outdoor access, and community infrastructure across King County.

By supporting parks, swimming facilities, and ballfields, the programs aim to help communities maintain valuable recreational spaces, improve public access, and create more opportunities for residents to participate in outdoor activities.

Organizations interested in applying should review the eligibility criteria and program-specific requirements before the November 30 launch date to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming funding cycle.