State. of Washington Recreation and Conservation Office

The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office today announced the award of $4.7 million for 53 projects through its Local Parks Maintenance grant program. The Legislature created the grant program this past year to address maintenance backlogs in local parks.

“We are seeing an overwhelming demand for this type of funding,” said Megan Duffy, RCO director. “During the pandemic and continuing today, more people are visiting parks, which can strain staff and facilities, especially in smaller communities. These grants will begin to make a difference in those places.”

Grants were awarded in 25 counties for a range of projects. For example, the City of Forks will replace the 38-year-old cedar shake roof and siding on the Tillicum ball field restrooms while the Port of Mattawa will replace a park maintenance truck that has a failed transmission and is beyond repair. The City of Othello will buy a larger and faster lawn mower to groom 50 acres of parkland, which currently requires three staff with three smaller mowers to complete weekly mowing. The City of Sunnyside will paint the 48-year-old Central Park pool house and the Town of Friday Harbor will replace rotted boardwalk planks and beams in Sunken Park.

Sunken Park’s wooden pedestrian boardwalk and overlook were installed in 1995. Due to age and heavy use, the components need to be selectively replaced. Sunken Park’s boardwalk and overlook are eight to twelve feet above the interior of the park and wrap around the outside of the park. The boardwalk and overlook have park benches, resting areas, two staircases, and a ramp that provides access to the park’s interior. The Town will replace planks, posts, beams, ledgers, joists, guardrail posts, hand railing, staircase stringers, and rail supports. Visit RCO’s online Project Snapshot for more information, https://secure.rco.wa.gov/prism/search/ProjectSnapshot.aspx?ProjectNumber=23-1766.