For Release:
Contact: Susan Zemek
Washington Recreation and Conservation Office
360-764-9349

OLYMPIA–The Recreation and Conservation Funding Board has awarded more than $148 million to projects across the state that will build and improve parks and trails, conserve irreplaceable wildlife habitat and maintain land for farming and forestry.

“These grants are critical to keeping Washington a premiere destination for outdoor adventure as well as a great place for Washingtonians to live,” said Megan Duffy, director of the Recreation and Conservation Office, which supports the board. “These grants are key to building great communities. The grants help communities light ball fields, make parks accessible to people with disabilities, connect gaps in trail systems, refurbish pools and resurface pickleball courts.”

Several studies have shown the value outdoor recreation provides to communities and have estimated that it supports more than 6 percent of all jobs in Washington.1

“Recreation not only is important to Washington’s economy, but to the health of the people who recreate here,” Duffy said. “Countless studies have shown that spending time outside can improve a person’s physical and mental health, reduce stress and even improve eyesight. It also does so much for our kids, including helping them improve their social connections and school grades. These grants are important for ensuring there are great places to recreate across Washington.

In total, the board awarded 242 grants to projects in 35 of the state’s 39 counties. The board received 411 applications requesting more than $266 million in funding, meaning just more than half (59 percent) of the projects received funding.

In addition to recreation, the grants help cities, counties, Tribes and state agencies conserve valuable undeveloped areas for wildlife and conserve forests and farmlands for the future.

 “Washington is known for its great outdoor spaces and its legacy of farming and forestry,” Duffy said. “As Washington’s population grows, if we don’t conserve that land now, it won’t be there to continue those legacies.”

Grants were awarded in the counties listed below. Descriptions of the projects are online.


Adams County: $346,500Klickitat County: $9,205,550
Benton County: $576,000Lewis County: $1,493,045
Chelan County: $5,987,082Mason County: $3,418,496
Clallam County: $3,303,988Okanogan County: $11,307, 247
Clark County: $1,255,731Pacific County: $1,197,250
Columbia County: $1,560,750Pierce County: $14,249,690
Cowlitz County: $3,508,890Skagit County: $4,614,825
Douglas County: $6,485,404Skamania County: $349,998
Ferry County: $356,670Snohomish County: $6,905,306
Garfield County: $264,215Spokane County: $13,205,549
Grant County: $2,455,456Stevens County: $150,000
Grays Harbor County: $4,361,700Thurston County: $7,177,314
Island County: $262,500Whatcom County: $2,166,597
Jefferson County: $1,890,645Whitman County: $68,404
King County: $13,845,969Yakima County: $2,050,000
Kitsap County: $10,040,043Multiple Counties: $7,054,979
Kittitas County: $7,608,830

1Mojica, J., Fletcher, A., 2020. Economic Analysis of Outdoor Recreation in Washington State, 2020 Update. Earth Economics, Tacoma WA, p.3