County Conservation Futures funds to benefit Carkeek Park

June 18, 2012

Summary

Will fund addition of more than an acre of space to the park

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today authorized an interlocal agreement with the city of Seattle to use county Conversation Futures Tax Levy (CFT) funds for improving Carkeek Park in North Seattle.

“Carkeek Park is a gem for Seattle residents for the recreation and open space opportunities and the water quality protections it provides,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips, Chair of the Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee and representative of the North Seattle neighborhood where Carkeek Park is located. “Conservation Futures funds will enhance Carkeek Park by expanding the park to make a critical piece of buffering property available to the public in perpetuity.”

The CFT funds will be used to acquire an important 1.65 acre wooded inholding on the edge of Carkeek Park along Carkeek Park Road in northwest Seattle. The parcel is strategically located between the two major land areas of the park. Acquiring the parcel will prevent development on the property that would negatively impact the park. It also provides a buffer to Pipers Creek and the Pipers Creek Trail.

King County CFT funds are collected throughout King County as a dedicated portion of the property tax for the acquisition of open space and resource lands. The Conservation Futures Citizens' Committee makes recommendations about which conservation projects to fund and provides those recommendations to the King County Executive to consider for inclusion in the annual budget ordinance. The Council’s passage of interlocal agreements allows the CFT funds to be distributed for the identified projects