County Council approves agreement with Ravensdale Park Foundation

February 24, 2014

Summary

30-year agreement sets up paves way for construction of ballfields

Story

The Metropolitan King County Council today gave its unanimous approval to a use agreement between King County and the Ravensdale Park Foundation. The agreement clears the way for construction of two synthetic ballfields and all related infrastructure at Ravensdale Park, which is located at Southeast Kent Kangley Road and 272nd Avenue South.

“The expansion of Ravensdale Park will provide increased quality of life and recreational opportunities for the youth and adults of southeast King County,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who represents Ravensdale on the County Council and was the lead sponsor of the ordinance. “Southeast King County has seen an explosion of new families moving into the area, but right now there is a deficiency of youth recreational fields. This project is a step in the right direction.”

“This collaborative effort between Councilmember Dunn, the Ravensdale Park Foundation and the city of Maple Valley working together helps meet the serious lack of athletic parks in South East King County,” said Maple Valley Mayor Bill Allison.

“By carefully leveraging our funds, King County is able to provide Ravensdale residents with much-needed ballfields and park improvements for families and children,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The use of synthetic turf in the ballfields will keep the cost of park maintenance low.”

“This effort has brought neighboring citizens together as well as county, city, and state officials to construct a first-class park in southeast King County,” said Rob Nist of the Ravensdale Park Foundation. “The park was collaboratively designed by the community and will serve a wide variety of needs. The park will greatly benefit the surrounding communities and residents with much needed recreational infrastructure.”

The Ravensdale Park Foundation is a nonprofit organization set up to design and facilitate upgrades and enhancements to Ravensdale Park through a partnership with King County Parks.

The agreement leverages significant investment and enables King County to provide residents with two multi-use synthetic ballfields and related improvements at the park. In addition to providing new recreation opportunities, the synthetic fields also keep the division’s maintenance costs low.
The total project has a projected budget of $6 million. Of that total, $2 million will come from a King County Community Partnerships and Grants (CPG) program grant; $2 million will come from a City of Maple Valley grant; $650,000 will come from a State of Washington grant and the remainder through community fundraising and in-kind support. Construction will begin during spring 2014.

“Our community is growing quickly and families need a great place to recreate,” said State Senator Joe Fain, who secured a $650,000 grant for the park in the state’s 2013 capital budget. “This project has been successful because of incredible community engagement by citizens seeing it through. It’s promising to know a dedicated team of advocates will continue supporting additional park construction and more importantly taking advantage of all it has to offer.”
“Projects like the Ravensdale Park are a great example of public and private stakeholders coming together to build better communities,” said State Representative Chad Magendanz. We were in a unique position last session to enhance our parks system to create safe places for kids to play and engage in competitive sports, and I was happy to support their efforts.”

The Parks and Recreation Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks determined the proposed project will allow for multiple uses and users throughout the year, thus increasing public use and access in a historically underserved area of King County, especially for residents of especially for residents of unincorporated King County, Maple Valley, Black Diamond, and Covington.