Facility Fee Assistance Program for Open Spaces and Trails

Purpose

To remove barriers to recreational access for King County’s most underserved communities. The aim is to ensure that no one is denied access to renting or using a park facility based solely on an inability to pay. This Facility Fee Assistance Program establishes criteria for fee assistance eligibility and creates a formal application process. Through this program King County Parks may waive, in whole or in part, user fees for persons or organizations that serve persons meeting established eligibility requirements.

To qualify, applicant’s gross income must be no more than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, as established by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.

In addition to meeting the household income eligibility requirements, the following categories may be assessed to determine eligibility for the Facility Fee Assistance Program.

1. Non-profit organization, fiscally sponsored community group, community-based organization, and Tribal government agencies serving residents of King County
2. For-profit company or organization
3. Geodemographic Information
4. Public benefit
5. Priority populations

Priority populations are defined as: Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities (mobility, vision, hearing, chronic illness, addiction, neurodivergence, mental health conditions), lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, two-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+) communities.

The following qualifying criteria applies to open spaces, regional trails, and backcountry trails only. You may be asked to show additional documentation upon request as eligibility criteria is reviewed.