The Metropolitan King County Council on July 13 gave its unanimous approval to an ordinance that will provide the necessary funds needed to complete an improvement project for Ravensdale Park.

“Ensuring that the storm water treatment center will be prepared for the runoff from the current expansion and any future expansions of Ravensdale Park is a cost saver now and in the future,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who represents the Ravensdale community on the County Council. “This project is a great example of how the County is being proactive to plan for future growth and is acting as a good financial steward of the taxpayer’s money.”

“King County has been a great partner to work with in completing the Ravensdale Park.  It was a win-win for everyone involved” said Rob Nist of the Ravensdale Park Foundation.

In 2009, the Ravensdale Park Foundation (RPF) adopted a master plan for the park that included four athletic fields and related park facilities.  In 2011, RPF completed Phase 1 of the master plan – synthetic surfaces on two of the fields – with $1.4 million provided by the County through a Community Partnerships and Grants (CPG) grant and $400,000 raised by RPF through community fundraising.

In 2014, RPF began work on Phase 2 of the master plan, the addition of synthetic surfaces on the remaining two fields, along with installation of lights, additional parking, new buildings for restroom, concession, and maintenance, and related infrastructure. The project was substantially completed in February 2015, and was funded with an additional $2 million CPG grant from the County, as well as a grant from the City of Maple Valley, and more community fundraising.

To allow for future expansion of the park, Councilmember Dunn worked with his colleagues on the Council to provide the additional funding necessary to expand the stormwater treatment center now to keep the costs down in the future.

To fund the cost increase, the County has awarded RPF a new $199,128 CPG grant and has agreed to waive field rental fees during RPF’s first year using the new fields (saving RPF $80,000). RPF has agreed to make up the remainder of the increased cost through its own fundraising. Going forward, RPF and the County have agreed to a 10-year use agreement for the park.