King County wants to spend $100 million on 57 land projects covering about 1,500 acres, from saving part of a city park to turning other sites into salmon habitat and stormwater space

King County proposes $100M for 57 land projects covering 1,500 acres. Its members represent all nine King County Council districts, including urban and rural communities.Of the proposed $100 million, $86.7 million would come from King County's Conservation Futures Program, while another $13.8 million would come from the King County Parks Levy.King County voters approved restoring the Conservation Futures tax to its original rate in 2022, while voters renewed the six-year King County Parks Levy in 2025. The project would provide recreational space while treating runoff from approximately 234 acres before it reaches the Duwamish River.In Duvall, Conservation Futures funding would help expand Big Rock Sports Park, adding protected land between active recreation areas and restored habitat. Plans could include soft-surface trails or a boardwalk along wetlands.All land acquisitions funded through Conservation Futures and the King County Parks Levy would be voluntary and require agreements between buyers and sellers.Zahilay's proposal also includes $2.1 million for site stabilization, including demolition and fencing, to ensure newly protected open spaces are safe while improvements begin.Zahilay announced the proposal at Cheryl Chow Park in Seattle's Rainier Valley, where Seattle Parks and Recreation received $2.8 million in Conservation Futures funding to acquire the property. An additional $500,000 from the King County Parks Levy helped cover construction and ADA-accessible playground improvements.The proposal now requires approval from the King County Council before the $100 million conservation package can move forward.

Source: Times of India September 12, 2026 19:59 UTC