CLARKSTON – Parks in 25 Washington counties will get much-needed repairs–picnic shelters reroofed, tennis courts restriped, pools relined and lawn mowers replaced–thanks to one-time funding for backlogged parks maintenance projects and needed equipment.
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office announced on Monday the award of $4.7 million for 53 projects through its Local Parks Maintenance grant program. The Legislature created the grant program this past year to address maintenance backlogs in local parks.
“We are seeing an overwhelming demand for this type of funding,” said Megan Duffy, RCO director. “During the pandemic and continuing today, more people are visiting parks, which can strain staff and facilities, especially in smaller communities. These grants will begin to make a difference in those places.”
The City of Clarkston will use a $62,000 grant to replace two garage doors on its Beachview Park Maintenance Shop and an unsafe trailer for transporting lawnmowers and tractors. Clarkston also will update its twenty-year-old backup mower and buy a small tractor for use in park maintenance.
