We held our final August meeting of the Parks and Neighborhoods (PaN) committee last Friday, August 9.
The Committee considered two pieces of legislation that fund several community projects around Seattle: one authorizes the disbursement of Neighborhood Matching Fund Large Project funds to six neighborhood- led projects. The other awards $8 million from the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy Opportunity Fund, to 11 projects that were vetted and ultimately selected by the Oversight Committee.
Here’s more about these items:
The Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF) was created in 1988 to encourage neighbors and community members to identify impactful projects within their communities. Since the beginning, the NMF has helped fund more than 4,000 projects throughout Seattle. Every award from the NMF is matched by donations from neighbors in cash, services, labor hours, and/or materials.
There are three NMF award categories: Small Sparks (up to $1000), Small and Simple (up to $25,000), and the Large Projects Fund (up to $100,000). The ordinance before us on August 9, 2013 related to the Large Projects Fund, which awards up to $100,000 to community led projects. The Department of Neighborhoods has recommended the following projects for Large Projects funding:
| Project Name | Organization | District |
| North Trail Pre-Design Work | Friends of Lower Kinnear Park | Magnolia/Queen Anne |
| Montlake Family Fitness | Montlake Family Fitness | East |
| Madison Valley Neighborhood Landmark Construction | Madison Valley Community Council | East |
| View Ridge Playground Project | View Ridge Elementary PTA | Northeast |
| Central Area Urban Gardeners | Central Area Urban Gardeners | Central |
| Get Lifted: an Elevator for Washington Hall | Historic Seattle | Central |
The Opportunity Fund, part of the Parks and Green Spaces Levy approved by voters in 2008. Provided $15 million to fund community led park development or acquisition projects. $8 million has been allocated toward projects in the 2012/2013 funding cycle.
The Levy Oversight Committee advises the Mayor, the City Council, and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Superintendent on matters relating to the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy, which includes recommending projects to receive allocations for acquisition and development from the Opportunity Fund. The Oversight Committee met monthly through the winter and spring of 2013 and has recommended the following projects for development and acquisition:
| Project Name | Sector of the City |
| Broadway Hill Park | Central East |
| Installing Playground at Washington Park Playfield | Central East |
| Northwest Native Canoe Center | Central West |
| Completing Magnolia Manor Park | Central West |
| Sacajawea Playground Renovation | Northeast |
| Lake City Skatespot | Northeast |
| Baker Park Expansion | Northwest |
| Threading the Needle Park (24th Ave. NW) | Northwest |
| The Seattle Sensory Garden | Northwest |
| Lewis Park Natural Area Improvements | Southeast |
| Othello Park Improvements | Southeast |
| South Park Plaza | Southwest |
| 48th Ave SW & SW Charleston | Southwest |
| Highland Park Playground Improvements | Southwest |
I’d like to thank all who have been involved in selecting the successful projects and neighbors who attended the Parks and Neighborhood Committee to give their support to and voice their concerns about these projects. Councilmember Godden, Councilmember Rasmussen and I felt confident that the process has been thorough and thoughtful, and voted to approve all recommended projects.
If you want to know more about how to apply for future Neighborhood Matching Fund grants here is the FAQ from the Department of Neighborhoods.
Since the full Council will not meet again until September 3, our recommendations will appear before Full Council on Tuesday, September 3rd:
- C.B. 117878 An ordinance relating to the Department of Neighborhoods; authorizing implementation of certain Neighborhood Matching Fund projects in 2013.
- C.B. 117876 An ordinance relating to the Opportunity Fund category of the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy; accepting the recommendations of the Oversight Committee.
Our next Parks and Neighborhoods Committee will meet on Friday, September 13th at 9:30 a.m. Our regularly scheduled meeting on the first Thursday in September will be moved to the 13th in observance of Rosh Hashanah.
Thank you for your interest in Parks and Neighborhoods. Enjoy the rest of August!