Summary

Executive Zahilay submitted a proposal to the King County Council that would award $100 million in competitive grant funding for 57 conservation projects that would increase access to urban greenspace, restore salmon habitat, and protect farmland and forestland. 

News

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay today announced his proposal to allocate a combined $100 million in conservation funding to increase access to urban greenspace, restore salmon habitat, and protect farmland, forestland, and natural areas throughout the region.  

If approved by the King County Council, Executive Zahilay’s proposal would use existing revenue sources to fund 57 projects that protect about 1,500 acres countywide. 

A few highlights include permanently protecting a popular park in SeaTac, preserving a P-Patch located next to affordable housing built by Habitat for Humanity in Bellevue, transforming a large gravel parking lot along the Duwamish River into healthy habitat for native salmon, and protecting farmland that contributes to a sustainable local food economy. 

A person speaks behind a lectern at a playground
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announces his proposal to allocate a combined $100 million in conservation funding at a press event at Seattle’s Cheryl Chow Park in the Rainier Valley.

“One of the most powerful tools we have as a local government to promote healthy, connected, resilient communities throughout King County is land conservation,” said Executive Zahilay. “Based on the priorities of the communities we serve, my conservation plan will create, protect, and enhance parks, trails, forestland, farmland, river corridors, and natural areas throughout our region that contribute to our quality of life. By protecting these places today, we are building a King County where every generation has access to clean air and water, opportunities for recreation, and pristine natural spaces.” 

Executive Zahilay based his funding package on recommendations by the Conservation Futures Advisory Committee, a 16-member volunteer board that reviews each application for open space preservation funding. Committee members represent each of the nine County Council Districts, including urban and rural communities. 

Each of the 57 projects would contribute to King County’s Land Conservation Initiative, a regional partnership protecting the last, best 65,000 acres of open space for urban greenspace, farmland, forestland, river corridors, trail corridors, and natural areas, each contributing to the region’s quality of life.  

Most funding – $86.7 million – is generated by King County’s Conservation Futures Program with the remaining $13.8 million generated by the King County Parks Levy. King County voters in 2022 approved an initiative to restore the Conservation Futures tax to its original rate while voters in 2025 renewed the six-year King County Parks Levy, which includes funding for open space acquisition. Both measures passed by more than 70%. 

Examples of conservation projects included in Executive Zahilay’s proposal 

  • River with trees
    King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks would build upon years of progress protecting critical habitat and recreation opportunities along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River.
  • A man plants seeds at a p-patch
    A partnership between the City of Bellevue and Habitat for Humanity would preserve a P-Patch and orchard located next to an affordable housing development planned in the Factoria neighborhood of Bellevue.
  • Two people take photos of forestland
    King County is working to protect nearly 200 acres to expand and connect existing park systems while providing additional protection to the surrounding forested lands.
  • A person walks on a nature trail in an urban park
    The City of SeaTac would be able to permanently protect 45 acres of its popular North SeaTac Park with King County Conservation Futures funding included in Executive Zahilay’s proposal to allocate a combined $100 million in conservation funding.

Here are a few of the projects included in Executive Zahilay’s proposal:

Preserving a P-Patch and orchard located next to affordable housing built by Habitat for Humanity 

A partnership between the City of Bellevue and Habitat for Humanity would preserve a P-Patch and orchard located next to an affordable housing development planned in the Factoria neighborhood of Bellevue. The housing development will feature 25 units for families with children.  

Permanently protecting a popular park in SeaTac 

The City of SeaTac would receive match waiver funding to permanently protect a portion of North SeaTac Park, part of 220 acres of land it has leased from the Port of Seattle since 1991. The city wants to ensure the location, designated “aviation commercial,” remains a popular park that welcomes an estimated 650,000 visitors each year.

Transforming a gravel parking lot into salmon habitat along Duwamish River 

King County’s Water and Land Resources Division would be able to begin transforming a large gravel parking lot in Tukwila along the Duwamish River into critical habitat for salmon as they transition from freshwater to saltwater on their journey to the Pacific Ocean. The project would build on a past award to acquire the property and would also fund public amenities such as a trail and interpretive signage for the neighboring community. Just upstream from the parking lot is a successful proof of concept: a restoration project called Chinook Wind that turned a paved lot with a dilapidated hotel into much-needed habitat for endangered Chinook salmon, the preferred food source for southern resident orcas.

Protecting eight farms on the Enumclaw Plateau and in the Green River Valley 

The Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Farmland Preservation Program would acquire agricultural conservation easements to permanently protect eight farms on the Enumclaw Plateau and in the Green River Valley. This work contributes to priority actions in King County’s Local Food Initiative by protecting farmland that is critical to a thriving, sustainable local food economy. The project would transfer development rights from farmland to urban areas to increase housing availability.

Restoring Molasses Creek to a more natural state for salmon and community 

Rather than replacing a deteriorated stormwater pipe that runs underneath a park in the Fairwood neighborhood east of Renton, King County’s Water and Land Resources Division would use conservation funding to acquire property that will allow daylighting of Molasses Creek, providing a more natural passage for salmon returning to their spawning grounds. A feasibility study conducted in 2023 determined that daylighting the creek would provide long-term sustainability for maintenance and replacement of the aging infrastructure while restoring salmon habitat designated as Tier 1, the highest priority for protection and restoration.

Permanently protecting Lake Youngs Trailhead near Petrovitsky Park

East of Renton, King County Parks would acquire land to allow permanent ownership of the Lake Youngs Trailhead and support future trail connection to the nearby King County Petrovitsky Park.  

Acquiring property to create a stormwater park in Skyway  

The Department of Natural Resources and Parks would acquire property from willing sellers in Skyway to develop a regional stormwater park, a dual‑purpose project that will offer new recreation opportunities and treat stormwater runoff from roughly 234 acres before it drains to the Duwamish River. The project adds stormwater management capacity for runoff from neighboring homes and streets while reducing the financial burden on future affordable housing developers. The property would provide a long-term solution that safeguards homes, supports a healthier environment, and provides a welcoming new greenspace for the community.

Expanding a park in Duvall, adding trails along protected wetlands  

Conservation Futures funding would help the City of Duvall further expand Big Rock Sports Park after recently funding the acquisition of three parcels. This next phase would acquire additional land to create a natural buffer between the active recreation areas and the restored habitat while offering scenic, passive recreation opportunities that include soft-surface trails or a boardwalk along wetlands.

  • A hiker walks on a trail
    Much of King County’s Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park was acquired with King County Conservation Futures funding.
  • An urban forest with a gravel path and trees
    King County Parks’ Glendale Forest in North Highline started with acquisition funded by the King County Parks Levy and King County Conservation Futures.
  • A wooden exterior sign reads, "Chinook Wind"
    King County’s Chinook Wind project that converted a dilapidated hotel along the Duwamish River in Tukwila into a much-needed estuary and urban greenspace started with land acquisition partly funded by King County Conservation Futures.
  • People stand along a tree-lined river
    The successful floodplain restoration project on the Green River known as čakwab, pronounced “chock-wab,” started with the acquisition that was partly funded by King County Conservation Futures.
  • Aerial photo of river with farmland
    The Fall City Floodplain Restoration along the Snoqualmie River — the largest in King County’s history — started with acquisition funded in part by King County Conservation Futures.

All land acquisitions funded by Conservation Futures and the King County Parks Levy are voluntary, requiring an agreement between the purchaser and seller. The proposal includes $2.1 million for site stabilization costs, such as demolitions and fencing, to make sure that open spaces are safe and protected while stewards begin making improvements. 

A person records a press briefing on a mobile device.
Executive Zahilay announced a combined $100 million in conservation funding at a press event hosted at Seattle’s Cheryl Chow Park in the Rainier Valley.

Executive Zahilay announced his proposal at Cheryl Chow Park in Seattle’s Rainier Valley neighborhood. Seattle Parks and Recreation received $2.8 million in Conservation Futures funding to acquire the property – which had been degraded for years – along with $500,000 in King County Parks Levy funding to help cover construction costs and add amenities to the ADA-accessible playground.  

King County conservation funding is administered by the Department of Natural Resources and Parks. 

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Quotes

“One of the most powerful tools we have as a local government to promote healthy, connected, resilient communities throughout King County is land conservation. Based on the priorities of the communities we serve, my conservation plan will create, protect, and enhance parks, trails, forestland, farmland, river corridors, and natural areas throughout our region that contribute to our quality of life. By protecting these places today, we are building a King County where every generation has access to clean air and water, opportunities for recreation, and pristine natural spaces.” 

Girmay Zahilay, King County Executive 

“Open Space addresses a basic human need – to be outside, in sunshine and with nature.  As we build more housing and increase density, it is critical that there are parks and trails, playfields and playgrounds for people who live, work, and play in King County. Protecting northwest farmland, forestland and watersheds is important now and as a legacy for future generations. I applaud this commitment of $100 million to purchasing protecting the last, best 65,000 acres of open space. We welcome everyone to Cheryl Chow Park in the heart of District 2 – my district and home to many fans of parks, trails, and open space.” 

Rhonda Lewis, King County Councilmember

“These investments continue to advance King County’s unparalleled conservation program, forever protecting the natural spaces and places that make King County such a special place to live. Thank you to all of our volunteer Conservation Futures Advisory Committee members, county professional staff and to our voters and taxpayers who have invested in this program for decades. We should all celebrate and be proud of this work.” 

Rod Dembowski, King County Councilmember 

“As King County grows, we need to make sure access to nature grows with it. Conservation Futures has already helped expand parks, trails, and open space throughout South King County, from the Lake to Sound Trail and the SeaTac-Des Moines Creek Trailhead to neighborhood parks, shoreline, and open spaces across our communities. These investments are bringing nature closer to home in places that haven’t always seen the same investment in open space. By continuing this work, we are ensuring future generations have parks, trails, forests, and waterways that help make our communities healthy places to live.”

Steffanie Fain, King County Councilmember 

“The Conservation Futures Advisory Committee is pleased to recommend funding for this year’s parks and open space conservation package – for people, for salmon, and for future generations. “

Catherine Gockel, Chair of the Conservation Futures Advisory Committee 

“The Open Space Equity Cabinet is so pleased to be seeing meaningful investments that will help create an equitably distributed public open space system. Outdoor access starts with acquisitions. Coupled with programs that help to support recreation programming, emerging farm businesses, natural area restoration, and capital investments that center community driven design, King County and its partners are helping to create a future where everyone benefits from the significant values provided by high-quality public lands.” 

Claire Sumadiwirya, Co-Chair Open Space Equity Cabinet  

“What started as an effort to expand Big Rock Ballfields has become something much bigger, a legacy project for Duvall. Through this partnership with King County, we’re creating more opportunities for kids and families while permanently protecting the forests, trails, and open space that make our community special. For a city our size, this is an extraordinary investment in our future, and its benefits will reach well beyond our city limits. We have the opportunity today to protect this land, and future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy it.”

Amy McHenry, Mayor of Duvall

“As our region continues to grow, we must plan not only for what we will build, but also for what we cannot afford to lose. North SeaTac Park’s 45 acres are exactly the kind of community asset we must protect. The park remains vulnerable to development, even though it is essential to public health, environmental resilience, and residents’ quality of life. King County’s recommended $8 million Conservation Futures investment demonstrates what forward-thinking growth can look like. We appreciate the County’s partnership in protecting this vital community resource.”

Senayet Negusse, Deputy Mayor of SeaTac

Contact

Doug Williams, Department of Natural Resources and Parks, 206-477-4543
Chad Lewis, Department of Natural Resources and Parks, 206-263-1250
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