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King County
Executive Office
Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711
Image: King County Exeutive Ron Sims, News Release

Oct. 3, 2006

Sims’ 2007 budget to propose major investments in King County’s ‘green infrastructure’

Executive bolsters commitment to open space, trails in new budget

Executive bolsters commitment to open space, trails in new budgetVowing to "ensure that our children's children will have a quality of life that includes access to trails, open spaces, forests, fresh air and clean waterways," King County Executive Ron Sims today proposed investing nearly $20 million in "green infrastructure" for 2007.

"We are finding that natural spaces and trails are more than nice amenities, they are essential to a quality of life that includes clean air and water, a reduction in our contribution to global warming and infrastructure for people to live healthy life styles," Sims said. "We have the ability – and the responsibility – to preserve important open spaces and natural lands before they are gone."

Combined with his total investment to trails and open space in 2006, Sims' two-year budget commitment to "green infrastructure" would approach $40 million. Sims defined "green infrastructure" as an interconnected network of green spaces that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions and provides associated quality of life, environmental and economic benefits to people.

"In terms of maintaining the livability of our county for generations to come, there is perhaps no better return on an investment than in green infrastructure," Sims said.

The proposed investments outlined in Sims' 2007 budget proposal include more than 1,200 acres of protected open space, including riverfront lands along the Cedar, Green and Tolt rivers, expanding King County's nationally acclaimed trail system and providing much-needed improvements to parks, pools and other amenities.

"These prudent investments will help to preserve the very best places in King County," Sims said. "Parks, trails and open space form the core of our region's livability, and they are investments that will pay huge dividends now and in the future. "

Sims is scheduled to outline his complete budget proposal to for 2007 the King County Council on Oct. 16.

Primary funding sources for trails and open space programs include real estate excise tax (REET) funds and conservation futures tax (CFT) funds. Both funding sources are tied to property sales within King County, and both are expected to diminish in the coming years.

"Annexations throughout King County and an anticipated slowing in real estate sales will likely lead to reduced revenue sources in the near future," Sims said. "This gives me extra incentive to make these wise investments now, so that there will always be green places and open spaces for future generations to enjoy."

For 2007, Sims budget proposes to invest $11.5 million in CFT funds on a number of projects throughout King County, including:

  • $2.5 million for a proposed Eastside Rail Trail;
  • $1.3 million to purchase nearly 24 acres to expand Discovery Park in Seattle;
  • $750,000 for the Bellevue Greenways and open space system;
  • $400,000 to preserve Camp Kilworth Forest and nearshore areas in Federal Way; and
  • $300,000 to acquire Bass/Beaver/Dandy Lake complex.

King County trails will also grow under Sims' proposed 2007 budget, with more than $8 million earmarked for planning, redevelopment and property acquisition, including:

  • $1.1 million for East Lake Sammamish Trail master planning;
  • $1 million for Soos Creek Trail work;
  • $655,000 for Burke Gilman Trail redevelopment;
  • $600,000 for Enumclaw Plateau Trail bridge design and permitting; and
  • $476,000 for Green River Trail bridge permitting.

For the second year in a row, more than half of the Parks Division capital budget is devoted to expanding and linking King County's regional trail system.

"King County's 175-mile trail system is among the best in the nation, and the investments that I'm proposing will improve the existing system and expand it so that more can enjoy the benefits that trails offer," Sims said. "Tens of thousands of people use our trails everyday for recreation, exercise and as an environmentally friendly way of commuting."

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  Updated: Oct. 3, 2006