Ilalko Elementary Receives Sports Facility Grant

A new playground structure and padding will replace an older jungle gym at Ilalko Elementary in Auburn thanks in part to a Youth Sports Facilities Grant the school received from King County.

The $22,000 Ilalko will receive from the county will be matched by $11,000 raised by the school’s PTA.  The funds will be used to replace old playground equipment with a new “Big Toy,” a structure that includes climbing and balance equipment, slides and overhead bars. Since Ilalko will start serving the Auburn School District’s most severely to profoundly disabled students next year, the equipment will be designed to be accessible to special needs children.

“This grant benefits both the school and the community around Ilalko,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, whose district includes Ilalko Elementary. “The new play structure will help the school prepare for its new mission assisting disabled students. The playground will also be another safe place for neighborhood kids to play. I applaud the community effort that has played a big role in the transformation that will take place.”  

The Youth Sports Facilities Grant, administered by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, is funded and sustained through a tax of a quarter of 1 percent on car rentals.