Mayor Bruce Harrell is releasing the 2026 Proposed Budget. In this budget, Mayor Harrell is continuing investments and bold actions to address the needs of our communities and advance our One Seattle priorities. Mayor Harrell’s balanced budget proposal remains focused on strengthening public safety, creating housing affordability and stability, and supporting healthy, vibrant, and thriving communities amidst headwinds coming from the federal government and economic uncertainty with a balanced budget. The proposed budget seeks to continue to deliver positive progress, in addition to optimizing use of limited dollars toward key priorities and driving efficiencies.
With the investments in this budget proposal, we can work together to advance our shared One Seattle vision and an agenda that will inspire the best in our city and keep us moving forward.
For Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), key highlights included in the mayor’s proposed budget include a one-time realignment of Park District resources resulting in General Fund savings in 2026 of $7.5 million to preserve critical City services. Additionally, on November 4, 2025, Seattle voters will vote on the new Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) levy renewal. The FEPP levy renewal includes funding for education and youth support programs in SPR , including out of school time programs at Seattle Public Schools at SPR sites, Red Barn Ranch youth and environmental programming, and citywide environmental programming for youth. This equates to a total investment of $2.42 million of FEPP Levy funding for SPR youth programming, and reflects the full restoration of the 2026 Endorsed budget and staffing reduction for the citywide environmental programming and Discovery Park Environmental Learning and Visitor Center (ELC) operations.
The following is a summary of key changes in SPR’s 2026 Proposed Budget:
- On the operational side, the Mayor’s Proposed Budget:
- Restores a 2025 reduction to park maintenance with a focus on restroom maintenance ($0.52 million)
- Expands SPR’s Park Rangers team from 28 to 31 to support the Mayor’s Downtown Activation Team ($0.5 million) by promoting the positive use of city parks, educating and assisting park visitors, and seeking voluntary compliance with laws and rules.
- Furthers the Mayor’s One Seattle Graffiti Plan, through a transfer of resources from Seattle Public Utilities to SPR to support both graffiti abatement efforts and enforcement of the City’s graffiti nuisance code. It also adds funding to enhance the city’s graffiti abatement and prevention efforts for a total investment of $1.3 million.
- On the capital side, the Mayor’s Proposed Budget:
- Adds $2.7 million in 2026 for continued planning and design for the Green Lake Community Center and Evans Pool renovation project, and increases planned bond issuance in 2027 from $56 million to $73 million to allow construction to be done in one phase.
- Invests $2 million to improve access to the 129 restrooms SPR manages across the City by weatherizing 9 facilities and supporting vandalism response.
- Invests $1.8 million in a priority capital project at Gas Works park, to remove certain permanent fixtures, also known as appurtenances, attached to the “Cracking Towers” and install lighting to enhance safety.
- Invests $1 million to support contractually-required improvements to install a large floating breakwater with a boat sewage pump-out facility at the Leschi Moorage which will provide transient boat moorage and public access; the cost of the project has increased due to permitting delays and additional environmental requirements.
For more information on the proposed budget, read the mayor’s press release here: Mayor Harrell Announces 2026 Budget Proposal with Focus on Affordability, Public Safety, Homelessness, and Protecting Local Priorities from Federal Threats – Office of the Mayor
Over the next two months, the City Council will review the Mayor’s 2026 Proposed Budget. Public hearings are on October 7 and November 6. Final adoption of the budget is expected before Friday, November 21.
Watch the Mayor’s Proposed Budget speech here: Mayor Harrell shares his 2026 budget proposal