Community Selection process begins August 2024
Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is happy to announce that we have 55 developed park improvement proposals moving to review during this Project Development phase for the Park CommUNITY Fund. Since May, SPR staff have been working with Frontline Community Partners, community delegates, and the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners to refine the list to approximately 30 projects that will be included in the Community Selection process this August.
The community selection will occur in the month of August, during which community members can select their top projects to be awarded funding. Communities will have opportunities to participate online or in person at a pop-up event, with staff available for assistance and to answer any questions about the Park CommUNITY Fund. If your community group needs in-language resources or has any questions, please contact Shaquan Smith and Rachel Banner at ParkCommunityFund@seattle.gov.
Following Community Selection, Staff will use the month of September to assess community feedback for top priority projects, with the help of Frontline Community Partners, the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners, and the Superintendent to determine final project approval. An announcement will be made in October at a community event to celebrate the end of Project Selection, acknowledge the community’s support, and share the awarded project list.
It’s been amazing to see how engaged and involved Seattle frontlines communities have been throughout the Park CommUNITY Fund process,” said AP Diaz, Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent. “Communities have been very intentional and thoughtful in developing projects to ensure they reflect the needs, culture, and history of their communities. We encourage the community to stay engaged and participate in the community selection process in August.”
The Park CommUNITY Fund is a new funding source that relies on public participation and prioritizes frontline communities or communities (particularly those most affected by racism, oppression, and colonization) that experience high displacement risk, disproportionate exposure to environmental harms, a history of disinvestment, and a lack of green space access. We encourage everyone to continue to stay informed about the process and join us in August online to identify the projects you would like to see move forward and receive funding.
Please visit and subscribe to bit.ly/parkcommunityfund. If your community group is interested in engaging with the Park CommUNITY Fund please contact Shaquan Smith and Rachel Banner at ParkCommunityFund@seattle.gov.