Whether it’s a rowing center, baseball field or skate park, in communities from Federal Way, Shoreline or North Bend, King County’s Youth Sports Facilities Grant Fund (YSFG) program has helped build or renovate hundreds of public sports amenities at minimal taxpayer expense.

“Programs like this help ensure that children across the county have access to facilities that make our communities healthier, safer, and more connected,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “I’m particularly proud that it expands recreational opportunities in underserved neighborhoods where children have less access to healthy activities.”

YSFG provides matching grant funds ranging from $5,000 to $75,000. Past grants have been awarded for athletic fields, playgrounds and sport courts, among others, including many in underserved communities where access to sports facilities is limited.

The Parks and Recreation Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks is now accepting applications from qualified groups that partner with a public agency, such as a school district or city parks department, to develop or renovate sports facilities.

The program is funded and sustained through a quarter of 1 percent of car rental taxes, and also receives interest earnings from the YSFG endowment established by the sale of a county building.

Since its inception, YSFG has awarded $12 million in grant funds benefiting youth athletics in King County. In 2013, the program funded 10 projects with approximately $555,000 in grant awards.

Applications for King County YSFG program grants will be accepted until June 20, with letters of intent due May 2. For an application packet, visit kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/partners/ysfg.aspx.

More information is available by contacting Butch Lovelace, program manager, at (206) 477-4577, or email butch.lovelace@kingcounty.gov.