2026-2031 King County Parks Levy
2026-2031 King County Parks Levy
The King County Parks Levy is a voter-approved property tax that keeps regional and city parks, trails, and open spaces available for everyone. No matter where you are in King County, the Parks Levy goes to support your local parks and trails.
Your voice matters. We want to hear from you what should be in the upcoming 2026-2031 Parks Levy to improve the parks and outdoor spaces in your community.
We invite you to complete our community survey by April 29, 2024.
About the King County Parks Levy
The King County Parks Levy runs on a six-year cycle, with the current levy running from 2020-2025. Currently, about 80% of the total budget for King County Parks comes from the levy. The main goals of the King County Parks Levy are:
| Existing Parks & Trails Take care of King County’s existing system of parks and trails, ensuring the system remains clean, safe and open. | Regional Trails Improve regional trails and mobility, ensuring that essential connections are completed and existing trails are maintained. | ||||||
| Increase Access Make parks and recreation opportunities more accessible for all King County residents to enjoy. | Open Space Grow and connect regional open space and natural lands, protecting habitat important for fish and wildlife and providing recreation opportunities. |
King County Parks Levy FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
The King County Parks Levy is a voter-approved property tax that keeps regional and city parks, trails, and open spaces available for everyone. No matter where you are in King County, the Parks Levy goes to support your local parks and trails.
The King County Parks Levy runs on a six-year cycle, with about 80% of the total budget for King County Parks generated by the current (2020-2025) levy. The main goals of the King County Parks Levy are:
Keep existing parks and trails open, clean, and safe
Make parks and recreation more accessible for all King County residents to enjoy
Improve regional trails
Grow and connect natural lands and open spaces, preserving important habitat
The levy is important because it keeps both King County and local cities' parks and trails open. Funding from the King County Parks Levy also supports key community benefits, such as grants for community organizations to run recreational programs, purchase of community lands, city projects and programs, and more.
Yes! Levy funds go to cities, towns, and unincorporated parks, trails, and open spaces. No matter where you are in King County, the Parks Levy goes to support your local parks and trails.
In the current 2020-2025 King County Parks Levy, an estimated $61.5 million is going to parks in cities and towns. Public pools and river corridors in local cities and towns received an additional $66.4 million total. Construction projects and levy-funded community grants also benefit communities throughout the county.
The 2020-2025 King County Parks Levy is a countywide property tax based on assessed value. It was projected to generate about $810 million over the course of six years and has grown slightly as property values, population and inflation increased. The 2024 estimated property tax rate is 19.43 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The cost of the 2026-2031 King County Parks Levy is still being determined as we gather additional input.
We’re glad you asked! King County Parks is soliciting public feedback now through April 2024. Your voice matters. Let us know what should be included in the upcoming Parks Levy to support your community.
Complete the survey by April 29 and/or attend an upcoming community meeting on April 9 or 23. Go to KingCounty.gov/ParksLevy for the survey and the latest event information.
The overall process for developing the 2026-2031 King County Parks Levy is:
Now through May 2024: Input from Tribes, local cities, non-profits, the public, and others
Summer 2024:
Summary report from community feedback
Draft levy proposal will be created based on all public, tribal, partner, and King County leadership feedback
Fall 2024: Draft proposal shared with the King County Executive for review and feedback
Early 2025: King County Executive transmits levy proposal for King County Council review, feedback, and possible approval
Summer/Fall 2025: Finalized 2026-2031 King County Parks Levy proposal on ballot for King County voter approval
2026-2031 King County Parks Levy Timeline
What kinds of projects are made possible by the King County Parks Levy?
Below are examples of projects from the current, 2020-2025 King County Parks Levy.