Local parks are critical to communities across Washington, whether they serve as the main gathering space for a small rural community or an oasis of green space in an urban city center. WWRP Local Parks grants are a key tool to help communities upgrade aging parks or create new ones. The WWRP is the largest source of local parks funding in Washington, helping to build vibrant communities, providing places for families to gather and play, and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in today’s technology age.
Our featured Local Parks project is the Electric City Ice Age Park, which was just funded earlier this year. This $257,649 grant will help Electric City develop the City’s first public park, named Ice Age Park. With a population of approximately 1,000, Electric City is located in Grant County near the Grand Coulee Dam. Electric City currently has no developed public parks, and there are no other parks in the nearby region. The City proposes to turn a vacant property into a 0.41 acre park with green space, pathways, playground and splash pad facilities, a picnic shelter, and restrooms.
Electric City is located in the center of the area impacted by the Ice Age Floods, and is on the National Geologic Trail between Missoula, Montana and Eugene, Oregon. The area is surrounded by many Floods features including Dry Falls Dam and Steamboat Rock. The park will celebrate the local history by containing Ice Age themed play equipment and interpretive signs, enabling an educational experience for residents and visitors alike.
