Category Overview
Local Parks grants help protect these symbols of vibrant communities, providing places for families to gather and play and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in an era when people spend increasing amounts of their time inside. The WWRP is the largest source of local parks funding in Washington, helping communities fund the acquisition, development, and renovation of vital recreation areas and green spaces.
Project Highlights
The City of Poulsbo will use this grant to develop an inclusive playground in the 21-acre Raab Park. The new playground will include seven new pieces of equipment and numerous sensory stations, all of which are designed to accommodate people with physical disabilities and provide a sensory-rich experience. The 9,000-square-foot playground will feature a soft, padded synthetic surface and wheelchair accessible ramps. The new equipment will include pieces such as a wheelchair-friendly merry-go-round, inclusive teetertotter, extra wide slides, and swing seats. The new equipment will be next to the park’s small playground, which is accessible to people with disabilities, but not fully inclusive. No play equipment will be removed. The inclusive playground is a community effort. The Poulsbo North Kitsap Rotary Club formed a partnership with the City and is co-leading this project alongside the Kitsap Community Foundation, special interest groups, and citizens. Raab Park is a well-used, community park and hosts a variety of activities, including the community gardens, a dog park, a walking trail, basketball, volleyball, picnicking, and a skate park. Poulsbo will contribute $249,824 in cash, staff labor, a private grant, a grant from RCO’s Land and Water Conservation Fund, and donated labor.