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
This project will fund the acquisition of two residential properties (0.33 acres) next to Riverview Park in the City of Snoqualmie, integrating properties in Park renovations that add a scenic viewpoint, expand the play area, improve pedestrian access, and refurbish the park as a marquee feature of the Snoqualmie Riverwalk Trail. The project re-establishes riparian ecology in place of buildings, lawn and invasive species, improving local habitat for elk, bald eagles, and Bull trout. Snoqualmie has two downtown parks with recreation facilities; Riverview Park is the most central (downtown population 1,600), only 800’ from the Historic Commercial core. Despite its proximity and beautiful location along the Snoqualmie River, the park is undersized and underdeveloped, with park facilities close to residential structures, outdated play equipment, and no educational components. Nearby views of the River and surrounding mountains are largely inaccessible; the two other developed views are 1.5 miles away. The City wishes to enhance the destination identity of Riverview Park, revitalize its play capacity, and improve its trail access. The expansion supports a longer term riverwalk vision, which will connect to the 31-mile Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail (the longest in King County), and the John Wayne Pioneer Trail to Idaho. The adopted Snoqualmie Riverwalk conceptual plan highlights Riverview Park as an important anchor, improving public access, play, and developing the most exceptional view of Mt. Si in the City.