Parks board readies pitch to council for $450,000 match for state RCO youth-facilities grant

The Ocean Shores Parks Board discussed pursuing a Washington state RCO (Recreation and Conservation Office) youth facilities grant to revitalize North Bay Park and said the mayor has approved seeking the grant. The board said the grant requires a local match and that the city council must approve funding for that match.

Kristen told the board the RCO grant application opens in February–March next year and is processed in two stages: an initial application review and, if accepted, a subsequent grant stage. She said the grant typically requires a 50% match, but Ocean Shores qualifies for a reduced 30% match, which the board said translates to $450,000 the city council would need to approve.

Becky Leach, the project manager, and Tim, the grant manager, have been discussing the application and the city must ensure matching funds are available if it proceeds. Board members emphasized the application is complex and requires detailed preparation; Kristen said the board must have "all of our ducks in a row." Kristen said the mayor already approved seeking the grant and that the next step is to secure council approval for the $450,000 match.

Board members also discussed eligibility for a further reduced match (10%) for municipalities that qualify based on socioeconomic indicators; Kristen said North Bay Park is near a lower-income area but she did not think it qualified for the lower 10% match without confirmation from the RCO grant manager. Kristen said Tim would contact the grant manager to confirm whether the city qualifies for a smaller match.

Board members said they will present the parks board's work and priorities to city council on Aug. 26, including the youth facilities grant as a priority for North Bay Park. No formal council approval occurred at the parks board meeting; decisions about committing matching funds remain with city council.