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Federal Way councilors press for funding plan for inclusive playgrounds while approving Connor Park equipment
Summary
Committee accepted Connor Park's new playground and spent extended time discussing an ‘all-abilities’ inclusive playground (estimated over $1 million), funding constraints (decline in REIT allocations) and options including fundraising, corporate donors, and prioritization in the next budget cycle.
The committee forwarded final acceptance of new playground equipment at Connor Park to the Jan. 20 consent agenda and held an extended policy discussion about funding and prioritizing an all-abilities (inclusive) playground across the city.
Parks staff told the committee that the Connor Park installation by Cascade Mini Excavating Inc. is complete and recommended acceptance; the installation cost was reported as $28,775.42 with total project costs (equipment, concrete, surfacing) near $1.55–$1.58 million. The committee moved the acceptance to the consent agenda and approved it unanimously.
Council members used the Connor Park discussion to press staff on the longer-term goal of an all-abilities playground. Parks staff and councilors said the city has 20 playgrounds with a 20-year planned lifecycle, meaning ideally one playground would be replaced each year, but funding is constrained because REIT (Real Estate Excise Tax) allocations have been down for multiple years. Staff said an inclusive playground could cost more than $1,000,000 for equipment alone, and site amenities and improvements would add to the total.
Council and staff discussed options: adding a $200,000 design allocation to the next budget cycle to produce construction-ready documents; pursuing corporate donors and manufacturer partnerships; coordinating fundraising efforts (service clubs, hospitals, school district); and using King County levy or grant funds when eligible. Parks staff committed to adding fundraising research to the Parks Commission work plan and return with a priority list at the next parks committee meeting.
The committee’s conversation made clear that building an all-abilities playground will require multi-source funding and explicit prioritization in the city’s capital plan.
