For the first time, neighborhoods in Snohomish County are eligible for Starbucks park grants, the coffee company announced in Seattle this week.
The company pledged $450,000 for parks in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties, and will award 30 grants of $15,000 each.
Everett City Council President Marian Krell and Ardell Brandenburg, the city’s recreation superintendent, said they hope Everett’s neighborhoods will take advantage of the opportunity to improve parks.
“We’re definitely going to be submitting projects, and we’re looking forward to working with our neighborhoods and getting some proposals in,” Brandenburg said.
The city cannot apply for the grants but can collaborate with neighborhood groups to create proposals, Krell said.
Everett has an advantage over some other cities in that it has organized neighborhoods, Krell said. The neighborhoods may be able to win more than one grant, she said.
“When I was director of neighborhoods, parks were one of the best ways to get people involved in their neighborhoods and their community,” Krell said.
The grant requires projects to focus on developing, revitalizing and improving small neighborhood parks, natural areas and urban plazas.
Applications will be available in Starbucks stores beginning Feb. 1 and online at www.starbuckslovesparks.com. Applications are due March 25; the grants will be awarded in June.
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