LYNNWOOD – The city now has more than lawn mowers and staff to maintain its parks.
Recently, a nonprofit parks foundation was begun to pick up where the city budget has left off.
| For more information on how you can support Lynnwood’s new parks foundation call Scott Minnig at 425-775-7860. |
It all goes back to one of the major goals of the city, maintaining quality of life, said Lynnwood City Council President Loren Simmonds, who is also one of the five new parks foundation board members.
“A key to maintaining a quality of life here in Lynnwood is our parks, recreation and open space areas,” he said. “And it’s becoming more and more difficult to maintain the quality we want because of scarcity of space and the high cost of property – not to mention, the cost of maintaining play equipment and the grounds.”
So the foundation will be used as another tool the city can use to raise money for parks and recreation programs.
“This is one reason I have been an advocate of this cause,” Simmonds said. “It could have a positive long-term impact.”
Having a foundation opens the city up to new revenue sources, such as going after grants or receiving gifts from individuals who have an interest in parks and recreation, said Lynnwood parks and recreation director Craig Larsen, who is also president of the foundation board.
For example, the foundation is trying to acquire grants for its parks, such as one from Starbucks, Larsen said.
Starbucks has committed to spending $1 million on parks in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties and will fund projects up to $15,000 each as long as there are matched funds, Larsen said.
“They only give money to nonprofits, so this is a good example of what the city is now eligible for,” he said.
Starbucks’ officials wouldn’t comment on any applications, but did acknowledge city, store and school officials have been building a relationship surrounding Lynnwood’s North Neighborhood Park on 44th Avenue West.
While there has been a lot of interest in making improvements to the North Lynnwood Neighborhood Park and including additions to the newer Heritage Park, Larsen said the money from the foundation also could benefit recreation programs, improvement, special events or other similar items.
Larsen said for years Lynnwood parks and recreation officials have batted around the idea of starting a foundation.
“The time had come, so we set it up. It is now ready to take advantage of,” Larsen said.
The foundation is an independent group but works with the city, he said. Folks who contribute have an assurance the money will be used for what they want it used for.
“And they get a tax benefit as well,” Larsen said.
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