Engaging Local Youth
Dear Neighbor,
We need to be investing in the next generation in order to build a better future. This means investing money in youth programs, as well as investing our time.
I recently visited with Teens for Tukwila—a teen group working out of Foster High School. These amazing young people are focused on helping other youth in Tukwila get engaged in service, advocacy and leadership. Together, we strategized solutions to some of their most pressing concerns and discussed my role as their King County Councilmember and the role of County government.
As part of our Best Starts for Kids program, King County is providing $12 million to organizations that support young people through youth leadership and engagement opportunities, mentoring, positive identity, and healthy and safe relationships. Our human services department recently opened the application process for organizations interested in competing for this funding. More information can be found at: Youth Development RFP.
Progress on the Lake to Sound Trail
Southwest King County deserves access to a trail system that connects our community with the regional trail system in other parts of the county. Last Wednesday, I had the pleasure of speaking at the groundbreaking for the latest segment of the Lake to Sound Trail. The Lake to Sound Trail will eventually connect Puget Sound (at Des Moines Beach Park) with Lake Washington.
This particular new section will run south along Des Moines Memorial Drive from South Normandy Road to 200th Street in SeaTac. It will connect the southernmost stretch of Lake to Sound Trail that ends at Puget Sound to the completed section that runs along the western edge of SeaTac Airport, providing convenient access to the Tukwila light rail station.
When complete, Lake to Sound Trail will connect to other King County regional trails, including the Interurban Trail, Green River Trail, Cedar River Trail, and Eastrail, the emerging north-south spine of the Central Puget Sound regional trail network known as Leafline.
The new trail segment will be a paved 12-foot-wide trail with 2-foot-wide soft surface shoulders on each side, native vegetation landscaping, and restored habitats.
Sound Transit Community Oversight Panel Seeking Volunteers
Independent citizen oversight can improve transparency and accountability in government. To this end, Sound Transit is currently looking for two volunteers from South King County to serve on the Sound Transit Community Oversight Panel (COP).
This fifteen member volunteer panel independently monitors Sound Transit to make sure it meets its commitments to build and operate our regional bus, light rail and commuter rail transit system. Sound Transit strives to recruit volunteers with a variety of backgrounds, interests and professional expertise. Panel members serve three-year terms.
The panel members familiarize themselves with Sound Transit actions and plans, review programs, ask hard questions and report findings back to the Sound Transit Board of Directors. Sound Transit staff regularly brief the panel on all aspects of planning, construction and operations.
Individuals who have skill, experience or insights into any of the following areas and care about the direction of the biggest transit investment program in the nation should consider applying:
- Community engagement activities
- Project planning
- Budgeting and financial planning
- Project schedule management
- Performance audits
- Social justice and equity efforts
- Rider Experience
Members must live or work in the Sound Transit District and commit to attending one meeting a month either in person or virtually from 5:30 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month.
To Apply
Submit an application online or mail/email a completed application and a resume to Kent Keel, Sound Transit Board Chair, 401 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA 98104-2826; or emailtheboard@soundtransit.org.
Land Conservation in the Green Duwamish Watershed
Smart investments by King County in parks and open space are improving the environment and quality of life in South King County. On Friday, I joined local city councilmembers, tribal leaders, and county staff on a tour of parks and open spaces in our local Green-Duwamish watershed. Each of the sites I toured were purchased as part of the King County Land Conservation Initiative.
The Land Conservation Initiative (LCI) is a regional collaboration between King County, cities, businesses, farmers, environmental organizations and others to preserve our last, most important natural lands and urban green spaces over the next 30 years. The program is taking accelerated actions to address rapidly shrinking open spaces and climbing land prices—to save money in the long run while protecting many of these lands before they are lost forever.
One site I visited was the Southcenter Office Park Revegetation Partnership project. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe identified this urban stretch of the Green River as having a high need for tree shade. The City of Tukwila worked with the private property owner to restore nearly 1,000 feet of shoreline. County funding through the Land Conservation Initiative made this permanent protection and restoration project possible. Funding was also provided by the City of Tukwila, the Rose Foundation, and in-kind donations from the property owner.
The other local site I visited was Midway Park in Des Moines. The Land Conservation Initiative provided funds to the City of Des Moines to expand this park—which is the only public green space available in the Pacific Ridge neighborhood where many residents face economic challenges and health disparities. Before expansion, the park was critically undersized to accommodate the 800 new units of affordable housing recently built nearby. The project also protects tree canopy near the area recently cleared for light rail construction.
Huge thanks to our tribal, city, and private partners who enable us to conserve these important natural areas.
Youth Funding Available for Organizations
The King County Best Starts for Kids program partners with non-profit community organizations, schools and school districts, tribes and tribal organizations, and other government agencies to support the health and well-being of communities across King County.
If you work for or know about an organization doing good work in our community, be sure to check out the funding calendar. and available resources.
To learn more about the current competitive funding opportunities available and eligibility, visit: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/community-human-services/initiatives/best-starts-for-kids/programs.aspx
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