While the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy will fund nine different projects in West Seattle, more funding could still be used toward additional projects in the neighborhood.

The levy includes a $15 million opportunity fund, which will be used to fund community initiated projects across the city, such as: purchasing new park land; developing a park, trail or garden; or improving an existing park, trail or garden.

Any individual or community group can nominate a potential project for these funds, and many already have.

Each project will be considered by the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee, who will then make recommendations to the Seattle City Council on which projects should get funding.

As Donald Harris, acquisition manager for Seattle Parks and Recreation, said, “it is a competitive process.” Each proposal will be evaluated based on these criteria:

- Did the project undergo public review or is it consistent with an approved plan, such as a neighborhood plan?

- Does the project address a park or open space deficiency or underserved community?

- Is the project in an area experiencing growth, particularly an urban village or urban center?

- Does the project address an immediate health or safety problem, or take advantage of an opportunity that would otherwise be lost?

- Does the project contribute to solving major challenges facing our community, such as climate change, the health of our waterways, or growth management?

- Does the project have the potential to leverage other resources from other public agencies, public, private or philanthropic partners, and/or in-kind contributions of time and energy from private citizens?

- Does the project result in significantly higher operating costs for the city?

- Does the project demonstrate new and creative methods to meet the community's needs for parks and green spaces?

- Does the project demonstrate a high degree of neighborhood involvement and support?

Projects will be selected and funds distributed next year. To nominate a potential project, please contact Harris at (206) 684-8018 or donald.harris@seattle.gov.

The 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy was approved by voters in November. It will distribute $146 million during the next six years.