The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency that manages grant programs to create outdoor recreation opportunities, protect the best of the state’s wildlife habitat and working farms and forests, and help return salmon and orcas from near extinction.
The Youth Athletic Facilities program aims to support the acquisition, development, or renovation of outdoor athletic facilities targeting youth up to the age of 18. It focuses on a variety of facilities including ball fields, courts, swimming pools, mountain bike tracks, and skate parks. While primarily aimed at youth, the program encourages designing facilities that are inclusive of all ages and can support multiple activities. The grant specifically does not support playgrounds, tot lots, vacant lots, open fields, or spaces used for non-athletic play. Examples of projects funded include the addition of lights for night games, conversion of underused courts to ones that meet current demands, installation of artificial surfaces for extended use, and expansion of facilities to serve a broader community purpose.