The Parks and Recreation division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, is now accepting applications from qualified groups that partner with a public agency, such as a school district or city parks department, to develop or renovate sports facilities.

Now entering its 20th year, the youth sports facilities grants program has awarded $12 million in grants for fields and parks in many communities. For the past two decades, the program has worked with community partners to renovate or build hundreds of public sports amenities in neighborhoods across the county at minimal taxpayer expense.

“Youth sports facility grants are a good deal for taxpayers and a great deal for the youth of King County,” said King County Council member Larry Phillips, who co-authored the original YSFG Program legislation in 1993. “They draw matching investments from communities for recreation and play areas, create livable neighborhoods, and give kids opportunities to be active.”

The YSFG Program provides matching grant funds ranging from $5,000 to $75,000. Past grants have been awarded for athletic fields, skate parks, playgrounds, sport courts, and rowing facilities, among others.

Applications for YSFG grants will be accepted until June 21., with letters of intent due May 3. For an application packet, visit www.kingcounty.gov/parks and click on the YSFG link.

More information is available by contacting Butch Lovelace, program manager, at 206-263-6267 or email at butch.lovelace@kingcounty.gov.

The program is funded and sustained through a quarter of 1 percent of car rental taxes. The program also receives $25,000 annually from the YSFG endowment established with the sale of a county building.