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King County leaders announced a proposal Tuesday for a new parks levy that, if approved by voters, would total more than $1.5 billion of tax revenue over the next six years.

The levy would fund parks, trails and more than 32,000 acres of 鈥渙pen space鈥� from 2026 to 2031, according to the county.

The proposal would increase the average King County homeowner鈥檚 property tax by an estimated $3.44 per month to a total of $17.18, King County Executive Dow Constantine鈥檚 office said.

鈥淲e will increase our capacity to keep parks and trails clean, safe and open,鈥� Constantine said at a press conference from the Pathways Park in Seattle. 鈥淲e will enhance ballfields and playgrounds, build skyways, First Community Center, upgrade Marymoor Park in Redmond and the aquatic center in Federal Way.鈥�

The billion-dollar estimate in generated revenue is about an 85% increase from the previously passed $810 million levy, which was passed in 2019 and is set to expire at the end of 2024. If approved by voters in August, the new levy would set the rate at 24 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. The rate from the previous levy was $18.32 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Other news: How much will new Seattle Transportation Levy cost homeowners?

Why is more money needed for King County parks?

Constantine told 成人X站 Newsradio the increase is due to several factors, including inflation, rising population in the county, high housing prices and planned expansions to the parks system.

鈥淧articularly rising land costs,鈥� he clarified. 鈥淏ut it鈥檚 also our need to provide more opportunities for the people who live here. The park we鈥檙e in today is a park that is accessible to all 鈥� that is something that did not exist when I was a kid growing up in Seattle.鈥�

He emphasized the need to implement more accessibility features, pitching the need to protect the county鈥檚 greenspace.

鈥淲ith more people moving here, with more money flowing in to develop more property 鈥� all of which is critical — we have to set aside those lands, or they will be lost for all time,鈥� he said.

Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell addressed the crowd at Pathways Park, echoing the need to include ways for disabled people to enjoy the region鈥檚 parks and trails.

鈥淎s the executive noticed, here in Seattle, here in King County, we鈥檙e not afraid to use words like inclusivity,鈥� Harrell said in what could be a jab at the White House after President Donald Trump鈥檚 anti-DEI executive order.

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Sam Campbell is a reporter, editor and anchor at 成人X站 Newsradio. You can read more of Sam鈥檚 stories聽here. Follow Sam on聽, or聽email him here.