King County dedicates new ballfield park near Federal Way

King County Executive Ron Sims, King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer and ballplayers from Steel Lake Little League today dedicated King County's newest ballfield complex, South King County Ballfields Park east of Federal Way. The new park includes four baseball fields. "This new complex will help alleviate the ballfield shortage in the South King County area, but we know there's more work to be done," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "Through my 101 Ballfields Initiative, we're going to keep making more ballfields available as soon as possible. As of this month, we're almost half way through my plan to construct or rehabilitate 101 ballfields around the county by 2003." "South King County is in great need for additional recreation areas," commented von Reichbauer, the King County Councilmember from Federal Way, Des Moines, Algona, Milton, and outlying areas. "Aside from providing thousands of youth with an opportunity to showcase their baseball and softball talents, this park will furnish the community a great recreational resource for citizens of all ages." South King County Ballfields Park features four little league baseball fields, a trail around the perimeter of the park, and parking. The baseball fields include underground drainage systems to limit down time and maximize use during rainy seasons, irrigation, dugouts, and landscaping. The King County Park System has already begun a second phase of improvements at South King County Ballfields Park. This phase includes a regulation-sized baseball field, restrooms, children's play area with play equipment, picnic shelter, and additional parking. This phase is expected to be complete in 2000. South King County Ballfields Park is being constructed for the King County Park System by the King County Department of Construction and Facilities Management.

Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, Executive Sims, Steel Lake Little League's Mary Stanfill and the Mariner Moose were on hand to celebrate the completion of the South King County Ballfields Parks in Federal Way.

Updated: June 16, 1999