In partnership with King County Parks, the Ravensdale Park Foundation (RPF) and the City of Maple Valley hosted a groundbreaking ceremony of the second phase of the Ravensdale Park redevelopment on Tuesday, May 20.

The first phase of work has been completed and includes a new indoor baseball training facility, a new synthetic infield for the baseball field, and a new synthetic soccer field.

Phase two work includes two new lit multi-sport synthetic fields, restrooms, a parking lot, maintenance building and a community meadow – all of which is expected to be completed by early this fall.

The event featured comments from King County Council member Reagan Dunn, Maple Valley Mayor Bill Allison, Washington State Senator Joe Fain, Washington State Representative Chad Magendanz and Ravensdale Park Foundation board member Rob Nist.

“Expanding Ravensdale Park is a major step forward in increasing recreational opportunities for children and families in Southeast King County,” said Councilmember Dunn, who represents the unincorporated community of Ravensdale on the County Council. “I want to thank everyone with the Ravensdale Park Foundation, King County Parks, the City of Maple Valley and our representatives in Olympia for making this day possible.”

“Today is an instrumental day for the citizens of Maple Valley in addressing the lack of sports fields in our community,” said Mayor Allison. “The Maple Valley City Council overwhelmingly supports this collaborative project and is glad to contribute $2 million to see it built.”

“Breaking ground on this park is the result of a great deal of work by community members who had a vision to improve our region and are making it happen,” said Sen. Fain (R-Auburn), who secured a $650,000 grant for the park in the state’s 2013 capital budget. “Providing opportunities for families to recreate is vitally important to this growing area. I cannot wait to see the incredible community asset this park will be for many years.”

“Projects like the Ravensdale Park are a great example of public and private stakeholders coming together to build better communities,” said Rep. Magendanz (R-Issaquah). “We were in a unique position last session to enhance our parks system to create safe places for kids to play and engage in competitive sports, and I was happy to support their efforts.”

King County Parks’ Community Partnerships and Grants Program and the City of Maple Valley are each providing $2 million in funding toward the project, in addition to more than $1 million in funds, in-kind services and other resources provided by the RPF.