More than a half-million dollars will be coming Enumclaw’s way as part of a funding package approved by the King County Council.

The money, earmarked for preservation of 155 acres of timberland east of the city and remodeling of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars hall, was approved during a Feb. 22 council vote. Approval of the spending was announced by Reagan Dunn, who represents the southeast portion of King County on the council.

The county directed $500,000 to provide better access to the White River Forest. The funds will purchase land to add public parking for recreational use, increased natural habitat for wildlife and an additional connection to existing trails in the White River Forest and surrounding Weyerhaeuser lands.

The money stems from a countywide parks levy that was approved by voters in 2014. It is estimated that the levy will generated $66 million during its six-year lifespan.

Additionally, the County Council approved $2,500 for the VFW hall. The money will come from the Conservation Futures Fund which is supported by a countywide property tax.

Since 1967, the VFW building on 244th Avenue Southeast has been use not only by veterans, but by such diverse community groups as the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, the Enumclaw Garden Club, and Plateau Quilters.

The VFW has already started repairing a number of critical safety and structural problems, according to Elbert Reed, secretary/treasurer of Post 1049. The county contribution, he said, will be used to assist in mitigating water and drainage problems, preventing further damage, and renovating a general-purpose room.