THRIVE OUTSIDE SEATTLE

The Thrive Outside Seattle Community, led by the King County Play Equity Coalition is bringing together regional community partners made up of nonprofits, for profits, government entities, and other networks to collectively identify strategies for equitable access to the outdoor space as well as strengthen existing outdoor-oriented programs. The region is unique in its proximity to mountains and water that encourage outdoor recreation and active lifestyles, but for youth, particularly youth of color and low-income youth, finding ways to get to the mountains is a challenge. Seattle has the opportunity to take action and provide more equitable access to and higher quality of recreation opportunities for all youth. The aim for Thrive Outside Seattle is to build upon existing networks and programs to create an active, dynamic, representative action team that centers the voices and expertise of BIPOC leaders and organizations. The goal is to remove barriers and increase participation in the outdoors for youth and families of color.

Key Focus Areas:

Cross-sector collaborations, youth and BIPOC-leadership, urban to nature pathways

Backbone Organization:

King County Play Equity Coalition

Steering Committee Partners:

Washington Trails Association, the Nature Project, Y.E.T.I., the Service Board, Sweetlines

Community Partners:

African Housing and Community Development, African Sport Federation , Afroswimmers, Associated Recreation Council, Bike Works, Braided Seeds, Cascade Bicycle Club, Chill Foundation, City of Bellevue, City of Burien, Find Your Peak Sports, First Five Years and Beyond, Friends of Pathways Park, Girls on the Run, Khmer Community of Seattle King County, King County Parks Department, King County Public Health, Liberated Health and Wellness, Oshun Swim School, Outdoor Childhood Puget Sound, Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Housing Authority, Seattle Parks and Rec, Seattle Sake Paddle Club, SOS Outreach, Splash Forward, Sweetlines, Swim Seattle, The Nature Project, the Service Board, Trust for Public Lands, Wakuliima USA, Washington Recreation and Conservation Office, Washington State Parks, Washington Trails Association, YETI, YMCA, YMCA Bold and Gold