This page provides examples of interlocal agreements (ILAs) between local governments in Washington State related to park and recreation facilities and services.

It is part of MRSC's series on Interlocal Cooperation.

Overview

Interlocal cooperation is an effective way for local governments to respond to recreational needs. Cooperative efforts can eliminate unnecessary duplication of services, reduce overall park and recreation costs, and can more effectively meet the educational, recreational, and leisure time needs of a region.

Examples of General Statements of Cooperation

• Cheney/Medical Lake/Airway Heights Interlocal Cooperation Agreement (2012) – Collaboration to provide the West Plains with combined recreational opportunities
• Lynden/Lynden Regional Parks and Recreation District Interlocal Agreement (2010) – Lynden is within the boundaries of the Lynden Regional Parks and Recreation District. Collaboration to work together toward common objectives and avoid duplicative effort and expense
• Seattle School District No. 1/Seattle Parks and Recreation Agreement for the Joint Use of Facilities (2010) – See preamble and vision statement
• Tacoma/Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma Interlocal Agreement (2008) – Park District maintains and operates certain parks and facilities owned by the City

Examples of Joint Acquisition, Development and/or Operation of Facilities

• Bellevue/King County Ballfields Interlocal Agreement (2009) – For the joint development and cooperative use of ballfields at Marymoor Park
• Edmonds/Lynnwood/Snohomish County/Edmonds School District No. 15 Playfield Development and Operation Agreement (1985-2024) – 40 year contract for the development and operation of the Meadowdale Playfield located in Edmonds School District No. 15
• Snohomish County/Arlington Agreement (2018) – For the joint operation and maintenance of Twin Rivers Park
• Swimming Pools - See also our List of Metropolitan Park Districts for other acquisition and joint operation information
  • Clarkston/Asotin County Interlocal Agreement (2010) – For the transfer of funds from the City to the County for maintenance and operations costs of the Asotin County Family Aquatic Center
  • Northshore Aquatics Needs Analysis and Location Study (2008), Northshore Park and Recreation Service Area including Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, and Northshore School District

Examples of Joint Use of Facilities

• Bellevue School District No. 405/Bellevue Interlocal Agreement (2003-2023) – For field scheduling and joint use of District athletic fields during non-school times
• Fife/Fife School District Interlocal Facility Use Agreement (2015) – For the use of the City's Swim Center by the School District
• Fife/Puyallup Interlocal Agreement (2003) – For reciprocal use of recreational facilities
• Highline School District No. 401/Burien/Des Moines/NormandyPark/SeaTac Interlocal Agreement (2014) – For access and shared use privileges to certain facilities in the cities, including parks, recreation areas, and meeting spaces
• Lake Washington School District/Kirkland Interlocal Agreement (2009) – Covers City's and District's development, maintenance, scheduling, and use of both parties' athletic fields and facilities, located within the City of Kirkland and the proposed annexation area
• Lynwood/Edmonds School District No. 15 Aquatic Facilities Interlocal Agreement (2011) – School District rents aquatic facilities from the City
• Moses Lake/Moses Lake School District No. 161 Agreement (2018) – For the joint use of facilities and streamlining the process for reserving facilities
• Prosser/Prosser School District Interlocal Agreement (2011) – For use of City's competition swimming pool and old bathhouse
• Renton/Renton School District No. 403 Agreement (2010) – For use of the District's Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center free of charge, whenever deemed practicable by the District, for the City to conduct cultural arts programs, public assemblies, and special events
• Seattle School District No. 1/Seattle Parks and Recreation Agreement (2010) – For the joint use of facilities
• Sedro-Woolley/Sedro-Wooley School District No. 101 Interlocal Agreement (2008) – For the shared use of facilities on an as-needed and as-approved basis
• Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Interlocal Agreement (2013) – For access to recreation services and facilities

Examples of Joint Programs

• Airway Heights/Cheney/Medical Lake Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement (2012) – For the purpose of collaborating to provide combined recreational opportunities
• Peninsula School District/Gig Harbor/Pierce County Interlocal Agreement (2003) – To form a joint board for intergovernmental cooperation to provide efficient, cost-effective recreation service
• Spokane Valley/Spokane/Spokane Parks and Recreation/Spokane County Interlocal Agreement (2010) – To jointly offer certain recreational program classes
• Sumner School District/Bonney Lake/Sumner Interlocal Agreement (2013) – For the creation and operation of a joint recreation program
• Vancouver/Clark County Interlocal Agreement (2008) – For the operation of a consolidated parks department designated as the Vancouver-Clark County Parks and Recreation Department under the supervision of the city