King County’s “green curtain” received a boost recently from an anonymous donation of $392,000 to be used only for the purchasing open space.

A philanthropist willed the anonymous gift of $392,000 to Seattle Foundation to secure park lands in King County. Seattle Foundation turned to Forterra, which worked with King County, to help identify locations that would fulfill the donor’s wish of saving open spaces for the public to enjoy.

“Supporting and preserving our region’s open spaces benefits our communities and natural areas, said Council Vice-Chair Reagan Dunn, who represents Council District 9. “I am pleased this generous donation will be used to acquire land around Soos Creek and Spring Lake and Lake Desire Park.”

The bequest was formalized and celebrated at a King County Council meeting Aug. 15.

King County Code allows the County’s Parks and Recreation Division to solicit gifts, but requires that gifts of $50,000 or more must be approved by the council by motion. The adopted motion authorizes the Executive to accept a donation of $392,000 from Forterra for the purpose of acquiring the properties.

The three properties that will be purchased with this donation have been identified as critical preservation and habitat areas and will add to the county’s network of open spaces and trails. Two of the properties to be purchased will add to existing public lands in the Spring Lake/Lake Desire Park bordering the unincorporated community of Fairwood. The third will add to the open space network along Soos Creek near Covington.