WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County is receiving over $1 million in state funding to upgrade a school’s football field, install a new connector for parks and more.

The state Recreation and Conservation Office announced on Wednesday that it’s awarding more than $67 million in grants across the state.

Whatcom County received roughly $1.5 million for six separate projects.

The county’s Parks and Recreation Department received the largest grant to reimburse it for buying nearly 40 acres of land near Acme called the Carrasco property.

The land was going to be sold to a private buyer before the county bought it in 2023 to have it serve as a future trailhead that will link to other county parks, including Nesset Farm and the South Fork Park regional park complex.

“This investment in our communities is critical,” said Megan Duffy, director of the Recreation and Conservation Office. “It provides more spaces for people to enjoy the outdoors and helps protect the natural environments that make our state unique.”

Three other grants went to the Mount Baker Ranger District to add staff, buy equipment and improve trails.

The Nooksack Valley School District also received funds to convert its athletics field from grass to artificial turf.