King County Flood Control District recently awarded River Park Townhomes Homeowners’ Association in Bothell a flood reduction grant — designed specifically for small-to medium projects to alleviate local flooding problems — in the amount of $18,000.

In heavy rains, River Park’s backyard bioswale that runs parallel to the Sammamish River would usually overflow, causing extensive erosion of the property’s sloping riverbank. According to a press release, The HOA applied for a grant to construct a retaining wall as members did not want to see their backyard slide further.

With the completion of River Park’s redesigned bioswale and the newly constructed retaining wall, along a section of its land, funded by the grant, the HOA can now focus on the next steps in its planned shoreline restoration, the release states. The stone retaining wall, built on stable native soil, is situated between the bioswale and the river. Coupled with the regrading and improved design of the bioswale, it is proving effective at preventing runoff and erosion, according to the release. The King County grant funded the majority of this project.

Additional criteria for the grant included improving water quality of adjacent bodies of water. According to the release, the HOA residents worried about the degradation of the Sammamish water, especially because it is adjacent to the newly established Wayne/Sammamish Regional Park. River Park Townhomes’ HOA is situated on about 550 feet of shoreline directly across from Blythe Park at 9800 N.E. Riverbend Dr.

“It would have taken several more years of increased savings for the community to have funded this project ourselves,” said HOA president Michael Barrat “We are incredibly grateful to King County for designing grants for comparatively small projects that make a big difference.”