Back in June, we noted that the lower Woodland Park mud-pits fields were getting a facelift, to the tune of $5 million. Well, the work is done and it’s time to celebrate:
Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Green Lake community and sportsfield users are celebrating the renovated Lower Woodland Park fields #2 & #7 on Saturday, December 5, 2009 from 9 – 11 a.m. The event will include a special soccer clinic and games hosted by current Major League Soccer players and professional trainers, and a ribbon cutting ceremony. The fields’ inauguration is co-sponsored by Seattle Youth Soccer Association and Woodland Soccer Club.
The fields now have new synthetic cricket pitch with markings for lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee and soccer. As one of Mayor Nickels Seattle Jobs Forward projects, these two fields were planned, designed and constructed in less than one year.
“The local sports communities, and especially our youth soccer association, have been working hard for many years to get these fields renovated and into great playing condition,” said Ed D’Alessandro, Executive Director of Seattle Youth Soccer Association. “We are happy with the quick construction time and excited to have them back in play.”
The Seattle voters approved the Parks and Green Spaces Levy in November 2008 and this Levy provided the funding for the renovation. The original Olmsted design included playfields that have been a vital part of Woodland Park throughout its history.
Just played on the new fields a couple days ago and they are great. Waaaay better than the dirt pits with goals they replaced. Glad to have these wonderful fields in the hood but $5 million for two synthetic soccer fields? Wow.