Seattle Public Schools is seeking a site for a Lincoln High Athletic Field in or near Wallingford. With several zoning changes to accommodate population growth, it seems crucial that community voices are heard regarding the use of public open space and parks.
Seattle Public Schools is trying to identify a site for a new full sized athletic field for practice by the Lincoln High School football team, soccer, and PE classes for both Lincoln and Hamilton and more. This has become an urgent matter as Memorial Stadium, where Lincoln Football both practices and plays games will be demolished and rebuilt soon. Three location options were proposed for this field at a public meeting held September 19th at the Lincoln auditorium. The Wallingford Playfield is a high contender, being located between Lincoln and Hamilton. Meridian Park and Queen Ann Bowl were the other two proposed locations. Seattle Public Schools is asking for public input. You can download video of this meeting and leave comments for Seattle Public Schools at this link: www.seattleschools.org/lincoln-field
At the September 19th meeting this slide was presented as potential fit plans to put a full-sized athletic field at Wallingford Playfield, one oriented to the south side of the park, the second to the north. The top of the graphic is North, the little arrow in the bottom left corner is pointing North. Richard Bass from Seattle Public Schools Projects and Paige McGehee, project manager from Shiels Obletz Johnsen, both spoke at the September meeting. Mr. Bass stated that in the event the field was placed to the north, the playground would be relocated to the south and if needed, the wading pool as well. Seattle Public Schools would have the field scheduled for school hours and after school practices and Seattle Parks and Rec would schedule the field for hours other than that. It is planned that the field would be synthetic turf with a cork fill, not crumb rubber. Precise LED lights would be added that would turn off at 10pm. Several mature trees would have to be removed and replaced 3 for every one tree removed. Parking and traffic mediation were not discussed at the meeting but are mentioned in the FAQ via the SPS portal. The prospect of utilizing Meridian Park and Queen Anne Bowl were less likely, but one would assume that they are still on the table.
This project will be funded by the Building, Technology, academics Athletics Capital levy (BTA V) that passed in 2022, which is funded by property taxes. These funds cannot be transferred to the operations budget, which is currently facing a significant deficit. Other options suggested at the meeting were a field west of the parking lot at Gas Works Park, and a lid over the parking lot north of Lincoln on school property. One community member present at the September meeting said that the prospect of and funding for a lid over the parking lot had been part of the discussion as Lincoln was being redeveloped. Lincoln reopened in 2019 without a public plan for an athletic field. Assurances were made by Bass and McGehee that at this point no proposal was final.
There are many things to consider, both pro and con. As our city becomes more densely populated, we will need open/park space to keep up with Comp Plan requirements and to support the mental health of those living here. How should the use of public land be determined? Now is the time to express your view to Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Parks and Recreation, elected representatives and beyond. This project needs to move quickly, so time is of the essence for your comments.
Share your thoughts with the Seattle Public Schools at this link www.seattleschools.org/lincoln-field.
A second public meeting will be held in October, that date is yet to be announced.
Contact Seattle Parks and Recreation:
email: [email protected]
Council Representatives:
Maritza Riviera, District 4 Rep. [email protected]
Sara Nelson at Large [email protected]
Tanya Woo at Large [email protected]
Online petition from Facebook:https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save-wallingford-playfield-no-turf?fbclid=IwY2xjawFlaidleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQPOewowdgMGdZvzA5U2qtTiFCxHaUJV3V7hEVE1-qXw7hSG43c2q4kC_w_aem_1Tao21EqXGUrJKMhczkOow#comments
Are there other petitions? Send them to [email protected]
Contact the Seattle Times:
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Columnist Danny Westneat [email protected]