Seattle Public Schools plans to move all Lincoln High School athletics to Lower Woodland Park. They are proposing to do this by replacing the soccer field at 52nd and Lower Woodland Park with two new fields that can barely be wedged into the existing space, a plan they call "Option A":

• Every side of the new fields will be unsafe as they cut the park off from the neighborhood: Stray balls and families with little kids and dogs are either on the synthetic turf sidelines, in the parking lot, in the way of BMX bike jump users, in the skate park, or up against a fence. Not only will the new football field cram more people into an area that already fills up, it will displace all open space in the area that park users rely on for safe spacing and circulation. The proposed sideline areas are the legal minimum, less than other fields at Seattle Parks, and do not legally allow for fixed objects such as seating. The removal of East/West walking paths and addition of fencing will wall the park off from the recently renovated bathroom and the popular crossing at 52nd street, forcing dog walkers (and poop) onto the synthetic turf.
• Between 7 and 9 large (24"+) historic trees alongside the parking lot will be replaced with synthetic turf: The trees are visible in overhead shots of this Olmsted park from 1936, where they had already been established as part of a continuous line along the Green Lake Way walking path. The trees also serve a vital function, providing shade to the fields and path and buffering the area from Green Lake Way. The removed trees will be replaced by a retaining wall and fence barrier, as the synthetic turf will go right up against the walking path and is several feet higher than the walking path.
• Destroying recently built infrastructure and generating legal risks: The construction of two new fields will require destruction of recently built Soccer Field #2 with its expensive lighting, concrete platforms, and fencing. Destroying recently built infrastructure increases the embodied carbon impact of the project and also the cost. As the design generates the significant adverse impacts noted above it is also likely to meet the standard for multi-year EIS under SEPA, further increasing costs and running the risk that it may never happen.

For more details, you can review Seattle Public School plans here.

12/12 Update: We have a better alternative: Option C!

Option C combines low impact versions of SPS Options A and B for a better Lower Woodland Park Design. Option C ensures Lincoln High School gains a new, safe facility capable of hosting games, complete with a grandstand. It also preserves historic trees lining the Green Lake Way pedestrian path and maintains safe, legal access for all park users, including those with children and dogs. There are two parts to the Option C plan.

Option C Part 1: Soccer Field at Aurora and 50th

• Covers half the space of SPS Option B as there is only soccer, no football and no new parking lot, saving the vast majority of Option B costs and impacts
• Only about 10 damaged trees removed vs 78 trees SPS Option B removes, plus most costly earthwork is avoided and changes to the picnic driving loop are avoided
• Positively activates and reclaims park space by repurposing the gravel lot that was used for construction and is now a security risk, creating a field surrounded by trees
• Utilizes 290 underused parking spots and 3 full sets of bathrooms that are on the West side of the park (170 spots and 1 bathroom in the picnic loop, 120 spots and 2 bathrooms near the horseshoe pits)

Option C Part 2: Football/Soccer Hybrid Field at 52nd and Green Lake Way

• A grandstand is added and the field is extended to a soccer / football hybrid field with wide sideline areas, allowing Lincoln to host games (no game visitors are allowed with SPS Option A)
• Safe spacing for events as the two fields in athletic complex will have space for event visitors and hosts while the new, third field at Aurora and 50th will distribute activity away from the event
• No tree or path removal as all existing uses are maintained and no conflicts between users or vehicle traffic are introduced
• No costly destruction of recently installed lighting, fences, concrete, and synthetic turf as the existing field is extended by repurposing the turf under the new grandstand

Option C and Option A site boundaries are overlaid below, showing how Option C avoids destruction of trees, lighting, and paths:

We believe that Option C is best for public safety, Lincoln High School students, nearby neighbors, and all people who use the park than either Option A or Option B. Far less will be destroyed, there will be far fewer negative impacts, and fewer conflicts between park users will occur. Activation in the park will be distributed to avoid congestion and there will be enhanced amenities for park users, neighbors, and Lincoln students. With this design we believe that Lincoln field construction can move forward quickly:

A few of over 100 comments we have received in favor of Plan C

“I have coached and officiated games at the LW fields for 20+ years, and have seen the current over-use and limited parking and open space around the existing fields evolve into a crisis. Build new fields in Woodland Park – DO NOT put more density / use on the LW complex!!” – Patrick

“The idea that those tremendous, beautiful shade trees lining the east side of lower woodland park be removed to make room for heat-trapping plastic grass makes me so sad… In the sunny months those plastic turfs will be miserable to play in without the adjacent cool shaded air of those trees to bring down the ambient heat.” – Stephen

“Rising 8th grader next year and a neighbor to the school and the parks, this plan finally puts equity and utility at the forefront. Plan C looks like a great win-win solution for all concerned.” – Michael P

“I love the idea of a grandstand on the hybrid football / soccer field… it really adds to the overall feel of the school climate. At a time when many people are feeling more and more isolated and lonely, creating a way for the greater community to participate and join is something that is needed.” – Jon-Erik

“I do not support the renovation of this community space for new astroturf fields. I also have very serious concerns about how this will impact traffic… The school’s activity needs do not trump community safety and other’s enjoyment of the park.” – Maureen

“I already have trouble getting out of my driveway with the current traffic and this would make it worse. I currently deal with people parking blocking my driveway… though I feel this is a waste of taxpayer money if there needs to be another field in Woodland Park please choose option C.” – Margaret

“Revised Option A should be dead on arrival… We need to be conserving our trees and green space. These trees have taken decades to grow and AstroTurf is not green space… why was this planning not done before Lincoln reopened? Seems like another example of poor planning by SPS.” – Neal

“The proposed Option C plan looks to be the best option… I am very excited about the underutilized gravel parking lot being transformed into a soccer field with minimal impact on trees and the park driveway. The ability to have a grandstand… will make Woodland Park a really incredible park!” – Alyssa

"Please consider Option C. As a parent of a soccer loving middle schooler who hopes to play for Lincoln and as an adult who plays in the RATS league, I truly feel like Option C is a solid choice that benefits the community." - Alisa

"Our kids need more playfield space. The fields are utilized past reasonable capacity all the time. Option C would help reclaim a troubled space, lessen traffic and increase fields. What isn't to love?" - Alyssa

"Option A just looks like a bad idea for all the reasons listed. It's squeezing in too much for the space that is there and removing heritage trees which I'm very much opposed to." - Scott

"I can't believe Option A is being considered!! Absolutely ridiculous! This area already has extremely high use and is an integral part of Woodland Park. We need more trees—not more astroturf!!" - Gwen

"Option A would completely decimate lower woodland and is totally inappropriate. The loss of trees, the parking impact, it does not fit!" - Jessica

"I live within the area and am a parent with students at both Lincoln High School & Hamilton Middle School. This Option C proposal makes a lot of sense and I believe may be more cost & value effective. This plan makes better usage of available space, while minimizing negative impacts, and I believe will increase the overall safety of the area. Locating a soccer field that fits within the gravel lot brings regular life to an area of the park that is often under utilized." - Laura