Friends of Athletic Fields: Issues

Working through the City's budget process, FAF had a hand in gettting City Council to reconsider adult field fee increases proposed by former Mayor Nickels and DPR. The proposed fee change (going from $50 to $65/hour for adult play - only) would have made for increases two years in a row (which is counter to City policy) with a 30% increase above last year's 25% increase. Thanks for submitting your comments - it makes a difference when we speak with a larger voice. http://www.seattle.gov/council/budget/default.htm

[Previous budget discussion: Fields users understand that Seattle Parks needs budget to maintain the athletic fields and parks facilities. We contribute by paying fees for what we use and can anticipate that fees will go up over time. What we cannot support are fees that are increased by huge amounts (30% proposed for 2010, 25% in 2009) especially two years in a row, which is counter to City policy of raising fees only once per biennial budget cycle. Leagues and athletes need to be able to plan ahead and adjust their finances to handle these increases. It should be fair to ask for the following:

FAF has done it's research and regional fees for adult play average $54/hour not the $67/hour that Seattle Parks uses for justifying its increase. They had three data points using two of the highest local rates and the rate for a private facility in establishing their "local" rate. FAF looked at parks throughout the region (14 different districts), which is a much better measure of the going rental rates. Let's keep field fees reasonable and within reach of all community members.]

The General Election for Washington voters is coming up November 3, 2009. FAF asked Mayoral and Seattle City Council candidates for responses to our sportsfield questionnaire to gain some insights into their views on issues of concern to athletes, sports leagues, parents, and parks supporters. See Seattle General Election Candidate Questionnaire for the responses received to date.

Seattle Parks conducted a public meeting on April 21, 2009 at Beacon Hill Library with an update on the Phase 1 reservoir lid project (2000 ProParks funded) and asking for community input on priorities for Phase 2 (2008 Parks & Green Spaces Levy funded). DPR withdrew support for synthetic turf on the lid last year given that no lights will be installed on these athletic fields - and that apparently will not be changing. Phase 2 offers potential improvements to the Jefferson Playfield site ($1.2-1.4 million) down by Mercer Middle School.

The April 21st public meeting was a lively affair that overflowed the community room at Beacon Hill Library. Parks provided an update on the Phase 1 reservoir lid project (2000 ProParks funded) and asked for community input on Phase 2 (2008 Parks & Green Spaces Levy funded). Last year, DPR withdrew support for installing synthetic turf on the lid given that no lights are included in the design. That compromise was made during the previous public process in the interests of preserving the wonderful views of the Olympics and downtown Seattle from the top of Beacon Hill. Synthetic turf had been promoted during the Phase 1 public process given the concerns with natural grass holding up to more intensive use for active recreation on top of the reservoir lid. Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) restricts the amount of water and fertilizer that can be applied on the top of the reservoir lid, which may have a significant impact on how well natural grass thrives on the lid. SPU also restricts what other structures or features can be installed on top given concerns with structural loads on the reservoir lid. Apparently this factor had some bearing in the deletion of the running track and baseball backstop that had been part of the Phase 1 project (see schematic design for Jefferson Park Phase 1). Phase 1 now includes a large natural grass area over most of the lid called the Sports Meadow that will be provided with an automatic irrigation system. Subsurface drainage relies on the system SPU installed to convey water off the top of the reservoir. Parks mentioned that the Sports Meadow may have somewhat limited scheduling (6-7 months/year) and may only be scheduled for youth play depending on how well the grass holds up.

In the interests of providing for more active recreation on Beacon Hill, Parks is now offering to improve the existing Jefferson Playfield down by Mercer Middle School. This project, with proposed funding at $1.2-1.4 million, would be part of the Phase 2 project(s) funded through the new Parks & Green Spaces Levy. During the pubic meeting, Parks asked attendees to submit their priorities for a whole host of projects that could be completed as part of Phase 2. See the Jefferson Park Phase 2 webpage for more information on the proposed projects.

The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department reduced spending for athletic fields projects in the 2009/2014 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) in recognition of the economic downturn and reduction in REET revenues. Fortunately, additional funding will be available for capital projects through the new Parks & Green Spaces Levy that passed in November. The following are the proposed CIP projects in the current plan:

When the economy improves, the Parks Dept will need to be reminded of improvements needed at numerous athletic fields sites. As you can see, the Parks Dept was only planning to fund one "new" project in 2009 with no construction in 2010. Fortunately, the new 2008 Parks Levy will provide funding for additional projects. Besides the four synthetic field projects, there is a $15 million Opportunity Fund that can provide funding for community-based projects. Check out the Parks Levy webpage for more info: Seattle Parks Levy Opportunity Fund.

Feel free to encourage Seattle government decision-makers any time to support funding of these important improvements to the Parks' fields inventory that will result in:

- increased field availability to accommodate growing numbers of youth and adult athletes and new sports leagues (e.g., ultimate, lacrosse)

- more durable fields with even playing surface, no puddles in the winter, no dust in the summer, and no potholes!

- reduced operations and maintenance costs: no mowing, watering, chemical fertilizer or herbicides like grass; no daily dragging or relining like sand

- improved lighting systems with more even field coverage and reduced glare and spill lighting impacts on neighbors

These significant improvements are intended to provide many additional hours of field time that are desperately needed by sports groups and casual athletes around the city. The proposed improvements will provide high quality field surfaces that can be played on throughout the year especially during periods that natural grass is off limits or too wet to play on. The existing lighting systems at the vast majority of Parks' playfields are approaching 30 years old. These systems rely on outdated light fixtures, provide poor field coverage, and produce objectionable glare. Modern, shielded lighting systems can be designed to provide field lighting where it's wanted while minimizing glare and spill. These improvements will be beneficial to field users and neighbors alike.