Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is happy to announce the opening of the renovated Brighton Playfield, 6000 39th Ave. S, just north of Aki Kurose Middle School. The new 200,000 sq. ft. synthetic turf multi-sport lighted field accommodates baseball, softball, soccer, Ultimate Frisbee and football. The renovation provides new/upgraded accessible pathways, spectator areas, and better connections to the existing park features.
The project installed fitness equipment near the play area donated by SPR community partner Kaiser Permanente Washington. The equipment and play area will be available for community use as additional phased-in activity is allowed under public health guidelines.
When you visit the renovated field please respect the minimum of 6 feet of separation between people, do not congregate in the park and please stay home if you are feeling sick. The athletic field is open for non-organized groups of 5 people or less. For a list of activities that are open and closed at Seattle Parks and Recreation please visit https://parkways.seattle.gov//2020/05/14/seattle-parks-and-recreation-amenities-whats-open-and-whats-closed/.
The Brighton restroom/comfort station renovation will open in July 2020. SPR is planning a social distant ribbon cutting celebration in late July when the restroom is complete. Please contact Karen O’Connor at karen.oconnor@seattle.gov if you wish to participate.
SPR invested over $7 million in this renovation to provide a year-round sports field for the community. Additional funding was provided by King County Youth Sports Grant, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) Brighton Playfield Grant, Washington State Wildlife and Recreation Program and Local Park Development Grant.
SPR is leading the way to find alternate synthetic turf field design systems/materials and deliver a safe, durable and playable athletic facility and experience. The Brighton Playfield uses a cork infill instead of crumb-rubber. Additionally, we installed a state-of-the-art lighting system that enhances play ability with safe and efficient lighting for field users, and limit light spill from the field edge, greatly reducing glare offsite.
This park project is made possible by the voter-approved Seattle Park District, which provides more than $47 million a year in long-term funding for SPR, including maintenance of parklands and facilities, operation of community centers and recreation programs, and development of new neighborhood parks on previously acquired sites.
Brighton Playfield was covered by the City’s Priority Hire program, which required that contractors hire individuals living in economically distressed communities in Seattle and King County to work 32% of the project hours. Priority Hire creates equitable access to construction training and living-wage employment through worker development and public works investments. For more information on the Priority Hire program, go to www.seattle.gov/priorityhire.
To learn more about the project visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/brighton-playfield-renovation or for more information please contact Jay Rood at jay.rood@seattle.gov or 206-733-9194.