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Seattle Parks and Recreation news and events

Lights to be turned on at athletic fields July 3 and July 4

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Seattle Parks and Recreation will turn on field lighting on ballfields throughout the city on the evening of Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4 to protect the surfaces. The ballfield lights will be turned on at approximately 8:30 p.m. and most will be turned off at either 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., depending on the field.

The lights will be turned on to discourage the use of fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in the city of Seattle and will destroy the artificial turf on the fields or surrounding facilities. The approximate replacement cost for the synthetic surface based on per average full-size field (110,000 square feet) is $1.2 million. All the fields have been renovated in the past several years and benefit field users including players of soccer, football, baseball, Ultimate Frisbee and lacrosse.    

The fields will be monitored by security from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Lights at the following fields will be turned off at 11 p.m.:

  • Bobby Morris at Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave
  • Dahl Playfield, 7700 25th Ave NE
  • Delridge Playfield, 4458 Delridge Way SW
  • Garfield #1, E Cherry St & 23rd Ave
  • Genesee Upper and Lower Playfield, 4316 S Genesee St.
  • Georgetown Playfield, 750 S Homer St.
  • Hiawatha Playfield, 2700 California Ave. SW
  • Interbay Athletic Complex, 3027 17th Ave W
  • Jefferson Playfield, 4165 16th Ave. S
  • Lower Woodland Playfield #2 and #7, 5201 Green Lake Way North
  • Walt Hundley Playfield, 6920 34th Avenue SW
  • Washington Park Playfield, 2500 Lake Washington Blvd. E
  • West Seattle Stadium, 4432 35th Ave. SW

Lights at the following fields will turned off at 10 p.m.:

  • Loyal Heights Playfield, 2101 NW 77th St
  • Mickey Merriam Athletic field complex, Magnuson #5 (Rugby), #6, #7, 7400 Sand Point Way N.E.
  • Miller Playfield, 330 19th Ave. E
  • Brighton Playfield, 6000 39th Ave S.

Lights will be turned off at the following grass fields at 11 p.m.

  • Ballard Playfield, 2644 NW 60th St.
  • Rainier Playfield, 3700 S Alaska St.
  • W Queen Anne Playfield, 150 W Blaine St.

A Trail in Our Woods – The Cheasty Mountain Bike Trail Gains Traction in Southeast Seattle

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By Mike Schwindeller, David Graves, and Todd Burley

A look at a satellite view of Seattle will reveal several long strips of forest that to many are unknown and underappreciated. These linear green spaces exist in part due to the hilly geography of Seattle, as most are on steep slopes that were undevelopable and were eventually deeded to the City or purchased to preserve as a park. Most were logged off and left to revegetate on their own, creating an ecosystem heavy with Big Leaf Maples, native shrubs, and increasingly invasive plants like English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry. Yet the potential long-term legacy of these urban forests is great – with effort.

A picture shows 7 volunteers working in the Cheasty Greenspace removing invasive species with rakes and trimmers. It is an overcast day.

In Southeast Seattle, Cheasty Greenspace is a great example of how a largely unmanaged forest is being restored to create improved habitat and access to the great benefits that nature exposure provides. Starting around 2007, the Friends of Cheasty Greenspace at Mountain View (FCGMV) was formed by Mary DeJong and Andrea Ostrovsky to begin urban forest restoration efforts at this site through the Green Seattle Partnership. After a decade of monthly work parties, these volunteers and others have enrolled 36.7 acres in restoration and are continuing restoration activities in an additional 95 acres! That’s a lot of ivy removed, thousands of native trees and shrubs planted, and tons of garbage removed.

A young boy and girl are walking hand in hand down a gravel path on a sunny day in the woods.

Providing access to this restored forest grew intentionally over time, like one of the Douglas firs that were planted. Cheasty Greenspace – a natural area accessible by light rail, bus, and bike path between the Rainier Valley and Beacon Hill – is located near communities desiring more park access, but it had no official trails or points of entry. In addition to their goal to restore the forest to a healthy condition, FCGMV wanted to provide more access and opportunities to this underused greenspace and build community at the same time. This effort resulted in new trails developed in Cheasty Greenspace at Mountain View, the 10-acre section south of Columbian Way, around 2011-12. The conversations continued, and a new idea stewarded by Joel DeJong of FCGMV gained momentum, resulting in a proposal for a mountain bike and pedestrian trail project.

The Cheasty Mountain Bike/Pedestrian Trail Pilot Project includes both bicycle and pedestrian trails that will weave through the forest to connect multiple access points. Pedestrian trails will connect to the existing trails across Columbian Way. FCGMV and SPR are partnering with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance (EMBA) to design the bike trails to allow for multiple levels of ability and challenge. Remarkably in a place like Seattle that values outdoor recreation, this will be the first mountain bike trail located in a greenspace in the city. With such great transit and bike access, it is expected that this new trail system will draw local mountain bike enthusiasts (and their kids) who may have otherwise driven to the Cascade foothills. It will also offer a family-friendly nature-based recreational opportunity to folks in the neighborhood by providing a four-foot-wide dirt multi-use connector trail from Columbian Way up to Jefferson Park.

A detailed topographical map shows the Cheasty South Loop trail plan. Elevations and trail length among other details are shown.

SPR feels this is a win-win situation, creating opportunity and expanding access to trails and nature, while also being mindful of the ecological importance of our greenspaces. Following multiple environmental studies, the final south loop trail design (0.8 miles total) avoids steep slopes and wetlands to protect sensitive habitats, and vegetation and trail monitoring will be conducted during the three-year pilot by EarthCorps. Once funded, a proposed second phase or “north loop” would include additional pedestrian and mountain bike trails and provide an important link for the Rainier Vista community to Beacon Hill, including to Kimball Elementary School. All of the trails will open up access to this natural area so underserved residents will have the opportunity to walk or bike through the woods and receive the benefits of nature exposure.

A picture of a close up of a purple flower near the forest floor with a small child out of focus in the background.

Construction of the South Loop of the Cheasty Mountain Bike/Pedestrian Trail Pilot Project has just begun and is expected to be ready to explore this fall. So, grab your walking shoes or mountain bike and get ready to meet a new natural area in Seattle. The trails are mellow but challenging, and the experience is free to all. If you’re interested in trying out mountain biking for the first time, BikeWorks (which is just down the street) has a great Earn-a-Bike program for youth, and EMBA can help you learn the basics. See you on the trail!

Lake Washington Blvd Stay Healthy Streets to open on weekends July 4 – September

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) in partnership with Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is excited to bring back the Lake Washington Stay Healthy Streets. Below is the information shared by SDOT last week.

Starting Fourth of July weekend, three (3) miles of Lake Washington Boulevard (from Mt. Baker Park to Seward Park) will open to people walking, rolling, and biking on weekends* and holidays through at least September.  

*For consistency, barricades will be placed each Friday afternoon and removed Monday morning. This also reduces costs in paying staff overtime. On Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends, barricades will be removed the following Tuesday morning.  

Parking lots are open and will be accessible from the nearest cross street (see map). Those driving to homes along the boulevard because they live there, are visiting, or making deliveries are allowed.

Background 

The global pandemic provided an opportunity to experience the city in a different way.  Last year, Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle Parks and Recreation opened three miles of Lake Washington Boulevard all summer to allow for recreation close to home and space to keep six feet apart. This real-time experience engaged hundreds of people who shared their thoughts with us through emails, phone calls, surveys, and even videos (like this one from Anna Zivarts with Disability Rights Washington). 

“As a city, we’re taking what we experienced during COVID-19, considering how to meet our environmental goals, and striving for safer places to walk and bike. What I’ve witnessed on Lake Washington Boulevard is that when such spaces are opened to people of all ages and abilities, they truly transform into a spaces for people. Children, families, and elders fill these spaces as they go for strolls, picnic on the grass, or go swimming in the lake. These spaces are truly valued and they are something that all communities in Seattle should be able to access.” – Councilmember Tammy Morales 

As one would expect, reactions to the change varied. A substantial number of people shared their joy in having an intuitive, flat space, free of traffic safety concerns, and to be outside alongside one of Seattle’s most beautiful parks. We also heard concerns from some residents related to on-street parking pressures (particularly when parking lots were closed last summer), traffic transferring from Lake Washington Boulevard to adjacent streets, and missing a treasured scenic drive – whether for pleasure, lack of ability to walk or bike, or commuting.   

Here’s a sampling of what we heard:  

“I’ve loved seeing families and friends stroll along the boulevard when it’s closed to cars, and it’s been a joy to cycle through without having to worry about traffic.” – Mariko W. 

“With the road being closed, it gives a lot more people the opportunity to come to a nice place that’s safe and just a good place to hang out.” – Jawara O. 

“As a health care worker, I do not always have the luxury of time and sometimes need to drive. The quickest way to drive is along LWB, and after a long stressful day caring for patients, it is an absolutely lovely and relaxing drive home. Even as an avid biker, I prefer it stay open to cars, especially during the week.” – Ben T. 

Striking a balance 

This summer’s approach builds on decades of Bicycle Sundays where, on a typical day, about 5,000 people participate. It expands the lakefront for more use, and supports affordable travel options by making it easier to walk, bike, and roll. It provides space for children under 12 that are not currently eligible for vaccinations to stay active. It’s consistent to help people planning their trips and it maintains vehicle access during typical commute hours.  

We’re balancing access for people with mobility challenges who primarily enjoy the lake when driving and considering equity for those that moved out of the city due to affordability issues and often return to visit relatives and friends in the neighborhood. By keeping parking lots open, people driving from other neighborhoods retain access to the parks. 

We don’t take these decisions lightly as we work toward creating a safer, more sustainable city.


How did we select this option? 

We received 6,700 responses to a poll open from April 23 to May 10 and the top preference was to close three miles of Lake Washington Boulevard all summer (weekends and weekdays). When we broke the data down by people who lived in nearby zip codes and people who identified as BIPOC (black, indigenous, and other people of color), the result was the same. 

In addition to the poll responses, we considered what we learned through listening sessions with people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and from people who live on or near Lake Washington Boulevard. We also considered the hundreds of emails to our project inbox and feedback from a 2020 survey.  

Seattle Department of Transportation and Seattle Parks & Recreation evaluated the options with this weighted criteria:  1. Equity (25%) 
2. Community & Stakeholder Input (25%) 
3. Safety & Health (20%) 
4. Access (20%) 
5. Implementation (10%) 

Balancing those metrics, we’re moving forward with opening three miles of Lake Washington Boulevard on summer weekends and holidays. 

“I am happy to open a longer stretch of Lake Washington Blvd to people for outdoor recreation and active transportation on weekends this summer, and hope that this additional space for healthy activities will allow more people to enjoy and benefit from this street, while also making sure that the full community has access to parking lots and park spaces along the lake,” said SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe. “Earlier this summer I met with a small group of community members from different racial and ethnic backgrounds who have lived in the area for a long time during one of our street openings. This really helped me to understand the importance and history of Lake Washington in the community and how we balance all of the access needs.” 

Important details  

PARKING: Seattle Parks and Recreation parking lots are now open, which should be a big load off the increased parking, driving, and noise on side streets. Based on neighbor input, we’re looking into options such as trash pick up.  

While all parking lots are open, to minimize driving on Lake Washington Boulevard, we’re limiting access to which lot entrances are open. See the map below and follow signs showing where to enter each parking lot.  
 
DATA COLLECTION: We’ll continue collecting data related to possible traffic diversion at S. Genesee S (east of 38th Ave S), S McClellan St (east of 31st Ave S), and Wilson Ave S (northwest of S Lucille St). We’ll also add a counter to collect data for Hunter Blvd S. 

START DATE: The weekend of 6/26, we’ll close the 1-mile stretch between Mt Baker and Genesee parks. We’ll start the 3-mile closure between Mt Baker and Seward Park on 4th of July weekend. 
 
DURATION: Current plans are to have the program run through September. It may extend into October depending on how well it’s used.  

STAN SAYRES: Please take extra caution at the entrance of Stan Sayres Memorial Park where there’s a higher volume of people driving in and out of the parking lot entrance with boats. See our map below for details on where to enter when driving. 

Click here to view to full PDF version of the map.

Please send your comments to StayHealthyStreets@Seattle.gov. Due to the high volume of emails, we cannot always respond to each one individually, but we read and value your input. You can find more info on the program webpage.  

Seattle Parks and Recreation Cooling Centers for Tuesday, June 29, 2021

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will open the following two facilities to help residents stay cool on Tuesday, June 29. These centers have air-conditioning, restrooms, and water available. Community members are welcome to drop by during open hours to get out of the sun and keep cool.  

  • International District/Chinatown Community Center (IDCCC) will be open on Monday, June 28 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Address: 719 8th Ave S, Seattle.
  • The cooling center is operating out of the Garden Room and Belvedere Terrace Room in Bldg 406 at Magnuson Park today, Tuesday, June 29 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please see map for location of Building 406 at Magnuson Park.

Rainier Beach Pool Temporary Closure Due to High Indoor Temperatures

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Due to extreme indoor heat and humidity, Seattle Parks and Recreation closed Rainier Beach Community Center Pool Sunday afternoon, with the closure extending through today, June 28. High pool deck temperatures caused by the humidity and the fresh air system drawing in hot air created unsafe conditions inside. Typically, pool air temperatures are in the mid 80’s. The temperature inside reached 95 degrees yesterday afternoon, which is unsafe and unhealthy for participants. With Monday’s heat expected to break records again, pool conditions will remain unsafe and unhealthy throughout today.

Rainier Beach Pool staff will be redeployed to beaches to further support lifeguarding and rotations for cooling breaks.

Seattle Parks and Recreation Cooling Centers for Monday, June 28, 2021

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will open the following two facilities to help residents stay cool on Monday, June 28. These centers have air-conditioning, restrooms, and water available. Community members are welcome to drop by during open hours to get out of the sun and keep cool.  

  • International District/Chinatown Community Center (IDCCC) will be open on Monday, June 28 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Address: 719 8th Ave S, Seattle.

  • The View Ridge room at Building 406 at Magnuson Park will be open on Monday, June 28 from  2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Please see map for location of Building 406 at Magnuson Park.

Three community centers to open as cooling centers

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will open the following three community centers to help residents stay cool. These centers have air-conditioning, restrooms, and water fountains available. Community members are welcome to drop by during open hours to get out of the sun and keep cool.  

  • International District/Chinatown Community Center (IDCCC) will be open Sunday, June 27 and Monday, June 28 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Rainier Beach Community Center will be open on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Northgate Community Center will be open on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Although they may be crowded due to the heat wave, here’s a list of wading pools and sprayparks in Seattle; they open Saturday June 26. And swimming beaches will open on the same day – listed here.

Additionally, the City of Seattle has put together more than 30 centers and opportunities to stay cool during this historic heatwave. Please visit this link for a full list with details.

Stay safe and bring water bottles, sun protection and hats if you are outside; watch for signs of heat exhaustion or illness especially in elders, or those who are health-compromised. Seattle Parks and Recreation has staff working overtime to turn on all the drinking fountains in parks, which had been shut down due to the pandemic, by the end of next week.

29 ways to splash and swim this summer with Seattle Parks and Recreation

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a few dozen toddlers splash in a kidney-shaped shallow pool, surrounded by trees and lawn and parents or guardians observing them

Updated July 28, 2021

Whether you like to lap swim, dunk, dog-paddle or wade, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has more than two dozen ways to hit the water this summer! Despite funding challenges due to the pandemic, we’ve put together two outdoor pools, two indoor pools, eight lifeguarded beaches, eleven wading pools and seven sprayparks for the community to enjoy until Labor Day. Please note the temporary schedule adjustments for wading pools below due to the regional chlorine shortage.

Here’s a list of all the aquatic possibilities in Seattle parks this summer of 2021:

OUTDOOR POOLS – opened on June 19

SPR operates two unique outdoor pools every summer. This year both will offer lap and recreational swim sessions, and Mounger will offer water fitness as well.

  • Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool, at 2535 32nd Ave. W, 206-684-4708, will open daily June 19 to September 6. Mounger Pool is really two pools in one place. The “big pool” has a 50-foot corkscrew slide and the warmer, shallower “little pool” is great for relaxing and for teaching little ones.
  • Colman Pool, at 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, 206-684-7494, will open daily June 19 to September 6. The pool enjoys a spectacular view of Puget Sound from its prime location on the beach in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park. It features heated salt water!

INDOOR POOLS – already open

Though most of our indoor pools remain closed due to the staffing and budget challenges from the pandemic, we were pleased to be able to open Medgar Evers and Rainier Beach pools earlier this spring. Each of those pools offer lap, recreational, and fitness swims at reduced capacity. Pre-registration will no longer be required or offered. All sessions will be available for drop-in admission only, on a first come, first served basis. Admission for all swims will be sold 15 minutes prior to each swim. Please keep in mind that there is a maximum capacity to swims and swims may sell out.  Please maintain 6 feet between your family and others while waiting in line.  

Medgar Evers Pool info can be found here; and Rainier Beach Pool details are here.

BEACHES – open June 26

This year beginning June 26, SPR is offering safe, lifeguarded beaches at seven around the city – and we strongly recommend swimming only where lifeguards are present. Our summer beaches are open daily, weather permitting, from noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Open until Labor Day. More information available at  http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/swimming-beaches.

  • Madrona (853 Lake Washington Blvd.)
  • Magnuson (6505 NE 65th St.)
  • Matthews (9300 51st Ave. NE)
  • Madison (1900 43rd Ave. E)
  • Mount Baker (2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S.)
  • Pritchard Island (8400 55th Ave S.)
  • West Green Lake (7312 W Green Lake Dr.)
  • (Seward closed for summer starting 7/7 due to staffing shortage)

WADING POOLS – open June 26

Little ones love the cool, shallow water and your grown-up feet will too! We will operate 11 wading pool sites this summer until Labor Day. We open on days with sunny skies and warm temperatures 70 degrees or over. You can check status if you’re unsure by calling the hotline, 206-684-7796, by mid to late morning each day. Please note that wading pools take about an hour to fill and drain each day, as required by law. The wading pool schedule is also available online at: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/spray-parks-and-wading-pools

Due to a regional shortage of chlorine that is just coming to the fore, SPR must make temporary adjustments to this summer’s wading pool schedules. Spraypark schedules remain unaffected at this time.

For wading pools, the new schedule allows all previously-announced pools to open, but on an alternating schedule. This will enable equitable distribution of our current supply of chlorine until we can obtain more. When that occurs, our plan is to open each wading pool 7 days per week.  Some pools will operate from Saturday to Tuesday, and some from Thursday to Sunday.  For now, all wading pools will be closed on Wednesdays.    

We understand how frustrating this situation is, and share in your disappointment. Rest assured that staff is working diligently to solve the matter, and know that we will update you as soon as we know more.  Please note that we have 2 outdoor pools open, 2 indoor pools open, and eight swimming beaches opening June 26. 

Operating hours for most are from noon to 7 pm. Temporary schedule, beginning Saturday June 26:

Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday

  • Dahl
  • Delridge (11am to 5:30pm)
  • Soundview
  • South Park
  • Volunteer

Wednesday

  • All wading pools closed 

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

  • Bitter Lake
  • East Queen Anne
  • Green Lake (opens 7/2)
  • Lincoln
  • Powell Barnett
  • Van Asselt

SPRAYPARKS

A number of Seattle parks have water spray features where you and the kiddos can cool off. We will operate 9 sprayparks this summer, beginning June 26 until Labor Day.

These sprayparks will be open from 11 am to 8 pm each day of the week:

  • Beacon Mountain in Jefferson Park
  • Georgetown Playfield
  • Highland Park
  • Judkins Park
  • Miller Community Center/Playfield
  • Northacres Park
  • South Lake Union Park
  • Yesler Terrace Community Center
  • John C. Little Park

Opening first week in August, due to spraypark construction project. Will be open from 11 am to 8 pm each day of the week:

  • Pratt Playground Spraypark

*Spraypark and wading pool schedules are subject to change. Check back at http://www.seattle.gov/parks/find/spray-parks-and-wading-pools for details or follow the SPR Wading Pool Facebook page.

Seattle Parks and Recreation to pilot new opening and closing hours at Golden Gardens Park

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Park will open at 6 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. beginning on June 23, 2021

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) will implement new opening and closing hours at Golden Gardens Park (8498 Seaview Pl. NW) on a pilot basis beginning Wednesday, June 23, 2021. The park will open daily at 6 a.m. (instead of 4 a.m.) and close nightly at 10 p.m. (instead of 11:30 p.m.). This modified-hours pilot, authorized by SMC 18.12.040, will last 270 days, at which point SPR will re-evaluate the park’s operating hours.

This time change is intended to help mitigate an increase in public safety issues and illegal activity at the park, including acts of violence, excessive noise violations, illegal fires, illegal parking, unpermitted events, and blocked access for emergency vehicles.

SPR has already implemented several strategies to try to discourage illegal behaviors at Golden Gardens:

  • Public education: To clarify and publicize beach fire rules and other park rules, we are using our website and social media resources, sandwich-board signs at the park, and most recently, two large electronic reader-boards stating that fires are allowed in authorized firepits only, and the time by which fires must be extinguished.  (Reader-board messaging may change to reflect updates.)
  • Enhanced staffing: Five staff are on the beach nightly. They remind park users that fires can be in firepits only and must be extinguished by 9:30 p.m.; remind park users that amplified music is prohibited; pick up litter; clean and restock restrooms.
  • Reduced hours for fires: Staff extinguish beach fires by 9:30 nightly.
  • Park entry: Staff deny vehicles entry when the parking lot is full.
  • SPD coordination: We stay in close communication and strategize with SPD regarding efforts to enforce laws and prevent illegal behaviors. A new Memorandum of Agreement between SPR and SPD, in effect May 30, is expected to enhance enforcement efforts.
  • Ambient encouragement: We installed trailers with clusters of powerful LED lights to discourage illegal activities by brightly illuminating the beach at 9:30 p.m. each night.

Despite these combined efforts, illegal activities have persisted at Golden Gardens Park, and we have heard increasing concerns from community members.

Golden Gardens Park will continue to allow beach fires this summer in designated fire rings. All beach fires must be extinguished by 9:30 p.m. and all visitors will be asked to leave the park by 10 p.m. Please see beach fire rules here.

Participate in final online open house for Lowman Beach Racket Court Planning

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Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR), Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, and Seattle Sports Complex Foundation invite the community to participate in an online meeting on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to learn about the project to date, review the consultant work and community input, and discuss the feedback and recommended direction from SPR. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/Lowman-Mtg3  Password: a6MWeF3Aff8. Or, join by phone at 206-207-1700 Code: 1872 55 9987.

At Lowman Beach Park, 7017 Beach Dr. S W., the existing tennis court will be removed as part of the Shoreline Restoration and Seawall Replacement project. The Seattle Sports Complex Foundation applied for Neighborhood Matching Funds and hired HBB Landscape Architects to prepare a study and lead the public engagement to discover if a tennis court (or other racket sports) could be added to the park.  

Two public meetings have been held and three concepts were reviewed. After reviewing the work from the community and the design team, SPR recommends either adding a pickleball court (and saving the swings) or allowing for no additional change than the beach restoration project. SPR does not support the tennis court concept. 

SPR’s recommendation takes into account the park location, its unique characteristics, proximity to other tennis courts, and future maintenance impacts. In addition, SPR reviewed the images from the public meetings, phone calls, emails, and the extensive community outreach to inform this decision. The decision also supports SPR’s Strategic Plan as the Healthy Environment section calls out preserving a healthy ocean and marine environment that contribute to the health of the Seattle and Pacific ecosystem and a balance between active and passive recreation.  

SPR did hear from the community about the importance of racket courts and has worked out an agreement with Seattle Public Schools to open the six courts at the Southwest Athletic Complex. The courts are free for drop-in unless reserved at the Amy Yee Tennis Complex. Information about court reservations can be found here: https://www.seattle.gov/parks/reserve/tennis-court-reservations#City%20Parks%20Courts.

For more information, please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/current-projects/lowman-beach-racket-court-design or contact Pam Kliment at pamela.kliment@seattle.gov or 206-684-7556.