Hey there protector of Lincoln Park!
As we head into the holiday season, the team and I are so grateful to be able to share a few positive announcements with you regarding the ill-advised plan to build six noisy pickleball courts in tranquil Lincoln Park.
First, we'll share some recent successes, and then we’ll ask you to take action again.
I met with Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR) this week as part of a small team to consult on the impacts of noise and light pollution on wildlife and people. In the meeting, SPR committed to halting construction until at least spring, removing the heavy equipment off the critical root zones of trees (this happened on Thursday - thank you for all your Find It, Fix It reports), and reducing the fenced area out of the meadow which serves as wildlife habitat, as well as a much-loved area for park goers. SPR will also begin their own studies on how noise and light impact wildlife, and humans. I will remain a part of that team moving forward.
SPR has scheduled a West Seattle Park Project Updates Virtual Meeting - Monday, November 27, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. While we don't consider this a public meeting, it is important that you register, attend, and send in your questions and comments ahead of time. This is not an interactive meeting. SPR will be answering pre-selected questions, and there are multiple projects being updated. You will have to pick a project—Pickleball Courts—and go into the associated breakout room.
We aren't sure how many slots are available, so the sooner you register and submit your questions, the better. Here’s how:
STEP ONE: Register for the SPR virtual session, here:
(You will receive a Zoom link after you register)
STEP TWO: Email your questions and comments to:
pks_info@seattle.gov and BCC us at ProtectLincolnParkWSea@gmail.com
Here’s a list of suggested questions and comments to include in your email. You may have some of your own as well.
Was the Race and Social Justice Toolkit lens applied to the decision to place pickleball courts in Lincoln Park?
This proposed plan is inconsistent with SPR's own survey results of tennis and pickleball players, and caters greatly to a small demographic.
Considering that Lincoln Park is an urban oasis and green space with restorative characteristics and important bird and wildlife habitat, how was it selected as compatible for pickleball courts?
How do pickleball courts serve Lincoln Park’s highest park values, which include a restorative nature experience for people, dark and safe habitat for many wildlife species, playgrounds, and a few seasonal recreation areas with moderate noise levels
Why was Lincoln Park chosen when there are numerous other sites in West Seattle that could accommodate pickleball, and numerous existing courts without wait times to play?
Has SPR proceeded with the pickleball courts project in Lincoln park in a way that is consistent with the Parks Involvement Policy and Use Management Guidelines?
Regarding the conversion from an environmental storage area to pickleball, where is the engineer's assessment? The pad has had decades of heavy equipment and eco-blocks on it, and drainage still needs to be explored according to SPR’s own project manager. Tree roots have emerged and should not be covered with asphalt. According to site plans, only asphalt along the eastern border will be removed; there are no trees there.
What are the parameters of SPR’s studies regarding noise impacts on wildlife and humans?
Why is SPR deviating from its own Pickleball Study, which cost $50,000?
The site is within a large, mostly natural park, less than 50 meters from an Environmentally Critical Area which serves as a biodiversity corridor and habitat area for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife designated priority species. More than 160 bird species have been reported in the vicinity, making it one of the most important reservoirs of urban bird diversity in Seattle. In fact, it was the location where City leaders held the ceremony when Seattle was designated as anr Urban Bird Treaty City by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. (Source: Birds Connect) 160 species is 64% of all species documented in Seattle. Survey data over 7 years, shows almost 50 species documented at the site alone.
Scientists link light pollution to global insect decline, the death of millions of migrating birds, increased carbon emissions, and disease. (Source: DarkSky Washington)
SPR says courts will be available for play during park hours. In spring and summer there would be up to 14 hours of pickleball noise a day. Will SPR conduct stand-alone noise studies, and what will be the parameters of those studies?
Thank you for staying involved with the effort to keep Lincoln Park a healthy habitat for all of us.
Kersti E. Muul
Wildlife Biologist, Urban Conservation Specialist and Wildlife Response and Rescue
Neighborhood Bird Project & Climate Watch Site Leader, West Seattle
Organizer - Protect Lincoln Park
ProtectLincolnPark.com
P.S. Lincoln Park needs a strong presence at SPR’s virtual meeting on Nov. 27, and space is limited. Please register today, submit your question(s), and attend. Even if you can’t attend, send your comments and questions to SPR. Please also sign and share the petition to Preserve Lincoln Park’s Natural Balance with friends.