Lights to be switched on in Seattle playfields this weekend to discourage fireworks

In an effort to discourage residents from setting off fireworks in the city, Seattle Parks and Recreation will be turning on lights in several athletic fields around Seattle this weekend, including in Ballard.

The Seattle Parks department says they’ll turn on lights at ballfields throughout the city on the evenings of Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4 to protect the surfaces. The lights will be turned on at about 8:30. p.m. and most will be turned off at either 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., depending the field. The fields will also be monitored by security guards from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Local fields where lights will be turned on include Loyal Heights Playfield (2101 NW 77th St) and the Ballard Playfield (2644 NW 60th St).

Fireworks are illegal in the city of Seattle, and Seattle Parks is also trying to protect the artificial turf on the fields and the surrounding facilities. The departments says that to replace a synthetic surface on a full-size athletic field (110,000 square feet) is $1.2 million. Many fields in the city have been renovated in the past several years, including Loyal Heights Playfield, which underwent a turf replacement in October 2020.

Keep in mind that several Seattle Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed on Sunday and Monday (July 4 and 5).

Seattle Parks facilities that will be closed for the holiday include:

Childcare
Middle and high school academic support HUBs
Amy Yee Tennis Center closed both Sunday, July 4th and Monday, July 5th (city courts can still be reserved online)
Medgar Evers and Rainier Beach pools
Hygiene Shower Program
Mount Baker Rowing and Sailing (closed both Sunday, July 4th and Monday, July 5th)
Green Lake Small Craft Center

The following will remain open throughout the weekend and Monday:

Parks
Colman and Mounger outdoor pools
Wading pools and sprayparks (see this page for schedule)
All lifeguarded beaches except E. Green Lake (see this page for schedule)
Boat ramps
Golf at Interbay, Jackson Park, Jefferson Park and West Seattle facilities

Lights at the following fields will be turned off at 11 p.m. on July 3 and 4:

Bobby Morris at Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave
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. on July 3 and 4:

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. on July 3 and 4: