It’s recess at West Woodland Elementary, but you’d never know it by this empty field. The wet, mushy field is roped off with a sign that says “Field Closed.”
The principal at West Woodland and several others made their case to the Ballard District Council (BDC) last night to support their request for $85,000 from the Neighborhood Matching Large Project Fund. The school wants to restore the field so kids, neighbors and youth teams can use it. They’d also like to add a track around the field. A three-person sub-committee from the BDC reviewed the request by the Friends of West Woodland and enthusiastically endorsed the project. Shannon Dunn, the spokesperson for the committee, said that the three of them were given specific criteria by the Department of Neighborhoods and measured the application against those. After a full review, the sub-committee scored the application at 87 out of 100. With her thumbs up she told the council, “Yes! Yes! Yes! From the three of us!” She encouraged the entire council to approve the application and said that with the lack of green space in east Ballard, this is a great opportunity to create a park that everyone can use. The BDC agreed and unanimously approved the application which now has several more hurdles with other committees. Mayor Greg Nickels will ultimately choose award recipients which is then voted on by the Seattle City Council. According to Rob Mattson, the final list of projects will be announced sometime in September.
West Woodland one step closer to new playfield
![](https://www.myballard.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-My-Ballard-Tile-Ad-Troop-100.png")
Is a turf field being proposed or a new grass one (presumably with better drainage). My hope is for new grass.
Green-coated plastic is probably what they are aiming for — the same material being used all over playfields througout the city. Anyone who characterizes that as a “green space” doesn't know the meaning of the phrase. The groups lobbying BDC need to be clear about what they are asking for and BDC needs to be clear with the community.
Ever since Loyal Heights Playfield was “restored” with a plastic and rubber carpet, the neighbors have had virtually no access to it because the organized sports teams are now scheduled there for games and practices round the clock (9 am – 10 pm) on weekends and pretty much every week day from 3 pm – 10 pm.
It's always good to know ahead of time what the results will be.
Oh how I remember all the days when I went here (NEW school, I was the second kindergarten class to enter, I believe) wishing the field was open so all of us girls could chase the boys. :) It was bad back then, I can only imagine what its like now.
I saw a sketch of the proposal at the BDC meeting last night and it specified grass or artifical turf, so it sounds like it's still to be determined. I'm sure they'd value input on the material choice and how the field would be used by the public, if/when they get their grant.
Thanks for the inside scoop. At least it's not a done deal yet, but… if their goal is to increase field time for sports teams, that means they're putting in the fake stuff.
After the hostile disrespect that was shown to neighbors over LHP, I don't think I have the stomach to fight this battle over West Woodland. I give a thumbs up and “good luck” to others with the energy for it.
I don't think the field space is large enough to put in a turf field and track without ripping out the entire playground. Crossing my fingers that they just want to put in new grass. The current field is horrible, unless you're a local dog owner. That's the only people I ever see using it. Its not suitable for much of anything else unless you want to risk breaking an ankle
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