By Joe Veyera
Seattle Parks & Recreation will be lighting up the night at ballfields throughout the city on July 3 and 4, in an effort to discourage the use of fireworks, which are both illegal in the Seattle city limits, and destroy the fields’ artificial turf.
Beginning at 8:45 p.m., the lights will be turned on at 13 local fields, and will stay on until 10 p.m. at three fields, and 11 p.m. at the other ten. The fields will be monitored by security between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
“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,” reads a statement from Seattle Parks & Recreation.
Nearby, the lights will be on at the Loyal Heights Playfield (2101 NW 77th St) from 8:45 to 10 p.m. As part of the 2000 Pro Parks Levy, that field was converted from natural grass to artificial turf in the spring of 2007.
For more information and a full list of playfields that will be illuminated, click here, or call Seattle Parks and Recreation Security Manager Marlan Teeters at 206.684.7088.
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Fireworks don’t usually start until it gets dark– as in 10pm (right when they will turn the lights off).
I’m sure that 9a-4p security will also be very helpful. What a waste of time and electricity.
Just hose the field off or something more useful
What about grassy parks, like Gilman and Ross? How about turning on on the sprinkler systems at 9pm and have them run until 1am? Those two parks are flooded with fireworks and both are right in the middle of residential neighborhoods.
We really need security at Gilman that evening. Fireworks go off all night in that field starting around midnight.
nancy’s suggestion is brilliant! love ideas for solutions rather than just complaints or sarcasm
doesn’t matter either way – if the fields are ruined us good ‘ol taxpayers will be happy to replace them, yet again.
C’mon, Nancy, Amy and BalGal. Just a little fun, the kids love it and nothing has burnt down yet! In fact the scofflaws clean up after themselves like the good Ballardians we are.
Besides, Nancy’s idea is a BAD idea.
To run sprinklers for four hours and waste all that water just so Nancy and her ilk (Amy and BalGal) can get a good night sleep is just RIDICULOUS.
I’m going over there with a portable hair-dryer tomorrow morning to blow on the grass and make it EXTRA dry. Just like I take my gin and tonic.