Lincoln Field
Athletic Field for Lincoln High School
Lincoln High School is the only high school in the district without an athletic field. When Seattle voters approved the 2022 capital levy, the school-specific projects included a new practice field for Lincoln High School.
The new Lincoln High School Practice Field would provide an athletics practice “home field” for students at Lincoln High School. It would give Lincoln High School students a state-of-the-art, full -size turf field for soccer, football and other sports, restrooms, and storage for athletic equipment.
In addition, a practice running track would be upgraded at the nearby Lower Woodland #7 field to accommodate Lincoln’s robust track and field program.
Location Search
There is not room to add a field on the Lincoln site, so SPS has been looking for an alternative site where a field can be constructed. We have conducted a robust evaluation of potential sites for a new field. Nine total locations were each evaluated for student safety, accessibility, and sustainability. Currently, the preferred option is Wallingford Playfield.
Funding
This project is funded by the Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics Capital Levy (BTA V), which was approved by Seattle voters in 2022.
These funds cannot help the district close the budget gap. Funding from a capital levy must be used for the specified purposed. Capital levy funding cannot be transferred to the general fund, which is the account where operations and staffing are budgeted.
Community Conversations
Community Input Sought
Use our Let’s Talk online feedback form
After a thorough assessment of multiple locations, we are seeking community input on Wallingford Playfield as the location for the new Lincoln High School Practice Field. We are also exploring additional alternatives suggested by the community.
A decision has not been made. Designs will be developed once a location is chosen. If Wallingford Playfield is selected with agreement by Seattle Parks and Recreation, the plan would include keeping a playground, tennis courts, and other existing amenities.
Fact-Check: Top 4 Misunderstandings about the Lincoln High School Practice Field Project
We have been receiving comments and questions that include reference to some information that is incorrect. In addition to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below, we want to address these four items directly.
- Misunderstanding: Title IX violations arise because of limits on girls’ sports access.
- In fact: The new field is designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring all students, regardless of gender, have equitable access to athletic opportunities. In fact, the project is aligned with Title IX requirements to provide equal access for both girls’ and boys’ sports.This field will be for all of Lincoln HS Athletics Program. The football program will not have priority.
- In fact: The new field is designed with inclusivity in mind, ensuring all students, regardless of gender, have equitable access to athletic opportunities. In fact, the project is aligned with Title IX requirements to provide equal access for both girls’ and boys’ sports.This field will be for all of Lincoln HS Athletics Program. The football program will not have priority.
- Misunderstanding: The community will lose access to Wallingford Playfield.
- In fact: If the field is located at Wallingford Playfield, it will remain open to the community outside of school hours. Seattle Parks will manage scheduling of the new turf field ensuring that both students and local residents can continue to enjoy this valuable public space. The rest of the park will continue to be available during normal hours once construction is complete.
- In fact: If the field is located at Wallingford Playfield, it will remain open to the community outside of school hours. Seattle Parks will manage scheduling of the new turf field ensuring that both students and local residents can continue to enjoy this valuable public space. The rest of the park will continue to be available during normal hours once construction is complete.
- Misunderstanding: Turf fields are environmentally harmful and unsustainable.
- In fact: While there are concerns about synthetic turf, this project will use cork infill to reduce heat gain and microplastic risks. Additionally, the project aims to reduce transportation needs, thereby lowering the carbon footprint and aligning with Seattle’s sustainability goals.
- In fact: While there are concerns about synthetic turf, this project will use cork infill to reduce heat gain and microplastic risks. Additionally, the project aims to reduce transportation needs, thereby lowering the carbon footprint and aligning with Seattle’s sustainability goals.
- Misunderstanding: The playground and wading pool will be removed.
- In fact: If the field is located at Wallingford Playfield, the playground, wading pool, and other amenities will remain. If necessary, they may be relocated within the park, but the goal is to preserve Wallingford’s multi-use character, ensuring families continue to enjoy these features.
Community Meetings
You can download the presentation from the September 19 community meeting.
We are planning the next community gathering. Information will be shared as soon as the schedule is set.
We are working to update our Frequently Asked Questions with the questions from the meeting and those you have submitted through Let’s Talk.
What We’ve Heard: Community Feedback on the Lincoln Athletic Field Project
SPS has gathered community feedback regarding potential locations for the Lincoln Athletic Field through multiple channels, including a community meeting on Sept. 19, the Let’s Talk feedback form, emails, and monitoring community news blogs and social media.
We are carefully reviewing all comments, concerns, and questions. Our FAQ is updated regularly to address common themes and inquiries.
Here are some consistent themes across all feedback methods.
Community members have expressed concerns about losing natural spaces at Wallingford Playfield if it is selected as the location for the artificial turf field. Some specific issues expressed were:
- Loss of significant trees, which provide shade, play areas, and spaces for relaxation.Impact on local wildlife habitats, with concerns over artificial turf replacing natural grass.
- Field use by organized teams and concern over reducing opportunities for unstructured play, exercise, and picnics.
Many community members support locating the field at Wallingford Playfield, with the following comments:
- Current grass conditions are poor, often muddy and affected by dog waste.
- The location is ideal for Lincoln High School students, who deserve access to the same athletic opportunities of other high schools.
- There is a demand for more turf fields to accommodate the scheduling needs of sports teams.
Several community members are concerned that the new field would be in near-constant use after school and on weekends, with both Lincoln and Hamilton using it, followed by Seattle Parks and Recreation scheduling until 9:45 p.m.
Community members have raised concerns about loose balls potentially entering streets or neighboring yards, as well as parking, lighting, and noise issues.
Many have requested that the playground, wading pool, and tennis courts remain unchanged.
Community members have suggested several alternative locations, including Gas Works Park, Woodland Park, Lower Woodland, Queen Anne Bowl, the north parking lot at Lincoln, and potentially available school sites if elementary schools are closed.
Some have suggested reducing the field size or rotating it 90 degrees from the current design proposals.
Several community members have raised environmental and health concerns related to the use of artificial turf.
Timeline
- Design and Permitting: October 2024–May 2025
- Bidding and Construction: April 2025–August 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the project
Questions about site selection and design
Questions about the Wallingford Playfield option
Project Team
Project Management Firm: Shiels Obletz Johnsen (SOJ)
SOJ Project Manager: Paige McGehee, paigem@sojsea.com
Design and Engineering Firm: McGranahan PBK