Date set for Hiawatha Playfield track installation, field closure

Seattle Parks just sent word that they’ve set the date for installation of the new rubberized track at recently renovated Hiawatha Playfield: Scheduled start date is July 5th, weather permitting, and that means a three-week shutdown for the entire field. Read on for the full announcement from Parks:

Installation of a new rubberized track is scheduled to begin July 5, 2010 at the Hiawatha Playfield. Seattle Parks and Recreation estimates that this weather-dependent construction will take 3 weeks, and the entire playfield, both track and field, will be closed during that time.

While the new synthetic field was opened to the public in December 2009, the track installation could not occur until dry weather in summer 2010.

Premier Fields renovated the fields with synthetic turf, which accommodates football, soccer and baseball. The schedule for the track installation is weather dependent, and the dates could change due to rain.

The $3.6 million project received funding from Seattle Parks and Recreation’s major maintenance fund, the Seattle School District and King County.

Robert May 26, 2010 (9:13 am)

Wow – hadn’t realized this – I like the current new track and didn’t realize it was just a temporary one.

all badd May 26, 2010 (10:45 am)

That’s a great thing for the 34 people who actually use it! And for the low price of 3.6 million! Wow

Hiawatha Track User #31 May 26, 2010 (10:58 am)

I and my 33 other running and walking cohorts are certainly looking forward to the new track.
.
Seriously though – the upgrades to the field are wonderful, and well worth it. Clearly the $3.6M is for the whole project, not just the new track.

My two cents May 26, 2010 (11:16 am)

I’m glad that they are doing this and will start using it now that it will be rubberized. I would think that more people will use it once this work has been completed.

Lorelee May 26, 2010 (7:27 pm)

Awesome! We were wondering why they spent all that money on the field and then put in a crappy Asphalt track. This will be well used by real runners now