LOWMAN BEACH: What happens after tennis court is removed? Next meeting June 29

When Lowman Beach‘s failing seawall is removed, the tennis court next to it will be removed too. That’s already settled, but what remains to be decided is, will a new sport court be built elsewhere in the park? A community group called the Seattle Sports Complex Foundation has been advocating for that, and with grant funding, it’s been leading a design process. The third meeting has just been announced for June 29th, 6:30 pm online. The announcement says that since the second meeting in October (WSB coverage here), “important discussions and much feedback” have led to development of two concepts that will be shown at this meeting. Video/phone participation information is on the project webpage, along with links to information and visuals from the first two meetings. P.S. The seawall-removal project is expected to start by midsummer.

JohnW June 19, 2021 (4:15 pm)

Sealth Tennis 69 June 19, 2021 (4:18 pm)

Enjoyed this unique West Seattle treasure today. Did not play tennis but those who did should relish these last opportunities?

Craig June 19, 2021 (11:24 pm)

Survey or not the space should be used for what it is, beach access as natural as possible. Squeezing in a court for tennis is about as logical as making room for a soccer field, or baseball diamond. Especially when there’s a huge tennis complex a few blocks away already. I hope the city sees this, and the upcoming meetings speak to it with clarity. Paving over a large portion of park for a sometimes/some people sport just isn’t the best use, in my opinion.

RayWest June 20, 2021 (6:57 am)

I have never felt a tennis court was suitable for this small beach area. There is so little access to any shoreline in and around Seattle, and this should be as natural as possible. Tennis courts belong in bigger park and recreational areas. I don’t know how many people use this tennis court, but anytime I have been there, I have rarely seen anyone playing tennis, and frankly, it is a visual blight amidst a beautiful view.

Natinstl June 20, 2021 (7:23 am)

I would like to see the beach area kept more natural so we can enjoy it vs paving over it. I go down there all the time and never see people using the court.

KM June 20, 2021 (8:51 am)

I truly hope they don’t replace it.

Ev June 20, 2021 (10:52 am)

I agree. If people complain about Beach Access. GO TO LINCOLN Park. It’s like a 5 minute walk. I like watching people play tennis, and see the kids play on the swing, or lay in the grass.

SD June 21, 2021 (7:28 am)

GO TO Solstice tennis courts across from Lincoln Park to play tennis. “It’s like a 5 minute walk.”

Quiz June 21, 2021 (10:30 am)

PLEASE bring back a new Tennis/Sport court. It’s such a gem of a place to enjoy that kind of stuff. I’m sure there are plans that can accommodate total beach access AND a court. To assume otherwise is lazy.

JohnW June 21, 2021 (10:51 am)

The experience of hitting balls at Lowman is unique.
Proposed natural beach access will not be compromised by the addition of sports courts, just as the existing courts do not.
People familiar with tennis courts of the area, are aware of the different courts, with the more serious players and competitors taking up court space at ‘better’ surfaced Lincoln Park Annex.
Another valid point is that oftentimes the courts at Lincoln Park and Delridge (that I am aware of) are reserved for high school tennis teams.
What I. would like to see for the new Lowman would be the inclusion of activities long present (I still love the swing set) sports court and shady spots to sit.
But the large expanse of grass is little more than an off-leash dog area.
Anyone who claims this historical neighborhood treasure is not being used, should simply visit it today.
As for a ‘blight,’ just spend a few minutes sitting on the bench overlooking the courts an a glorious day like today.

Auntie June 21, 2021 (11:19 am)

To not want to walk a few blocks up to Fauntleroy to perfectly good tennis courts is lazy. Let’s have more park and less cement.

JohnW June 21, 2021 (2:18 pm)

Auntie, please take up my challenge to visit the Lowman Beach courts so many of us appreciate for their uniqueness.
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The laziness remark is unfounded as as park goers purposely choose these courts, there is limited parking and there is only one court.
Quite often like yesterday, we observe families whose picnic includes a bit of tennis as well as beach and swings.
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This is the Lowman Beach heritage I was introduced to in the early sixties, that I introduced to our daughter in the early 2000s and I hope she is able to continue to enjoy and share…

Jerry Kindinger June 27, 2021 (12:56 pm)

I strongly favor putting two dedicated pickleball courts at Lowman Beach. There is a shortage of pickleball courts and demand, particularly in West Seattle, is growing. Using a relatively small part of the beach park to two dedicated courts would take less space than the old tennis court which was there for many years. Adding these courts would complement the overall approach in the city of using beaches for a variety of sports and recreational activities, increase use of the park area and result in more people enjoying this wonderful property. Jerry K.

Jennie June 29, 2021 (9:48 am)

An organized sport with practices will take up what precious little public parking already exists in that area. I’m for leaving it as natural as possible. Bring a badminton net for some racket sports in this beautiful setting. Reduce the concrete jungle.

F June 29, 2021 (12:36 pm)

Why not Basketball courts that have pickle ball hours/days.Or pickleball courts with basketball hours/days?Basketball is a terrific family sport, and lends itself to children of all ages. No need for full size courts,. After being in Gatewood the better part of 20 years, i am still astounded at the absolute lack of court space, nothing in Lincoln Park?!How can that be?