Pickleball in Lincoln Park or Solstice Park? 3 updates

(WSB photo, October 1st)

Updates today in the ongoing issue of Seattle Parks canceling its plan to add pickleball stripes to three Solstice Park tennis courts and instead deciding to turn a former Lincoln Park tennis-court area (photo above) into pickleball courts:

TIMING: The plan to resurface Solstice Park courts – which is what brought up the potential for pickleball – has been delayed. Parks tells us that the resurfacing, recently considered “imminent,” is now not going to happen until spring/summer of next year: “The contractor got delayed because of supplies that did not come in time and now the weather is too wet and temperatures too cool to resurface the courts. This project will be the first one scheduled when the appropriate weather returns.” (Different material than the Lincoln Park plan, which is described as an “asphalt overlay.”)

MONEY: Questions persisted even after Parks clarified that the $140,000 cost of converting the Lincoln Park site is coming from an Associated Recreation Council grant. We asked for more details; Parks says the money was not specifically earmarked for this: “This project is being funded with a portion of a $400,000 grant from the Associated Recreation Council, given to the department last spring. There were no restrictions on where we could spend the funds. SPR decided to spend a portion of them on pickleball expansion, and the rest toward recreation programs and services.”

LINCOLN PARK LIGHTING? Funding may get in the way of that, Parks added: “We are still exploring the possibility of adding lights, but it may end up being cost prohibitive for the time being and may need to be added when future funding can be secured. Funding the lights out of the same grant would mean reducing funding to one of the other promised investments.”

As noted here yesterday, the Lincoln Park pickleball plan now has a page on the Parks website.

Alki resident October 10, 2023 (5:20 pm)

If an amount needed was posted for the cost of the lights, maybe we can help fund that. I’d love to maybe see some art around the pickle ball court as well. With 5 million pickle ball players in our country, I’m excited to see the final touches and to watch families and friends play this game.

Carol October 10, 2023 (7:02 pm)

There are not 5 million pickle ball players in West Seattle. What kind of “art” would you like to see at a pickle ball court? Many of us think the grandeur of nature that is Lincoln Park and Puget Sound is enough.
- Alki resident October 10, 2023 (9:48 pm)
  
  Perhaps reread my comment. There are 5 million pickle ball players in our country. This sport isn’t a fad, it’s here to stay.
  - Carol October 11, 2023 (9:09 am)
    
    Yes, I realize you quoted a statistic for the country, but do not think that is relevant. Pickle ball was invented here, and people have been playing it here for decades. Most of our community centers offer pickle ball to people of all ages. I imagine when the horse shoe courts in Lincoln Park were built to accommodate that very popular sport people thought it too was “here to stay”. I think I’ve seen people use the horseshoe court maybe 10 times in the 39 years I’ve been walking the park. I’ve rarely seen people lining up for the pickle ball courts at Whale Tail Park and the only time the Bob Booth tennis courts are completely full is in the summer when they have classes for children there. And, I have seen people play pickle ball at the Bob Booth tennis courts … without the regulation striping. I don’t think I have a problem with the latest proposal to convert the old LP tennis court into pickle ball courts; I think that would be less disruptive than the current state of affairs with giant trucks driving over fields, making “new roads” instead of using the existing ones. But, I do want to know the exact plan by SPR and don’t want work to proceed until we have all the facts. Lincoln Park is a cherished natural place that I would hate to see junked up with spur of the moment ideas. There are a lot of birds, animals and plant species that thrive there and are worth preserving.

zero new pickleball courts please October 10, 2023 (5:41 pm)

Across West Seattle, there are very few accessible basketball courts, but Parks has so much motivation to add pickleball they need online surveys. Seems like old white people get all the attention from Seattle Parks. There’s a recreation gap between playgrounds and boomer lap pools that needs to be filled before we fundanother fad pickleball court.

BLK October 10, 2023 (6:23 pm)

Zero:This “old white person” says f* pickleball courts in Lincoln Park!
Odd son October 10, 2023 (7:40 pm)

Old white guy here, don’t give a rats azz about pickle ball. Can’t believe all the drama over this the past few weeks. If people only put as much passion into life and death type things..
- Sarah October 11, 2023 (9:21 am)
  
  Yes! Cheers to Odd son for stating the obvious.
C October 10, 2023 (7:56 pm)

Finally someone speaks some sense!
Brandon October 10, 2023 (8:32 pm)

Weird. I wasn’t aware another races were incapable of playing pickleball. How unfortunate, seems like a growing popular sport that’s easy enough everyone would like to play if they were interested. Your race baiting is ineffective here.
- Zero pickleball again October 10, 2023 (9:46 pm)
  
  Darn it. Race baiting usually works perfectly. I’ll try something else…
  
  KIDS FROM 12 to 18 DON’T HAVE A PLACE TO PLAY
  
  How’s that? In Lincoln Park there are lots of playgrounds and the wading pool for babies and young kids. There are tennis courts, and our beautiful pool is dominated by structured lap swim sessions all summer for older folks. What do parks provide for people in between, regardless of their nationality? If kids frequented the wooded trails and other shared facilities, the outcry for police patrols would be numerous and immediate. Let’s be realistic, and let’s provide a place to hang out and play basketball (and other flat-concrete-slab sports) for our tweeners and teens.
  - Brandon October 10, 2023 (11:13 pm)
    
    So… they can learn to play Pickleball. At the park. Next to an area where there are grass fields where they can kick a ball around or play catch. Ride bikes, skateboard, rollerblade, run or walk around the paved trail and stop to skim rocks. Who is instituting a generational gap between this sport?
    - Jay October 11, 2023 (9:03 am)
      
      Yeah, we don’t need active sports like basketball that young people like to play. They should just play geriatric friendly sports and learn to like it!
    - Pete October 11, 2023 (11:19 am)
      
      We should turn the space into basket ball courts and soccer cages. Sports kids actually like.
    - Jethro Marx October 11, 2023 (1:07 pm)
      
      I’m not sure what you’re talking about but I absolutely love the notion of cage soccer. Is that what the kids today are clamoring for? Why haven’t you built even one soccer cage, Parks Department? Do you hate children?
    - Brandon October 11, 2023 (1:24 pm)
      
      Oh, my bad, Jay. Kids like ice cream, pizza, and chicken nuggets, so we need to give them that for meals every day. They don’t like vegetables, soup, or prime rib because that’s for old people. Same for sports apparently.
      
      Ignore them ever every trying different foods and liking them. We need to do everything to capitulate to their close-minded desires and make sure not to broaden their horizons, especially in sports! Then claim those sports are age/ race specific looking over the fact we made the imaginary boundaries ourselves.
  - Swammer October 11, 2023 (6:22 am)
    
    our beautiful pool is dominated by structured lap swim sessions all summer for older folks. I would not say that’s the case. Coleman has (as it should) a few lanes open for lap swim – far less than it should? Are there times where the whole pool is lap swim only?Frankly, it’s shocking that West Seattle (or really, anywhere in Seattle) doesn’t have an actual olympic size swimming pool fit for a USAS Club Team.
  - MrWatters October 11, 2023 (10:13 am)
    
    There’s multiple open-to-the-public hoops/courts around WSeattle for teens/tweens to play bball. The reality is that they are sparsely used.
  - Babe Ruth October 11, 2023 (10:33 pm)
    
    Why can’t the teens play soccer, football, or baseball?
Dr Wu October 11, 2023 (6:03 pm)

I’m an “old white guy “ who doesn’t really care either way.

T October 10, 2023 (5:42 pm)

Kinda laughed when the parks department was going full steam ahead, then putting on the brakes. Haha! Solstice park tennis courts have 6 total for tennis.. hmmmm… It maybe possible to split it in half… one section with 3 tennis courts leave them that way. The other 3 courts make them pickleball.. make it simple. Thanks

Alki resident October 10, 2023 (6:33 pm)

It’s already being made simple. The old court in Lincoln Park is just that, an old court. Why the need to mix two sports together when there’s plenty of room at the park for pickle ball?
- pickleball is a fad October 10, 2023 (7:34 pm)
  
  The tennis courts at Solstice Park are vacant more than 50% of every day, except for a stretch in the summer when tennis camps host clinics. It’s not just space, it’s time. From 8am to 6pm, there’s more than plenty of time for everyone who needs to play can play, regardless of their striped-court preference. How about basketball courts down by the water? Without nets, a basketball court can work for basketball, street hockey, roller skating, dancing, etc. There’s no reason for another pickleball court, and there’s no reason to deprive our kids the opportunity for a basketball court.
- citizenofseattle October 10, 2023 (8:27 pm)
  
  I think all of the reasons have been provided to you, Alki Resident. If you read the posts, you will see that your neighbors are heartbroken about this decision. WSB comments are at an all time high (not the highest, but high!). Thousands have signed a petition. That rarely happens and speaks to the shock and pain that folks are experiencing over this decision. I have never seen this kind of outcry in West Seattle for a Seattle Parks decision and I’ve lived here for decades. Everyone is talking about it – digitally and in-person. People are so sad about this.
  - Tracey October 10, 2023 (9:12 pm)
    
    Thank you for mentioning the petition. I was able to find it online and sign it. change.org
    - Heather October 11, 2023 (6:08 am)
      
      https://chng.it/YnK4LhQ44KHere’s the direct link.
  - Alki resident October 10, 2023 (9:57 pm)
    
    That petition you signed was based on lies and deception. Funny how quickly people signed such a thing so horrifically put together. The people that are “so sad” about this have nothing better to do than try to keep one more thing from coming to our community. Funny thing is the court is already there. There are many people that want it whether you believe that or not. I stand by the park’s decision and look forward to see it being used.
    - Denise October 11, 2023 (4:59 am)
      
      The petition is factual. There are no lies or deception there. And the over 2300 people who signed it know that. It’s staggering that the pickleball people cannot see how much this is going to hurt so many people in our community. Do you not get it? We LoVE this park. And pickleball will ruin a lot of people’s enjoyment of the thing they love so dearly. And you ignoring that is just staggering.
    - Thomas October 11, 2023 (3:51 pm)
      
      Denise, I definitely feel a little lied to after looking more into city laws and the actual issue at hand after signing that petition. It was scary to read about everything parks was going to do based on the petition and then it turns out it’s just painting some lines. The petition talks about building new facilities, soil erosion, required public comment period, claims of an environmentally critical area (which I, unfortunately, took to mean a legal designation, not a passionate proclamation), dog parks, etc.
      
      I’m frankly in support of the courts now, if only because of how sketched out I am by that petition and how mislead it made me feel. Saying 2,500 people are against pickleball courts MIGHT be correct, but I imagine there is a certain percent that is only against the addition of a bunch of buildings and dog parks, like I was (and am).
    - BP Writer October 11, 2023 (4:59 pm)
      
      Exactly. The intentional misleading of people with good intentions is just awful.
    - Teti October 31, 2023 (4:51 pm)
      
      Hi Thomas,If the pickleball courts are installed at the Solstice tennis courts, then only lines need to be painted.If the pickleball courts are installed in Lincoln Park, where the trucks, compost/soil/etc. are currently stored, far more work is required. The concrete slab, which was used for tennis 20+ years ago, is cracked, not level and has a huge hole in it. It is not as simple as just painting lines.
    - Kristina October 11, 2023 (6:38 am)
      
      What lies? What deception? Lincoln Park is one of the few (semi) wild spaces left, and many people don’t want to hear the court sounds. Personally I am most concerned about light pollution inside the park and a lighted area in the forest is not what I want.Yes, some people want pickle ball in Lincoln Park. Many others do not. The petition represents my interests so I signed it.
  - Jackson K October 11, 2023 (7:42 am)
    
    “Shock and pain???????” This decision is causing pain???? Oh come on! If you don’t want to hear players playing pickleball, use the other parts of the park!What about all the people like me feeling joy for the opportunity to use the park for pickleball games, to be active, to meet and socialize?
  - Sarah2 October 11, 2023 (9:28 am)
    
    I am heartbroken that I was the victim of violent assault a few weeks ago. Please do not put your “shock and pain”, your words, into the same category. The fight over pickle ball courts does not cause shock and pain unless you are living an incredibly privileged life. In the city. Where there is always noise.
    - Jackson K October 11, 2023 (2:44 pm)
      
      Sarah, first, I am sorry you were a victim of any crime. I hope you are doing well now. Second, I was responding to another commentor who said that the decision to build a pickleball court in Lincoln Park was causing them “shock and pain.” It looks like they took their comment down.I’d rather spend more time chasing your then spend time arguing over one new pickleball court that will bring enjoyment to many.
Melissa October 10, 2023 (10:47 pm)

I’m with you, T. The playground at the south end of the park was taken down something like 6 years ago now with promises that it would be rebuilt. It’s been an empty spot since then. Gone is the wonderful zipline my kids spent hours on when they were little. Gone is the climbing structure that my littlest learned to climb on. There are almost no barriers to play on a play structure and yet…There are existing courts by Solstice Park. They are usually empty. They are the logical place to put in pickleball courts. And likely far cheaper than in the middle of LP, where they will disturb nesting birds and park pedestrians.

Carol October 10, 2023 (6:59 pm)

I wish Seattle Parks and Recreation would answer a few questions: 1.) Is the stuff currently stored on the old tennis courts going to be moved to another space in Lincoln Park, i.e. is there going to be a commensurate loss of natural area to create a new storage area? 2. ) Are trees going to be cut down to accommodate the pickle ball court, and if so, how many and which ones? 3.) Are there, or are there not going to be lights, and if so, what hours will the lights be turned on? I’ve lived in West Seattle since 1984 and remember SPR plans to put a zip line in Lincoln Park, railings along the sea walls at Alki Beach, cutting down the big trees at Hiawatha, and of course the latest proposal to put a dog park in that beautiful meadow just to the west of the old tennis court/new pickle ball court. I don’t *think* I am against the pickle ball court….I actually think it might be less harmful than it’s current usage…. BUT I DON’T KNOW for sure because we are not being complete information from SPR. Needless to say, I have trust issues with them, but for good reason. And also, what is the rush…. is there a pickle ball emergency I am not aware of?

Denise October 11, 2023 (5:10 am)

A big problem with putting pickleball in that court us the noise pollution it will create. There will be six courts in there, with games going all day long and possibly into the night if they add lights. Which they undoubtedly will at some point. The noise though is the worst issue. The hard plastic balls generate a unique sound that can reach 80 or 90 decibels, which is way louder than tennis. And it’s a rapid fire noise that repeats endlessly. Check it out online. It’s a huge impact to the entire area—and it’s a huge problem for the sport all over the country because so many people are traumatized by having to listen to the noise from it.
- Alki resident October 11, 2023 (12:20 pm)
  
  Where do you get “ into the night”? The park hours posted hours of operation.
Erik October 11, 2023 (10:41 am)

Sounds like they likely wont have lights because the funding wont be enough? But even if they do, no park in the area that I have seen keeps their lights on all night. So I wouldn’t reasonably expect them to keep lights on unnecessarily throughout the whole night at a pickleball court. The courts are already existing tennis courts so why would you think they would need to cut trees down? The city of Seattle protects trees almost as if they’re actual human lives, so I doubt there would be any unnecessary tree removals. If you actually look at the photo above, it doesn’t look like there is much stored in the courts, so its not like moving the small amount of equipment will be that big of a deal. Why all the questions about things that don’t matter? Also its not a “rush”. They just have the funding and ability to do it in a timely fashion. Shouldn’t that be how the system works? Instead of endlessly debating the minutia of “what time will the lights be turned out when I wont even be near the courts 99.9 percent of the year”?

Someone help confirm October 10, 2023 (7:27 pm)

I need some clarification from those of you who are more familiar with pickleball. Is it true that it’s for those who are not athletic enough for tennis yet too poor for golf? Thank you in advance! Trying to learn more about this hot trend where adults basically stand on top of a ping-pong table for fun.

Bob October 11, 2023 (3:21 pm)

Would love a link to that study you clearly must have read regarding the socioeconomic and physiological demographics of pickleball players. Or were you just calling people poor and out of shape, arbitrarily, for fun? Could you confirm?
Kathy October 11, 2023 (5:28 pm)

Not just for old people
John Morris October 11, 2023 (10:50 pm)

Golf requires a graceful swing and a 7 mile walk.

justthinking October 10, 2023 (8:12 pm)

ARC should support social equity (which it says it does on their website) and that should include equal access to the peace and serenity of a quiet natural park. Not everyone has the quiet sanctuary of a large yard or house. Some of us live in apartments and condos. We deserve a natural sanctuary to listen to the sounds of birds and the wind in the trees. The occasional, pleasant sound of a baseball game or kiddos on the swings is nothing compared to the incessant, irritating thwack thwack thwack of pickleball. Over stimulation is an issue in the city – that’s one of the reasons parks were created. Equal access to peace and quiet.

Sarah October 10, 2023 (9:07 pm)

Literally walk anywhere in the south 2/3 of the upper park area and you’ll be fine. I walk 3-4 miles of upper park trail loops daily and would hear nothing for 90%+ of it even with pickleball.
- Denise October 11, 2023 (5:19 am)
  
  The pickleball noise travels at least 500 feet, and it is legendary for being so loud and piercing it is triggering lawsuits all over the country. 500 feet would impact the playground, picnic area, the meadow, the nearby trails, and it would most likely penetrate into the forest. People and wildlife would suffer. It is astounding how little pickleball players consider their impact on others. People love this park.
  - Bob October 11, 2023 (3:27 pm)
    
    Playgrounds: universally revered for their quiet tranquility.

S October 10, 2023 (9:44 pm)

There’s a discrepancy regarding the resurfacing plans at Solstice Park and the criteria for selecting the Lincoln Park location for pickleball.
In this post the Parks Department mentions the resurfacing of Solstice Park courts, which led to the consideration of pickleball, has been delayed. Originally expected to occur soon, it is now scheduled for spring/summer of next year. This reads as a reason why they quickly pivoted to install PB courts in Lincoln Park.

However, in this Parks link (https://www.seattle.gov/parks/about-us/projects/lincoln-park-tennis-court-conversion) it clearly states that the main criteria for selecting the Lincoln Park location is to: avoid conflicts with tennis.
WSB would you be able to provide clarification on these differing statements? I appreciate your assistance if possible in resolving this confusion.

Erik October 11, 2023 (3:08 pm)

The resurfacing was put on hold because the contractor was delayed. Says right in the post. There is nothing contradictory in those two statements because they’re talking about two different projects now.
- S October 11, 2023 (5:42 pm)
  
  Yes, The reason Parks is using for pivoting away from Solstice is: the contractor was delayed. Parks then claims their main criteria for pursuing Lincoln Park is to “avoid conflict with tennis.” Again, they abandoned Solstice supposedly because of a timing delay where PickleBall would: SHARE WITH TENNIS, yet Parks then adopts the main criteria for going forward with Lincoln Park is to: AVOID CONFLICT WITH TENNIS. Those are 2 opposing criteria. Parks could wait out the delays, restripe courts at Solstice, Pickleball courts would be up and running next Spring or Summer, but it’s not a matter of waiting out delays as they state their: main criteria is to avoid conflict with tennis.
  - Erik October 12, 2023 (12:41 pm)
    
    I see where your confusion is. Initially when they were planning for resurfacing the tennis courts, they were also considering EITHER restriping half the courts for pickleball, or creating separate pickleball courts in Lincoln Park, so they could expand their pickleball availability. At the time they didn’t have the funding to create a separate pickleball court, so they decided to resurface and restripe solstice instead since they had the necessary funding for it. Then they got the grant after that decision was made, so they decided to go with the preferred plan of having separate courts so that each sport could have their own space. They have not abandoned solstice park though. Quoted from above:“The contractor got delayed because of supplies that did not come in time and now the weather is too wet and temperatures too cool to resurface the courts. This project will be the first one scheduled when the appropriate weather returns.”. But initially they were going to share because they didn’t have the funding, and only because they didn’t have the funding to build separate courts, and now they have pivoted since they received enough funding to build separate courts. So that is why there are differing statements.

Kyle October 10, 2023 (10:28 pm)

If I was writing a manual on how not to run a city parks department, Seattle Parks would be the first city I would call.

Carol October 11, 2023 (9:24 am)

I tend to agree. I wonder if anyone from Seattle Parks ever routinely walks in Lincoln Park? I understand there is a “ranger” assigned to the park, but I have never seen this person and I am in the park every day. I don’t think SPR realizes what a natural treasure the space is…. they keep wanting to “develop” it with amusements when they should concentrate more on preserving its natural wonders.
- Bob October 11, 2023 (3:36 pm)
  
  Carol, it’s a city park and very much NOT your backyard. Why should they focus on preserving its “natural wonder”? Other than you preferring that for your walks?
  
  People not named Carol deserve to have opportunities and options to enjoy a park that they (generally) fund in a variety of ways. It’s unfortunate things are changing in a way that you don’t like – change is hard! However, it will be ok in the long run.
  
  Better yet, there are numerous options to get to one of our many beautiful state parks, where natural wonder very much IS the name of the game.
- Facts October 11, 2023 (4:07 pm)
  
  There is no park ranger at Lincoln Park currently. Park rangers are sequestered to the downtown corridor because of an agreement the city has with the police Union guild (SPOG). If you would like to see this changed you should contact your elected officials.

Kyle October 10, 2023 (10:32 pm)

I mean I kind of think refurbishing old courts at Lincoln Park is a good thing whether it’s for pickleball or tennis. The decaying area deserves better than the current status quo. However, I also think someone should send photos to Parks of how often their are vacant courts at solstice to illustrate how ridiculous it is those courts aren’t being striped for dual use.

Denise October 11, 2023 (5:27 am)

It doesn’t make any sense. The only reason I can think of is that pickleball people want Lincoln because it’s the nicest park. I think it’s the same with the off leash people. They have Westcrest, but Lincoln is nicer. The pickleball people have plenty of other places to play, but not as nice as Lincoln. Neither seem to care that their impact would really degrade the park for others.
- Sarah October 11, 2023 (10:13 am)
  
  Sure, or because the people who live in the Fauntleroy neighborhood would love options that aren’t 3+ miles away.
  - Denise October 11, 2023 (2:24 pm)
    
    Literally a ten minute drive to Westcrest. Wouldn’t that be better than taking something away from all the many, many people who love this park and currently use it? Seems like your games would be healthier and more enjoyable if it was done without hurting your own neighbors and tearing apart the community.
    - john October 11, 2023 (4:01 pm)
      
      Remarkably passionate hyperbole.
      But, nothing is being taken from this park and nothing is hurting the neighbors and tearing apart the community.
      We will all be looking back and marveling at such comments in the future.
- Jackson K October 11, 2023 (2:40 pm)
  
  Pickleball at Lincoln Park makes perfect sense to me.
- Erik October 11, 2023 (3:14 pm)
  
  Wow Denise they literally put their rationale for installing the pickleball courts on their page and the WSB has posted about it as well. So if you really think that “the only reason is because pickleball players want Lincoln park” then maybe you should re read these posts and educate yourself. 🙄

Derek October 10, 2023 (10:33 pm)

I agree with whoever mentioned basketball courts, we need way way more public courts. I don’t want to pay LA Fitness just to play around here. Would love a court in Lincoln Park or Alki! I do think there’s a racist element to keeping basketball court count down and tennis courts up. It’s obvious.

MrWatters October 11, 2023 (10:23 am)

There’s a pretty good number of courts in WSeattle, the reality is they’re sparsely used. I did everything I could to get my teen interested in the sport but he’d much rather play pick up soccer with his buddies ;)
Al King October 11, 2023 (3:25 pm)

Derek. A racist element?? Tell us more.

H October 11, 2023 (8:56 am)

The tennis courts are often vacant at Solstice because people work and because it rains a lot in Seattle. On weekends and in the afternoons/evenings when it’s dry, the tennis courts are often full. Personally I think it’s great that Parks is investing in pickleball courts as the residents of West Seattle will have more recreational opportunities. Isn’t that the purpose of the park system? This is not a Wilderness Area or a Wildlife Refuge. And Lincoln Park is huge and there will still be plenty of room for people to continue to enjoy the beautiful outdoor landscape.

AMC October 11, 2023 (11:08 am)

I’m so disappointed in the WS community when I’ve read these pickleball comments. People saying this is causing “shock, pain, and heartbreak.” Raging endlessly about a sliver of an extremely large park that should be used for everyone and will serve a community purpose, instead of storage, in an area already designated for and surrounded by recreation. The histrionics of “losing one of the only natural areas” when there is Schmitz Park, Camp Long, Fauntleroy Park, Longfellow Creek, Duwamish greenbelt etc etc etc. Even more so, as an educator I am deeply dismayed that this stirs more outrage and community mobilization than for the budget deficit and facing school closures.

IHeartBPP October 11, 2023 (12:19 pm)

Adults can hold multiple, disparate ideas in their heads and lives at one time. People can also champion for their own interests freely. Yes, there is outrage that an bureaucratic agency is moving forward with plans with limited (no?) public input that many believe will negatively impact them and their community. Labeling these responses as histrionics is insulting.

Also an Alki Resident October 11, 2023 (11:19 am)

The noise from the pickleball courts travel! People living by the old Alki elementary school can hear it. People walking in Schmitz Park can hear it, and all of us who live near by. If my windows are open just to get some fresh air, I can hear it. The Parks Dept. turned 100% of the Alki tennis courts into pickleball courts. How is that fair to the tennis players? Tennis players show up and leave because there are often 16 people on the courts already, and others sitting in chairs and on the benches waiting for turns. Pickleball noise can be heard for ~12 hours a day down here by the beach, and with all the yells, woops and arguments, it is nothing like the sounds of a tennis match. I am also an Alki resident and have lived here for 15 years. I wish the Parks Dept. would take away the pickleball lines from 50% f the Alki courts so one court would always available to tennis players. That would be fair. And pickleball inside of Lincoln Park instead of at Solstice? How selfish can be people be? Walk across the street pickleballers. Or just park over there. Play at Solstice and leave Lincoln Park alone!

Jackson K October 11, 2023 (2:49 pm)

I meant chasing your assailant than arguing over pickleball

Max October 11, 2023 (4:57 pm)

I grew up near Seward Park. Now have lived in Upper Fauntleroy for 33 years. There is NO Park in West Seattle that compares to Seward except Lincoln. Noisy pickelball will definitely make this a worse place to visit.

TrailRunnernBunner October 11, 2023 (4:58 pm)

I’ve never played pickle ball but I’m excited to try it now that there are some terrific options that are free to me as a citizen. Thank you to Seattle Parks and the folks who donated to this cause. I think this will increase the usage and make folks appreciate this beautiful, natural park!

Kathy October 11, 2023 (7:15 pm)

Tennis players, step up your game and show up in the same numbers as pickleball players! You can also reserve a court in advance for $10/hr (seems a little steep).Nature lovers, there is a program where KC Metro can bus you to trailheads to enjoy nature without being disturbed by people playing pickleball. Too bad it is only during the summer months. If you need a bigger park year round, there is Discovery Park. Or there is Schmitz Preserve Park closer to home which has no tennis courts in it. Of course the Seattle Process (or perceived lack thereof) always seems to demand a certain level of outrage.

Alayna October 12, 2023 (12:43 pm)

They’re already working to clear the area.

Sarah October 12, 2023 (1:40 pm)

Yes, the work started Tuesday morning. So excited! It already looks so much better. Unfortunately the scare tactics continue. On one WS Facebook group people are claiming “decades-old” trees are being removed. Shameless lies!
- Alayna October 12, 2023 (2:59 pm)
  
  Glad you’re excited for the ridiculous amount of noise it’ll bring to the peaceful forest.

JIll October 12, 2023 (2:21 pm)

Pickleball is great. Loads of fun. I’ve played it for a while. Yes, it is growing and yes, more courts are needed. And those courts should be at recreation centers NOT parks. Lincoln Park is such a special gem. It’s a natural habitat and an oasis. Don’t you all feel removed from the city when you walk through it? It’s so easy to feel the natural surroundings! Hearing the sounds generated from pickleball will change the beautiful peace and quiet that people get walking through a park. With density growing in Seattle, there are only a few places “on the westside” to enjoy the “peace and quiet”. Lincoln Park will no longer be one of them. Very sad.

Sarah October 12, 2023 (2:36 pm)

This is ridiculous. This is the admin of a huge West Seattle Facebook group fomenting conspiracy theories about the project, and banning people for asking questions of the supposed expert behind the petition. Admin in red, group member 1 in yellow, group member 2 in blue. And yes, admin is also joking about unhoused people camping on the courts.

Hey Jude October 12, 2023 (5:19 pm)

Ha, I saw that. Super sketch. Also noticed how people were talking about Parks “fast tracking” the project like that indicates nefarious criminal dealings. Obviously the Seattle way of hand-wringing for a decade is being violated; god forbid something simple happens quickly. Gotta love our NIMBYs.

Sarah October 12, 2023 (2:44 pm)

And another guy (green) telling people mature trees will be removed for the project.

john October 12, 2023 (3:27 pm)

Just today I found one of the notorious Kersti misleading flyers still conflating use of old paved courts for pickleball with a dog park.
It was taped to a pole at Kenyon & 35th and was not there yesterday.

I oppose a dog park within Lincoln Park because it won’t change off leash scofflaws in the on leash area and beach.
Same as now.
I support pickleball at the old courts. I suspect some of those thousands of those signing on may have a more nuanced take on two separate issues.

Non NIMBY Birder October 13, 2023 (2:57 pm)

Anyone still here? Kersti was wrong about the tree removal of course. She is not saying it outright, but I think maybe got called out too much for lying so did post this comment on Instagram.

Mel October 13, 2023 (4:32 pm)

Serenity now, people. Haven’t seen such kerfuffle over a northwest-championed athletic activity since cyclists became one of the largest political lobbying groups in the city. The easiest answer is to paint the lines on the tennis courts, then when the fad ends, Seattle can simply scrape them off and get back to normal, instead of having white-elephant dedicated pickleball courts all over the city.

waikikigirl October 13, 2023 (6:51 pm)

Mel, I don’t think Pickleball is a fad, its been around since 1965

https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/history-of-the-game/

Terry October 15, 2023 (3:44 pm)

This is a very bad idea to put pickleball courts at Lincoln Park. They will ruin the quiet esthetic of the park and make it unwelcoming to animals and birds, particularly nesting birds. There are courts at Delridge CC, High Point CC, Alki Playground, any tennis court can be lined for pickleball, too bad they didn’t just line the Solstice park tennis courts.

Sorry, comment time is over.