FOURTH OF JULY: Lights to stay on longer to try to deter fireworks use at some Seattle Parks fields

(From WSB files, reader photo of fireworks debris collected post-Fourth at Walt Hundley Playfield)

Though the Fourth of July is still three weeks away, Seattle Parks has gone public with this year’s plan for keeping lights on at some fields to try to deter fireworks use. This year’s plan includes lights for July 3 and 4 at the same four West Seattle fields as last year, but this time the lights at the three synthetic-turf fields on the list will stay on an extra four hours. Here’s the announcement – we’ve excised the non-West Seattle locations:

Two of West Seattle’s artificial-turf fields, Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex and Madison Middle School, are owned by Seattle Public Schools, which has not announced its plans (we’re checking). NCSWAC had last year’s most significant fireworks-related damage.

8 Replies to "FOURTH OF JULY: Lights to stay on longer to try to deter fireworks use at some Seattle Parks fields"

  • Oakley34 June 12, 2025 (12:03 pm)

    Should run the whole week of the 4th or at the very least thru that entire weekend.

  • Just wondering June 12, 2025 (1:23 pm)

    Having lights on longer will not stop them as they do it for the noise.  Maybe water drops?

    • The King June 12, 2025 (5:45 pm)

      Or nonstop Barry Manilow played over loudspeakers 

  • FedUp June 12, 2025 (2:49 pm)

    What we need is cops actively writing tickets for fireworks violations. No warnings. Just tickets. The pen will be busy if they hang out on Kenyon, south end of EC Hughes. Just sayin. 

    • Jethro Marx June 12, 2025 (3:55 pm)

      People with questionable judgement +
      Long day of drinking and getting sunburned +
      Mild explosives with questionable quality control +
      Darkness +
      Kids and Pets running all over +
      Police responding in force to write a ticket/civil infraction =
      a mix only internet commenters think will come out well

    • anonyme June 13, 2025 (6:17 am)

      I agree with FedUp.  If police showed up to even one or two of these events and issued maximum fines it would help to correct their current messaging.  Instead, SPD makes public announcements stating that they won’t enforce the law (WTH?) and warns law abiding citizens against making reports of this illegal activity.  Only in Seattle.

  • AJ June 12, 2025 (9:04 pm)

    This is great news.  Less fireworks should equal less trash.

  • Bill Nye June 13, 2025 (11:16 am)

    lol @ thinking that leaving the lights on will prevent people from lighting fireworks

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