Field of dreams: Hiawatha gets its new greenery

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

Thanks to Tim McMonigle of West Seattle Soccer Club for the tip that Hiawatha’s starting to get its new turf, part of field improvements that should be complete next month. Tim added: “I talked to one of the workers there and they said they’ll probably have the turf laid in the next week, then another couple weeks after that for all the prep work (lines glued, spreading rubber pellets). The backstops and track are all installed, although they still need to put rubber on the track. This will be fun watching the dramatic transformation over the next month.” As the official page for the project puts it, the finished fields will include “full-size facilities” for soccer, baseball and football.

miws October 6, 2009 (9:59 pm)

Dang! I walked by Hiawatha on the California side just yesterday, and fully realizing the work was going on, didn’t even think of actually cruising through to check out the work in progress! Duh!

Although, I have walked through maybe two or three times in the last few months.

Mike

Forest October 6, 2009 (11:35 pm)

Call me negative, but I really do hope they’ll be installing some kind of security fence around the finished field. Otherwise I fear it will be only a matter of weeks till some clown in a stolen vehicle puts skid marks all over the beautiful new surface.

mark October 7, 2009 (6:09 am)

Forest, its fake grsass this time so lets hope they don’t tag it or burn (melt) it.

LTF October 7, 2009 (9:21 am)

@Forest: You are not being negative, I think fencing is a valid concern. I live near Hiawatha and have seen remains of donut spinning on the field(s) over the years. The P&R website does not mention plans for a fence. I was hoping for fencing similar to the one lining Cal Anderson Park’s synthetic field on Capital Hill–except 1/2 height.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1635+11th+Ave+seattle,+wa&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=37.683309,71.542969&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=1635+11th+Ave,+Seattle,+King,+Washington+98122&ll=47.615271,-122.319337&spn=0.00098,0.002183&z=19&layer=c&cbll=47.615269,-122.319452&panoid=KzoL7VfAvrsK4zz5VJS0NQ&cbp=12,3.22,,0,5.77

It’s going to be a beautiful field.

Tim McMonigle October 7, 2009 (10:15 am)

My understanding that this (and all new turf fields around Seattle) will have some barrier around it so cars can’t get on, but people can (unlike Sealth, which can be locked down pretty hard at times).

I know there was significant discussion about this in the design phase, whether with fencing or rocks, so I’m sure there will be something.

And yes, it will be beautiful when it is done.

Howard Chilcott October 7, 2009 (10:28 am)

Please hurry :-) !!! Its getting dark and we need our lighted fields!

LTF October 7, 2009 (1:28 pm)

TimM: thanks for the info! Also, below are statements from the meeting notes .pdf found on the park renovation project page stating similar concerns.

Comment: “Fencing is needed as rogue cars will likely vandalize the renovated playfield and field events area back of the community center.”

Response: “Thanks for the heads up. Fencing is not in the project budget at this time. Parks will look into the issue.”

Diane October 7, 2009 (1:43 pm)

I missed the design phase on this, so curious what others/mainly parents of kids who will play on this field think, about the health aspects of artificial turf; there are parents of kid soccer players protesting artificial turf in other parts of puget sound, for health reasons
~
from what little I’ve read about the toxins that erupt from artificial turf, it can be very harmful to children’s health
~
sure it looks good, but how does if affect our kid’s health?

WSB October 7, 2009 (2:07 pm)

There’s been a lot of discussion about that but I have heard it explained clearly and frequently that they are using new types of turf that supposedly do not have the same issues as past ones. From friendsofathleticfields.com re: Hiawatha:
.
>>>This project includes upgrading the sand surface with synthetic turf and replacing lighting with modern fixtures at this West Seattle sportsfield. Ted Holden is the project manager. The new synthetic turf will be certified lead-free as is all new synthetic turf installed by the Seattle Parks Department.<<< . Someone more closely involved with the project may have more on what specifically is being installed.

ForSoccer October 7, 2009 (2:10 pm)

Here you go Diane….

http://xcurmudgeon.blogspot.com/2007/10/grass-v-artificial-turf-which-is-more.html

Alvis October 7, 2009 (9:52 pm)

Because it made perfect sense yet seemed to escape everyone else’s notice during the planning meetings, I most appreciated when one of the WSHS coaches asked that field renovations include a outdoor water faucet for teams to use during workouts.

Tim October 7, 2009 (10:21 pm)

Does anyone know what they are doing on the little field on the West side of the community center? I see they have dug a long trench by the old shot put field.

LTF October 8, 2009 (12:04 pm)

@Tim- According to the project page:
“The existing field events located on the east side of the Community Center will also be renovated.” See top of pic in the link below showing shot put and long jump area:

http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/_images/maintenance/HIAWATHA-CONCEPT.jpg

casey October 8, 2009 (9:35 pm)

OMG! Really health concerns … is there any soccer players here. Do you remember playing on Cinetrex (ie crushed brick) and I am sure the last field made of dirt/rocks/crushed tire was super healthy.

Grass of course is ideal, but we can’t maintain grass fields in Washington and still play year round on this.

This is SUCH an improvement over the old field. I can’t imagine anyone protesting this. (Sorry, I don’t have usually such a strong reaction, but growing up playing on the brick & dirt fields of Washington State my entire life this stuff rocks.)

Montana October 24, 2009 (8:41 pm)

I am also concerned about fencing. I live across street since 1991 and any time it snows, people bring their sno machines and tear up everything, i have called police but they never come. So if they can get a sno machine in there – if there is no fence, it is all over, plus lots of cars driving everywhere all over new grass that gets installed….many times during the year…..grrrrr

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