Worst Thing to Happen to Alki

[DrewFree]

I am a part of the local beach volleyball community and have enjoyed Alki beach my entire life (grew up in WS), and I was extremely saddened & disappointed with the sand that was poured onto the beach recently. This past weekend the local volleyballers noticed the new construction-grade sand on the courts. While we appreciated that the City decided to fill in some of the sand, it made the situation worse. The “sand” is obviously from construction sites and is dangerous – it is filled with concrete chunks, glass, garbage, large rocks, gravel, wood chunks, plants, and animal feces. Most volleyballers experienced cuts & scrapes from the sand, and all of us were covered in black from the dirty gravel. While this weekend it mainly affected those just playing volleyball, it will soon spread to the rest of the beach.

I understand that the City is trying to save money, but now someone needs to rectify this situation. Who will want to walk, sit, or lay on this sand? Alki Beach isn’t just a favorite West Seattle spot, but for all those who live in the Seattle area. I would hate for people visiting Alki to have a bad impression of the beach because of this horrible sand.

I hope the City Park’s Department will take notice and fix this problem. Some in the volleyball community have already made sifters to clean out the courts, but more needs to be done.

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[MargL]

This is really good to know. Our preschool is planning a field trip/beach day at Alki tomorrow!

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[JanS]

Drew…have you contacted the city about this? One would assume that the city would know better than to use this type of sand. Perhaps they contracted out and aren’t aware that this was done. They need to know.

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[JayDee]

I used to play on those courts and the native dredged sand was bad enough–a silty sand that basically coated you in dust/mud, along with the random piece of hidden glass. I am also surprised they would put “fill” type sand at any beach, much less the VB court.

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Also, one wonders there are metals/contaminants in the sand if it contained that much debris? It would be interesting to know if there were specs for the sand, and if they had analytical showing the sand was clean (< MTCA Method A unrestricted use cleanup levels). My two cents.

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[WSB]

First I’ve heard of it. I already have something to ask the Parks Department about tomorrow (unrelated) and will ask about this too. So it happened between last weekend and the previous weekend?

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[DrewFree]

Yes, I believe it was put down at the beginning of last week. This last weekend was the first time that myself and much of the local beach volleyball community really “hit the sand” and played on it. The reports that came back from everyone were unanimous. The courts were better before, even in their “dished out” state. There’s got to be something that can be done to sift the pebbles and other debris out of this new “sand”.

I was advised to contact Bob Courtney (Seattle Parks Dept) regarding this matter. I called and left a message earlier today. Thanks Editor for bringing it up with the Parks Dept tomorrow.

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[jellyfish]

good god, that’s awful.

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[BDT]

I would also like to add that almost everyone who played volleyball at Alki over weekend ended up with some type of injury from the new “sand”. Many players had cuts and scrapes on their arms and legs that bled. Most people ended up with blisters on their feet. Personally, I ended up with a cut on my toe from something in the sand that sliced it.

I am also concerned about the possibility of other types of contaminants in this sand that we can’t see. There’s absolutely no way that this sand could’ve been checked for contaminants and been declared clean. This sand is NOT safe. In addition to the dangerous debris, we have no idea what else we are exposing ourselves to.

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[JoeDirt]

Agreed. I had cuts on my feet and almost couldn’t walk the next day. Many VolleyBall tournaments are conducted on this beach for youth over the summer and I can only imagine what the gravel and contaminants will do to a 12yr old’s feet after jumping around on it all day. Will the kids have to wear shoes now at the beach? It really was much better before, even though prior to this additional sand it was already subpar.But at least it wasn’t dangerous.

Something really has to be done about this.

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[DrewFree]

I just got a call from the Parks Dept and they said they’re working on getting the sand all sifted out. Appartently they got it from a third party contractor who wasn’t supposed to use that low-grade sand. Whatever the reason, it’s apparently being taken care of. Sweet…

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[WSB]

Here’s the reply I just got from Joelle in the parks communications dept:

“In an attempt to fill in the diminishing sand levels at Alki we recently brought in 100 yards of sand that upon delivery and dispersal turned out to be too rough. We have been getting a high number of complaints from the community. We are proceeding with screening, and — if necessary — will bring in finer grade sand. We will work with the vendor to recoup costs.”

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[jellyfish]

My son played at Alki beach last weekend & developed an all-over body rash. I strongly think it is due to our SUNSCREEN LOTION, but wanted to check with others to see if anyone else has developed a rash (just in case). Thanks!

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