Guest columnist
Magnuson Park compromise respects concerns of all

By David J. Della
Special to The Times

JIM BATES / THE SEATTLE TIMES Field advocates and critics crowd a recent public hearing on Magnuson Park.

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Thousands of people have been writing and e-mailing about Sand Point Magnuson Park for months. City Council members have received a steady stream of visitors pleading their case. More than 500 concerned citizens came to the public hearing held a month ago. Around the city, signs have competed for public attention: "Save Magnuson Park" vs. "Rebuild Magnuson Park."

I read the letters and the e-mails, listened to the voicemails and the opinions expressed during the public hearing, and met with the various stakeholders. With Councilwoman Jean Godden (a Sand Point area resident), I walked Magnuson Park and visited ballfields at night at Lower Woodland, Nathan Hale and Marymoor Park.

Eventually, all the listening must result in making choices. I have carefully weighed the many issues and urge my colleagues and the public to support a compromise:

• Sports meadow redevelopment. The one issue that everyone — neighbors, sports players and environmentalists — seems to agree on is redeveloping the sports meadow right away. This meadow is pocked with ruts and rocks. The meadow is proposed to stay as grass and unlit, accommodating the same number of sports fields as today. The Parks and Recreation Department can begin improvement as early as this summer if the council agrees to proceed.

	David J. Della

• Development of seven lighted ballfields with synthetic turf. Modern technology offers better synthetic surfaces that purportedly are easier on athletes' knees and provide some filtering advantages for the wetlands. New technology also presents better lighting that is softer and better directed on field play. Bringing the number of lighted fields down to seven from the proposed 11 is a concession to neighbors who will live with the impacts and is consistent with earlier council direction on this issue.

• Lights off. Field lights should be turned off at 10 p.m., not 11 p.m. as proposed in the original master plan. Residents at Santos House and the adjacent neighborhoods should enjoy the benefit of at least one night, perhaps Sunday, when lights do not come on.

• Financial plan. The city currently has funding for only a portion of this master plan, but that does not mean we should not be visionary. A financial plan for the unfunded fields and certain plans for the wetland development must be submitted to the City Council by the Parks and Recreation Department for public review before moving forward.

• Wetlands monitoring and adaptive management plan. The city must establish a monitoring and management plan to ensure that the wetlands are successfully re-established and thriving.

• Annual sports fields report. The Parks and Recreation Department must submit a plan each year, starting with the 2005-2006 budget, that (a) links proposed field improvements to unmet demand trends; (b) lists priorities and timelines for sports field improvements in other parts of the city; and (c) demonstrates major improvements in scheduling field use.

These recommendations for a master plan allow the development of more fields than currently exist at Magnuson Park. Such a plan acknowledges that the sports fields at Magnuson Park will add to the vibrancy of this city, and that measures need to be in place to lessen the negative impacts of building and using these sports fields on nearby neighborhoods, wetlands and natural habitat.

Finally, this plan calls for sound fiscal management. We only have funds for three or four new fields and development of certain wetland areas. However, I envision that park enthusiasts will join the city to find the resources needed to build a comprehensive, multiuse park for all of our residents to enjoy.

I invite environmentalists, particularly the Seattle Audubon Society, to continue their stewardship of Magnuson Park and its wetlands and habitat. I ask the park's neighbors to let some development occur. I call upon the sports leagues, especially youth leagues, to develop strong programs throughout the city. And, I challenge the Parks and Recreation Department to step up its service to all residents by maintaining and improving fields throughout the city.

Sen. Warren Magnuson was known to be a workhorse, accomplished legislator, effective advocate and committed public servant, and he once said, "When you've got something good to be done and you can do it quickly, well, you do it."

Let's do it and move ahead to get Magnuson Park developed for all of Seattle.

Seattle City Councilman David J. Della chairs the council's Parks, Neighborhoods and Education Committee. He can be reached at david.della@seattle.gov, or (206) 684-8806.