Friends of Athletic Fields (FAF) is busy keeping up with the many activities and meetings associated with active recreational facilities around the Puget Sound region and state-wide. Here are some of the issues that have been our recent focus:

• Seattle City Council and Seattle School Boardmembers are up for election: The Parks Board has selected the seventh and final Boardmember - Donna Kostka. See Seattle Parks Board for more info.

• Magnuson Park - Athletic Fields and Wetland Project >> The Army Corps of Engineers finally issued the Wetlands Permit and Construction Bids to be opened February 1st!

• Seattle Schools Fields Use Fees >> Are you happy with the highest public field rates in the region?

• Seattle Parks & Schools Athletic Fields Upgrade Projects: Seattle City Council and the Mayor funded multiple field projects for 2008 including synthetic turf conversions and lighting upgrades - thank you. Biennial budget meetings are to be held this year - let your voice be heard.

We are active in many community and municipal organizations including Seattle Parks' Sportsfield Review Committee (SRC), King County's Active Sports Youth Recreation (ASpYRe) Commission, the ProParks Oversight Committee, and the Magnuson Park Project Advisory Team. We do all this while endeavoring to keep up with our own sports activities both as players and coaches. Please take whatever time you can to join us in helping the active recreation community improve the quality and quantity of the athletic fields available to both youth and adults. Feel free to contact us via email if you have any questions or want to become more involved.

Magnuson Park Goes to Bid - Finally!!!

After all these years, the Magnuson Park Athletic Fields & Wetlands Project has finally been advertised for bid the week of January 7, 2008. The wetlands permit was received from the Army Corps of Engineers and plans are for construction to start early 2008. Construction costs established at bid will dictate how much gets constructed, types of surfaces installed, lighting fixtures, etc. Bids will be opened on February 1st.

There will be major disruptions to field access with Sand Point fields and Shelter 4 out of service for all of 2008 and into 2009. First efforts will involve constructing the cross park trail from the parking lot by the Junior League Playground to the Sports Meadow to be completed late 2008. The internal parking lot by the tennis courts and that access road will be permanently removed to establish upland habitat areas.

Seattle Parks Strategic Action Plan

The Seattle Parks Department completed over 30 public meetings in December and January - thank you for participating or sending in your survey responses. Parks is now working on the first draft of the Strategic Action Plan. Public meetings will be held in March 2008 to receive comment on the draft document - stay tuned.

Seattle City Council

As of January 2008 the Seattle City Council will consist of new members Tim Burgess and Bruce Harrell, re-electeds Sally Clark, Jean Godden, and Tom Rasmussen, plus standing members Richard Conlin, Jan Drago, Nick Licata, and Richard McIver. Congratulations!

Council committees have been readjusted and Tom Rasmussen will chair the Parks & Seattle Center Committee, Jean Godden will chair the Finance & Budget Committee, and Tim Burgess will chair the Public Safety, Human Services & Education Committee.

See councilmember responses from November's election at: Seattle City Council Questionnaire Responses

Seattle will be conducting a public policy for the 2009-2010 biennial budget this year starting this spring - stay tuned.

Seattle School Board

Seattle Schools has already put new boardmembers into action; congratulations and welcome to the fray: Peter Maier, Sherry Carr, Harium Martin-Morris and Steve Sundquist. Follow these links for more info on the Seattle Schools Board: Peter Maier, District I; Sherry Carr, District II; Harium Martin-Morris, District III; Michael DeBell, District IV; Mary Bass, District V; Steve Sundquist, District VI; Cheryl Chow, District VII.

See boardmember responses from November's election at: Seattle School Board Questionnaire Responses

Check out the Current Issues page for the latest news.

(last updated January 11, 2008)