The decision reflects growing public sentiment nationwide that light and noise from sports field complexes are rapidly becoming primary sources of pollution in the U.S.

Listen to the sounds generated by a residential sports park. Experience living in neighborhood with a sports park.

A Seattle Deputy Hearing Examiner has determined that part of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for development of eleven lighted and synthetically turfed adult league sports fields at Warren G. Magnuson Park in Seattle is inadequate and must be remanded to the city's Parks Department for further work. The practical effect of her decision is to halt development of the 153-acre proposal which includes the sports field complex until a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) is prepared by the city and hearings are held.

James Benya, an internationally known lighting expert from Portland, OR, spoke out strongly in support of Friend’s opposed to the park position It's a prime example of how severely night lighting can destroy the character of a neighborhood and the habitats of humans and wildlife alike,” he said

According to Dr. Peter Dahl, a noise expert from the University of Washington, “The city’s proposal ignores EPA guidelines for community noise exposure, yet it is clear from the data that EPA guidelines will not be met with the proposed city plan for 11 fields to be illuminated until 11 PM.”

The decision reflects growing public sentiment nationwide that light and noise from major sports field complexes are rapidly becoming primary sources of pollution in the U.S. Seattle has a poor performance record when it comes to balancing the need for additional large, lighted sports facilities against the need to preserve what is left of dwindling natural habitat in urban areas such as Seattle.
 

Friends of Magnuson Park (FMP) is a group of citizens working to preserve, protect and enhance the natural beauty and habitats of Magnuson Park.  They are opposed to the city plan to build a giant sports field complex with artificial turf and artificial lighting, which will adversely impact the surrounding neighborhoods and wildlife areas.

They have hired an attorney and we are also working with an acoustic and lighting expert from the University of Washington; both will give testimony at the appeal hearing. 

Recently the Seattle City Council adopted resolution 30530 relating to use and improvement of Seattle's athletic field system. This resolution sponsored by president Peter Steinbrueck requires the Park department to recognize potential impacts on neighborhoods near athletic fields and to provide mitigation where necessary. 

The View Ridge Community Council and the Hawthorne Hills Community Club have supported Friends of Magnuson Park .  Other groups such as Dark Skies Northwest, the Seattle Audubon Society , Seattle Astronomical Society and Citizens Sand Point Planning Association also share their goals.

website www.saveourpark.org.

Friends of Magnuson Park

P.O.Box 51223

Seattle, WA