Protect Wallingford Playfield for All to Enjoy

Wallingford Playfield is under imminent threat of being converted by Seattle Public Schools (SPS) into an artificial turf sports field that would cover nearly 85% of current green space. This new field would be scheduled through Seattle Parks and Recreation — it would not have open community access. Wallingford Park Alliance needs your financial support to fight this plan. Please contribute to SAVE OUR PARK!

The Wallingford Park Alliance formed after the September 19, 2024, community meeting at Lincoln HS where SPS proposed a plan to co-opt the vast majority of green space at Wallingford Playfield for an artificial turf sports field. We are a concerned group of parents, children, neighbors, and businesses who value the park's open, natural space for spontaneous use. It is free for all, any time within the park's generous hours, and is used in a never-ending multitude of ways.

We gather with friends for picnics beneath the grove of mature and exceptional trees; we celebrate children's birthday parties at the recently renovated, state-of-the-art playground; we take refuge from the summer heat at the splash pool; we walk, run, and rehabilitate around the hard-packed gravel path; we fly kites, play soccer, catch, frisbee, Hacky-sack, finding new neighbors and friends along the way... sun up to sun down, year-round, without thinking twice about scheduling it. And we love it, just the way it is.

We acknowledge the need for Lincoln High School and Hamilton Middle School to have a dedicated sports field. We want SPS to consider, thoughtfully and in partnership with the community, the far better solutions that exist. Wallingford Park Alliance has identified a variety of alternate locations where an athletic facility could be created while still keeping our beloved park open to everyone.

We need your financial support to communicate the situation to the surrounding community and to retain professional legal advice. SPS plans to confirm site selection after an October community meeting (date TBD), with construction beginning April 2025. This is a very quick schedule, and we must ACT NOW.

Please donate today and help to ensure that Wallingford Playfield remains accessible to everyone. Join us in protecting this vital part of our community!

Go to Wallingford Park Alliance to learn about other actions you can take — sign the petition! Write letters! Get on the mailing list! The website will keep you informed about how your donation is being spent.

If we have any remaining funds after our campaign, we will donate them to Seattle Parks and Recreation to help in park maintenance.