FOLLOWUP: Hiawatha Playfield update

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2:20 PM: Last week, Seattle Parks said work would finally begin today on the turf-replacement project at Hiawatha Playfield, so we went over to see whether that had indeed happened. The photo above is what we found – no sign of anything yet, and the field remains wide open. FieldTurf USA won the contract with a $1.4 million bid after the city had scratched the first round of bids (which the same company won for a similar price). Parks says the work should be complete in September – assuming it does start soon. Meantime, the Hiawatha Community Center and Play Area projects have yet to go out to bid, so construction is still a ways off. (Parks says the Hiawatha wading pool WILL be open this year, though – first day June 29.)

4:28 PM: Commenter Junctioneer says a segment of fencing at the field’s south end is new. We’ll be checking back tomorrow to see if we find crews there then.

junctioneer June 12, 2023 (3:57 pm)

Is it fair to say work hasn’t started when half the field is now surrounded by a new temporary fence? It probably warrants at least a mention, as since that fence went up today it could indicate more fence coming up very shortly.

WSB June 12, 2023 (4:21 pm)

Hi, I was there around 2 pm, scanned the field from the north end on foot (that’s the perspective from which the photo was taken), drove around to look at the south end. Some fencing at the south end but the field was open and there was no sign of crews, so if they were there today, they ended early. We’ll go by in the morning tomorrow. Will also amend the headline here in recognition of your point – TR
- junctioneer June 12, 2023 (5:39 pm)
- junctioneer June 12, 2023 (5:39 pm)
  
  yup, if I recall correctly, the entire east perimeter was fenced as well as half of the north and half of the south, in a C shape.
  - WSB June 14, 2023 (4:58 pm)
    
    Most of the field was still accessible Monday afternoon. By Tuesday evening, it wasn’t. So things are now fully under way.

Chris June 12, 2023 (6:54 pm)

Hello, probably clarified in a previous story, but for last year’s float dodger 5K, they held all the vendors/started and finished the race at Hiawatha. Do you know if they are moving to a new location?

Admiral-2009 June 12, 2023 (10:11 pm)

Fencing up at 1830, field was accessable tonight

WSB June 12, 2023 (10:14 pm)

Yeah, we walked a few laps around 7:30 for a baseline to refer to when we go back to check. The fence mostly lined the east side, outside the track, with a few sections crossing the track
- Not_A_Hater June 13, 2023 (12:44 pm)
  
  Any news about the Delridge Playfield turf project? It is on the same timeframe as Hiawatha.
  - WSB June 13, 2023 (12:49 pm)
    
    Not the exact same timeline – Parks told us last month they were likely to overlap for about six weeks.
    
    https://wsb.blackfin.biz/2023/05/followup-two-west-seattle-playfield-turf-project-likely-to-overlap/
    
    Of course, Hiawatha has since started later than then-promised, so … I’ll check.

S. Nickels June 13, 2023 (3:15 pm)

I feel the need to reply regarding the Hiawatha Stabilization Work on the Center and the Playfield. The City is so behind and whatever date they have given me in the year that we have been communicating on the status of these projects, they don’t come close to what may happen. I checked with the project officer yesterday and their original plan to have the bidding done by spring and work started now has shifted to maybe having the bid complete by November and maybe work after the first of the year in 2024. This is an historic site and it has been ignored. I have emailed Mayor Harrell City Councilmember Herbold and to no avail to get some priority put on these projects and get them moving forward. Every reason for delay has to do with departments not being checked with or things changed. The silos of the City are in place and no one seems willing to get them to work together. In the meantime the park is not being maintained and the citizens wait. Remember, this is 2008 levy money they are trying to use. Really, this is 2023. As the project manager told me yesterday, it has taken 5 years to get the FEMA money which is just a small portion of the project. I’d like to know who will be an advocate for this park at the City? I sure hope all the candidates for City Council from District are being asked about this.

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