Neighbors, soccer players clash over lights at Magnuson Park

For many people living around Magnuson Park, the issue of whether the city builds a ballfield complex there, complete with high-wattage night lights, has come down to "us vs. the soccer players."

But the complexities of a high-density urban lifestyle only began to surface last night as people on many sides of the issue filed into the South Lake Union Park armory to try to persuade the city parks board to side with them.

"We play all over the place, and we have to drive and drive and drive all over the place," said Joel Mulder, who plays on a soccer team called the Tax Avengers.

More soccer teams are requesting playing time each season, and the city's recreational leagues are scheduling thousands of games a year -- many of those for adults.

And game time is critical at night for adult players because Seattle always gives preference to the children who play and practice in the daylight, sometimes until 8 p.m.

Players hope that the city's plans to build lighted fields will allow folks to play in town. They now drive as far as Redmond and Lynnwood to catch a game.

At first, it seemed that the biggest argument against building extra ballfields and lights at Magnuson Park would be the damage to birds and woodland creatures that now make the old naval station their home.

The lights at night would disrupt feeding, sleeping and mating habits for animals, said Lauren Braden on behalf of the Seattle Audubon Society.

But it turns out that the residents are highly concerned about the effects of noise and glare, especially for homes on the ridge overlooking Magnuson, which creates a natural amphitheater that magnifies sounds from the park.

"There are other components to a healthy quality of life that are equally important," said Al Skaar, a neighbor who said he recognized the need for fields, but thinks the neighbors should not have to bear noise and light pollution from the park.

"Every one of us has a right to a certain amount of peace and quiet during the day and at night."

Residents who oppose the lights showed up wearing white chest signs that read, "I am a neighbor. I vote." Many of them also coordinated with white back signs that continued, "and I will remember."

Residents supporting the new ballfields reminded commissioners that they, too, vote.

The plan would move toward final approval this fall, unless an appeal is made, said Eric Friedli, project manager for the park.

The deadline for appeal is Monday, he said.

By the turnout and the commentary during last night's public hearing, an appeal would seem likely.

Before opening a public hearing on the Magnuson proposal, parks commissioners approved a long-awaited plan to improve Jefferson Park, which forced residents to compromise between natural areas, fields and the gold course.

City leaders plan to renovate and rebuild many of Seattle's parks over the next decade. The ambitious improvement plan would double available playing time on city athletic fields.

Lights at Magnuson would add the most extra capacity, with 11 synthetic-surfaced fields available for night play.

The plan would also create a 65-acre wetlands preserve and a sports meadow. It would be developed in five phases over 12 years.

P-I reporter Candace Heckman can be reached at 206-448-8348 or candaceheckman@seattlepi.com

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