Subscribe
Take a Step Towards Climate Justice in Seattle.
A consultant has presented Seattle Public Schools with three options to build athletic fields in Woodland Park for Lincoln High School. Every plan removes some of Seattle’s oldest, and most historic trees.
In 2022, voters passed a $5 million levy to build athletic fields for Lincoln High School – and hired Shiels Obletz Johnsen, a consulting firm specializing in "challenging, controversial" projects, to get the job done. Initially, the firm chose Wallingford Park, but a strong reaction from the Wallingford community on losing their only accessible greenspace led Shield Obletz Johnsen to pivot to Woodland Park instead.
Woodland Park is home to huge, historical trees that are deeply rooted in Seattle’s history. The trees that line Green Lake Way were planted as part of the 1910 Olmsted plan. Trees in upper Woodland Park (up the hill from the tennis courts) are reminders of the ancient native forest that used to be Seattle. These mostly native trees–including cedars, pines, Douglas firs, and big leaf maples–are roosting spots for bald eagles and home to wildlife that call Seattle home.
Yet, in the three (yes, three!) proposals the consulting firm developed, none manage to retain these trees. Nor have the consultants meaningfully engaged with the community: only the Lincoln High School community was granted two public meetings where they were presented the consultant’s options. No other stakeholders have been asked for input. No other options were allowed for discussion.
Despite repeated requests, Tree Action Seattle has been unable to obtain a complete list of the trees to be removed, or to have the comment deadline extended.
Friends of Lower Woodland Park (FOLWP) has put forth alternatives that may save more trees – we don’t know for sure, because the consultant will not study them. FOLWP is pushing for a “community option along with parks designating a section of the park to be permanently designated and managed as protected habitat, with a binding mitigation plan that includes long-term stewardship, native restoration, and legally enforceable conservation protections.”
If Shiels Obletz Johnsen can come up with three designs, surely they can come up with one more. Join us in asking for a design that incorporates nature. Email Paige McGehee, Shiels Obletz Johnsen’s consultant, and submit a comment:
Please send an email to Paige McGehee of Shield Obletz Johnsen, and copy city leaders included in this project: namely Richard Best with Seattle Public Schools (SPS) capital projects, Benjamin Shuldiner, SPS superintendent, and David Graves with Seattle Parks and Recreation.
To: paigem@sojsea.com (consultant with Shiels Obletz Johnsen)
CC: sea@shielsobletzjohnsen.com (Shiels Obletz Johnson), rlbest@seattleschools.org (SPS) boshuldiner@seattleschools.org (SPS superintendent), david.graves@seattle.gov (Seattle parks planner)
Dear Ms McGehee,
I am urging you to rethink all current Woodland Park field options, all of which remove historic and mature trees; even those planted as part of the 1910 Olmsted plan.
This isn’t just about trees. It’s about maintaining the crucial ecological benefits Woodland Park provides to people and wildlife during our current biodiversity and climate crises.
It is deeply concerning that only one stakeholder group has been engaged and that no alternative designs have been meaningfully considered. The lack of transparency, including the absence of a complete tree removal list and a constrained comment period, undermines public trust.
Please: pause this process, release the full information on development plans, and seriously evaluate alternatives to preserve trees. Seattle’s last remaining greenspaces should not bear the burden of avoidable impacts when better solutions may exist.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
.png)