Seattle Public Schools Proposes New Athletic Field and Track for Lincoln High School
- Lincoln High School in Wallingford is working to secure an offsite location for an athletic field and track because there is not room to add a track or...
- Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Shuldiner announced his recommendation to partner with Seattle Parks and Recreation on designing and building a full-size athletic field at N.
- The Seattle Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners recommended on August 13, 2026, that the Interim Superintendent grant approval for Seattle Public Schools to begin the Environmental Impact...
Lincoln High School in Wallingford is working to secure an offsite location for an athletic field and track because there is not room to add a track or athletic field on campus, according to municipal and school records. Seattle Public Schools and city officials have advanced a formal proposal to build a multi-sport facility at N. 50th Street and Aurora Avenue N. alongside upgrades at Lower Woodland Park.
Superintendent Recommends Woodland Park Location
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Shuldiner announced his recommendation to partner with Seattle Parks and Recreation on designing and building a full-size athletic field at N. 50th Street and Aurora Avenue N., according to seattleschools.org. The decision followed community input, reviews by school administrators and athletic staff, and discussions with local groups. The proposal emerged from Option B presented on April 25, with later refinements made to field orientation to respond to neighborhood feedback, according to seattleschools.org. Superintendent Shuldiner stated in a community message that the location was chosen because it expands access for both students and the broader community while meeting program needs for soccer, football, Ultimate Frisbee, and lacrosse without displacing other users.
Parks Board and Interim Superintendent Approval
The Seattle Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners recommended on August 13, 2026, that the Interim Superintendent grant approval for Seattle Public Schools to begin the Environmental Impact Statement process for the multi-purpose athletic field at Woodland Park, according to seattleschools.org. Commissioners also recommended allowing the school district to begin renovating the track at Lower Woodland Field #7 while adding a practice area for field events. Following that recommendation, the Seattle Parks and Recreation Interim Superintendent formally accepted the proposal, according to parkways.seattle.gov. Seattle Parks and Recreation supports creating the new facilities to benefit Lincoln High School students and expand recreational opportunities for the wider public.
Next Steps and Environmental Review
The project will move forward through the State Environmental Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement process to study environmental effects associated with building the full-size field near the N. 50th St. and Aurora Ave. N. parking lot, according to parkways.seattle.gov. Design work will also focus on determining the best field orientation to minimize impacts on the local tree canopy and natural areas. Seattle Parks and Recreation appointed David Graves to serve as project liaison to advise on the environmental review, help scope consultant services, and participate in monthly meetings, according to parkways.seattle.gov. The agency will share quarterly updates during capital project presentations to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners, and the upcoming process will feature an environmental impact statement scoping meeting led by Seattle Public Schools that includes opportunities for public comment.
