1A. Lincoln High School’s north lot: ground level

• Restore the asphalt parking lot into a year-round activity field adjacent to the school.
  • A 100-yard field (like a football field without end zones or sidelines) would fit exactly on the current parking lot.
  • It would be smaller than a full regulation-size football or soccer field.
  • School staff parking could be accommodated on and around the campus. The school could also reclaim part of the adjoining, underused parking lot that it owns and currently leases out.
  • Lincoln’s PE classes, student-athlete practices, marching band drills, and more could be right on school grounds.
• Hamilton students could easily share this field since it’s a short two-block walk.
  • This would help Wallingford Park regrow healthy grass.
• Adds new field resources for Seattle Public Schools.
• Lincoln’s football teams would use an interim field—Queen Anne Bowl, or another option below—for full-field practice and games until Memorial Stadium re-opens in 2027.

1B. Lincoln High School’s north lot: elevated structure

• An elevated field was proposed in 2016 by the School District’s architects.
• A two-story-tall structure—partly above the gym and the school-owned adjoining parking lot—could accommodate a full football field with narrower-than-regulation sideline areas.
  • Team areas and spectators could be accommodated beyond the end zones.
  • Parking could remain, or a ground level activity field (option 1A) could also be included.
• Being on campus is the closest option for Lincoln football and soccer practices.

2. Woodland Park’s unimproved parking lot at 50th & Aurora

• This gently sloping gravel parking lot could become a new regulation-size football field.
  • The field could run north-south or east-west. Leveling would remove some trees.
  • There’s ample parking on the adjacent loop. A 1-story or underground structure could preserve more parking for Woodland Park visitors and game attendees if funding allows.
  • Lighting at this location along Aurora would have little community impact.
• Student athletes can easily jog here (0.6 miles) from Lincoln. No bussing required.
• Increases Seattle Parks & Recreation’s inventory of field resources.
• Would provide Lincoln a home field for football practices and games.

3. Queen Anne Bowl

• A regulation-size football field fits within the existing track.
• Existing artificial turf (installed 2020) could be extended by 25 yards for football field use.
• The track can also be upgraded, benefiting more athletes.
• Lincoln High School’s attendance area encompasses Queen Anne: less bussing is needed when students live nearby.
• Location is a short drive (or a longish walk 1.8 miles ~ 40 minutes) for athletes from Lincoln High School.
• Parking / bus lot is adjacent, at Seattle Public Schools’ Cascade Parent Partnership.
• Installing lights would add year-round evening usability to this field.

4. Gasworks Park’s little used grassy area next to the parking lot

• There’s a grassy wedge west of Gasworks parking which is pretty lightly used.
  • Big enough for full size field if one pushs Northlake Place a bit south and west.
  • Alternatively one can easily fit a full size field in the middle of the crescent area and reconfigure the parking lot to occupy the wedge shaped ends to the east and west of the new field.
• Student athletes can jog or walk here (1 mile; 20 minute walk) from Lincoln. No bussing required.
• Increases Seattle Parks & Recreation’s inventory of field resources.
• Would provide Lincoln a home field for football practices and games.
• Might have scheduling conflicts when large events reserve Gasworks Park (though most of these occur in summer when school is not in session).

5. Woodland Park’s parking lot at 59th & Aurora

• This gently sloping parking lot could become a new regulation-size football field.
  • Leveling would remove some trees.
  • Lighting at this location along Aurora would have little community impact.
• It would neighbor other sports pitches (lawn bowling, bocce, and horseshoes).
• Location is walkable (1.2 miles) for athletes from Lincoln High School.
• Increases Seattle Parks & Recreation’s inventory of field resources.

6. Lower Woodland Park’s soccer field #2 or #7

• Large, lit artificial turf fields are already established for sports use.
• Existing artificial turf (installed 2020) could be extended by 10 yards for regulation-size football field(s).
  • Accommodating football does not add a new sports field, so some current users would be displaced to fields with capacity.
  • A new ground level activity field at Lincoln (option 1A) minimizes scheduling impacts.
• Location is walkable (0.6 – 0.8 miles) for athletes from Lincoln High School.
• These are Lincoln High School’s current home fields.
• Project plans already upgrade the existing track at field #7.

7. Green Lake Park’s athletic fields

• Fields are already laid out for sports use. Regulation-size football field striping could be added.
• Area is large enough to accommodate both athletic fields and open green space.
• Location is walkable (1.9 miles) for athletes from Lincoln High School.
• Installing artificial turf for multiple sports would add year-round usability to a set of existing fields.
  • Lights could impact enjoyment of Green Lake Park. Requires community input.

8. Interbay Athletic Complex’s northwest fields

• Fields are already laid out for sports use. Regulation-size football field striping could be added.
• Borders Lincoln High School’s Queen Anne attendance area: less bussing is needed when students live nearby.
• Installing artificial turf for multiple sports would add year-round usability to a set of existing fields.
• New lights and ADA improvements have already been added—this could help the project get done by fall 2025 for Lincoln football home games.

Choosing one of these alternative field locations displaces no Wallingford Park users—a win for both schools and neighborhood greenspace needs.

Let’s maintain Wallingford Park and support Lincoln High School athletics with a new field.

Everyone should win!

This page is based on good-faith best-facts data our research and analysis team had from SPS, SPR, primary data, and other research, at the time of publishing. If you have new facts that you think should inform this page, we want to know.