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Residents, conservation groups urge council to reject pickleball courts adjacent to Magnuson Park wetland
Summary
Multiple residents and conservation advocates told the committee they oppose a proposed 25‑court outdoor pickleball facility at Magnuson Park because it would abut restored wetlands, generate sustained noise and reduce the park's value as a quiet wildlife and birding destination; commenters asked council to block any amendment to the park master"
During the Parks, Utilities, Technology Committee public comment period on May 14, multiple residents and conservation groups urged the committee to oppose Seattle Parks and Recreation plans to site a 25‑court outdoor pickleball complex adjacent to restored wetlands at Magnuson Park.
Joshua Morris and Tim Bernthal told the committee they oppose plans to place the city's largest outdoor pickleball facility—25 courts covering roughly 80,000 square feet, as described by commenters—directly adjacent to a sensitive restored wetland. Joshua Morris said Parks previously dropped an earlier eight‑court proposal near a designated priority habitat at Lincoln Park after community concern and warned the Magnuson plan repeats past mistakes. Tim Bernthal, speaking as both a pickleball player and a concerned resident, urged the committee to uphold the city's prior investments in wetland restoration.
Other in‑person and online commenters echoed the same themes: Anne Paul said the Magnuson wetlands cost Seattle taxpayers more than $3,000,000 to build and that Parks’ outreach omitted non‑paddle stakeholders; Tanya Anderson, representing Birds Connect Seattle, described the restored wetlands as a premier birding destination where quiet is essential for bird calls and habitat; Patricia Novotny said she had distributed informational cards in her neighborhood and that many nearby residents were unaware of the project, which she called a failure of due process.
Public commenters asked the committee to reject any amendment to the Magnuson Park master plan that would authorize courts at the site, to prioritize alternate locations in the park, and to protect the restored wetland habitat. Commenters also suggested alternative investments such as additional tree canopy in neighborhoods that lack shade and urged consideration of environmental justice impacts.
Committee Chair Joy Hollingsworth and council members acknowledged the comments. SPU and Parks staff were not presenting this item at the May 14 committee (the Magnuson comments came during public comment), and no formal council action on the master plan amendment occurred at the meeting. Several commenters said they would continue outreach and provide petitions and site walks for council members.
