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After months of debate and advocacy from both the school and neighborhood communities, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) has announced its decision to move forward with building an athletic field for Lincoln High School. Parents of LHS students received an email on Wednesday, June 10th, from Superintendent Ben Shuldiner, who had announced the decision earlier in the day to Lincoln students that SPS intends to build a new sports field for Lincoln at N 50th Street and Aurora Avenue N. This is being framed as “based on the concept presented as Option B on April 25 with refinements to possible field orientation in response to community feedback.”

SPS is working with Seattle Parks and Recreation, which still needs to approve the plan. The timeline for completion is fall 2029.

The full text of the message received by LHS families follows.

Dear Lincoln families and staff,

Thank you to everyone who has been part of the process to locate and build a new athletic field and track for Lincoln High School. Lincoln is an amazing school, and I’ve come to understand that a core part of what has been missing is a place for Lincoln athletes to call home. After many years of conversation about this, it was clear when I arrived as superintendent four months ago that it was time to act.

After reviewing community input, working with Lincoln’s administration and athletics staff, and talking with a number of community groups, I am asking Seattle Parks and Recreation to partner with us on designing and building a full-size, multi-sport athletic field at N 50th Street and Aurora Avenue N, along with a planned renovation of the track at Lower Woodland Field #7.

Today, I made sure Lincoln students heard that news first because that’s who Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is here to serve.

This option is the right one for Lincoln students because it:

• Expands access by adding a new full-size athletic field available for both Lincoln and the broader community
• Meets program needs for soccer, football, ultimate, and lacrosse without displacing other users
• Minimizes disruption at Lower Woodland to focus on what’s needed for the track upgrade
• Preserves capacity by avoiding overcrowding at Lower Woodland

We still have work to do in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation.

One of the most important parts of the design process will be determining the best orientation for the field within the site with the goal of reducing impacts on tree canopy and surrounding natural areas. We heard that feedback clearly, and it will guide our work. The process will also include planning to support tree canopy and the forest floor, a traffic and parking study, ADA compliance, and an environmental impact statement that will include public comment. We’ll also be looking carefully at impacts to cross-country and cyclocross use of the area.

Community input has shaped this from the start, and I’m grateful to Lincoln families, Friends of Lower Woodland, Tree Action, and so many others who have stayed engaged along the way.

Today, SPS is submitting a letter to the Director of Seattle Parks and Recreation to move forward. We’ll present to the Parks Board this summer. We anticipate the field being ready for fall 2029 and the track sooner than that. I know 2029 feels far away. We will move as fast as we can and keep you posted along the way because our students deserve it.

Thank you to every student, parent, staff member, and community member who helped us reach this moment. We look forward to ongoing collaboration.

Sincerely,

Ben Shuldiner
Superintendent
Seattle Public Schools