June 2026

A deep divide has emerged in the West Seattle community over the future of local racquet courts at Whale Tail Park (Alki Playground) and beyond, as Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) prepares to host a series of public meetings this month.

The meetings are designed to present findings from initial public engagement and gather feedback on the 2026 Outdoor Racquet Sports Strategy, a plan that seeks to resolve friction by ending "dual use" — the practice of painting pickleball lines on existing tennis courts.

While SPR argues that dedicated courts will reduce conflicts such as "large groups encroaching into adjacent areas," the proposal has met fierce resistance from the pickleball community.

Anthony “Tony” Pisa, president of the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association (SMPA), argues that the current strategy unfairly targets specific neighborhoods and ignores the sport's explosive growth.

Information from South Seattle College

South Seattle College (SSC) celebrated the Class of 2026 on June 18 with a commencement ceremony at University of Washington’s Alaska Airlines Arena. The ceremony brought together graduates from South Seattle College, Seattle Central College and North Seattle College – all part of the Seattle Colleges District.   

SSC’s 627 graduates collectively earned 655 degrees and certificates (many students graduate with multiple certificates).  Awards include bachelor of applied science degrees for those furthering their expertise and earning potential, college transfer degrees for those planning to attend a four-year university as their next step, career training degrees and certificates for those seeking immediate skilled trades employment, and high school completion awards. 

Following the May 28 adoption of an updated Sound Transit 3 (ST3) System Plan, the agency is launching a series of community outreach efforts to guide the West Seattle Link Extension (WSLE) through its final design phase. This updated plan establishes a path to address a $34.5 billion financial gap while continuing to deliver voter-approved transit expansions.

Connecting at Summer Events

A primary focus of the agency’s immediate next steps is engaging the community through informational booths at regional events. These events offer residents the opportunity to meet project staff, ask questions, and provide feedback on the evolving designs. The public can find the Sound Transit team at the following locations this summer:

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has officially finalized the design for a new community park at 4723-4731 40th Ave SW and is currently soliciting construction bids. The 0.38-acre project, located in the high-density West Seattle Junction neighborhood, is scheduled to begin construction this fall 2026, with a grand opening anticipated for summer 2027.

A Vision Years in the Making

A female bicyclist was killed in a collision with a truck  shortly after 7:30 AM near the Fauntleroy Ferry dock on Monday morning. Traffic in the area was blocked and was being diverted down Fauntleroy and then up Brace Point Road. 

The truck involved was believed to be from Vashon Trucking and had come off the ferry though the exact circumstances of the collision were not immediately clear.

Emergency Medical personnel on the scene declared the bike rider dead on the scene.

The cyclist, described as an adult woman likely in her 60s, was riding eastbound on SW Wildwood Place when:

• She struck a parked car on the downhill/eastbound side of Wildwood.

• After the impact, she veered back into the roadway and into the path of an eastbound box truck.

• She was pronounced dead at the scene by Seattle Fire.

The transformation of Alki Elementary School is reaching its final stages, with the project team officially announcing that move-in is scheduled to begin on July 6, 2026. This milestone marks the culmination of an intensive construction period aimed at providing a modernized learning environment for the community.

During the past month, the project has achieved several critical benchmarks. Crews successfully completed solar system installation and a building envelope pressure test to ensure energy efficiency. Infrastructure work also progressed significantly with the completion of paving on 59th Ave. and the south side courtyard, as well as the installation of bioretention planter walls.

King County Metro officially ushered in the summer season today with a festive "Make it a Boat Day" launch event at Pier 50, featuring cultural exhibits, live music, and the unveiling of a new look for the Water Taxi.

The celebration began at 11:00 a.m. with remarks from King County Metro Deputy General Manager Ernest Kandilige and Marine Division Director Terry Federer. A highlight of the morning was the arrival of a Water Taxi sporting a vibrant new summertime boat wrap, signaling the start of a campaign to encourage residents and visitors to explore West Seattle and Vashon Island.