Seattle Police officers from the Southwest Precinct and Andy Sheffer from Seattle Parks were in attendance at the Fauntleroy Community Association (FCA) meeting Jan. 9.

SPD reported that car thefts are up 40% year over year in West Seattle with Kia and Hyundai, often used in the commission of robberies.

Homicides are up too with 7 recorded last year, with much of this having to do with activity near Alki Beach.

An arrest of a carjacker involved in numerous incidents should result in a drop in these crimes.

SPD urges calls to 911 if you see something suspicious. Don’t be obvious by taking a picture, look for cameras nearby if there are any; Then call 911 and report what you observed.

The recent death of a bicyclist on Marine View Drive was discussed. Neighbors asked for speed bumps, noting that the road is a place known for speeding, and they were installed near the top of the hill but “that’s not where they they need to be”

They were advised to petition SDOT for more speed bumps.

The FCA was also advised to check with the Alki Community Council who were successful in getting speed bumps. 

The question of recruitment for the Seattle Police Department came up. “There is no easy answer. If there was we would have solved it by now.” They know that this is an issue locally and nationwide.

In reference to the BLM protests, CHOP and other public unrest they said, “2020 events are going to take a long time to work out.”

About the Pickleball courts.

Andy Sheffer from Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) made a presentation and answered questions.

In November the FCA heard from people who objected to the SPR plan to install a Pickleball court in Lincoln Park.

Sheffer said, "We need to develop a study on how to mitigate the impacts of Pickleball... If this study is going to be successful we have to collaborate from the beginning.”

Parks, he said, is currently working with the University of Washington Engineering Department on how reduce the noise from the courts.

He said the noise can be reduced by up to 70% using special rackets.

He got a call from the President of the National Pickleball organization regarding the designation of competitive paddles and recreation paddles. Sheffer suggested that the courts could require noise reduction recreation paddles.

The courts at the Southwest Athletic Complex on Thistle Street SW are an opportunity too.

“I’ve got my eye on Southwest” Sheffer said, noting he’s never seen it filled except for twice a year.

I'm trying to approach this from all avenues. We're not trying to force this on the community. I'm working with Birds Connect," and others he said.

"We want to take into account all the impacts."

“I know it’s not just the wildlife. It’s people enjoying the quiet, but it’s a regional park.”

"We don’t have designations for the environment. Maybe that could emerge from this. I don’t want to waste money on the study."

“I want to make sure the report supports goals beyond Pickleball.

“I think Pickleball is kind of cool. I see the people, I see the joy. But we’ve got to reduce the sound.”

You really need at least six courts he said.

Dual striping is an option, allowing tennis and pickleball courts to share the same space but it creates confusion and conflicts at times. 

Where else are they looking? SWAC and Lincoln Park are the only places they are considering at the moment.

He’s meeting with Seattle Public Schools in two weeks to discuss parking capacity at SWAC. “I’m hopeful that will go through,” Sheffer said.

Will a study as to who uses the courts be done?

There was a study done a few years ago he said he would find and share with the FCA.

FCA member Suzanne Spence asked about the existing surface in Lincoln Park. It once served years ago as a tennis facility but was converted to a environmental materials storage area. 

‘The best courts have a concrete base with an impervious asphalt overlay and a top coat,” Sheffer said.

There is no drainage built into the site.

What is driving the urgency behind SPR’s efforts to put the courts in Lincoln Park instead of Hiawatha and Solstice Park?

“Thats the dual striping’, Sheffer said, “We’re trying to create dedicated facilities without paving. It was not identified higher before  because at the time the leadership objected. New leadership chose otherwise, saying they could just have materials delivered instead of storing it on site.

"I would think if Parks was willing to pay for the courts at SWAC it would be a win-win."

Lighting is not under consideration at the Lincoln Park site. Sheffer pointed out lighting the path into the site as well would be required. “We’re not advocating for lighting.”

An audience member suggested the cost of a pickleball court from scratch standalone was approximately $300,000. 

“We have a huge demand for Pickleball,” Sheffer said, noting that there’s a push for the site at Walt Hundley Playfield to be made into a dedicated facility.

Sheffer said existing pickleball courts share space with tennis in the City of Seattle.

What about parking impacts at Lincoln Park? “It all depends on time of day,” said Sheffer.

The expansion and remodeling of the ferry dock at Fauntleroy will mean that the existing dedicated area for the ferry line is not going anywhere. Sheffer appeared to be unclear about parking at the Park, asking,”Is it an issue now?”

What about a reservation system? Sheffer said different days dedicated to Pickleball and Tennis makes more sense.

“It’s not just pickleball. Let’s get to the root of the issue. People like the quiet at Lincoln Park.”

The FCA actually contacted the owners of Westwood Village suggesting that in California and elsewhere Malls are installing indoor pickleball facilities. 

Regarding the legal letter regarding the SEPA, ADA and re-use of the space, Sheffer said, “This is your park and we hear you loud and clear. We are going in a good direction. You shouldn’t have to fight the city. I think we can work together to arrive at a good solution. We need a place for Pickleball and we need to preserve our parks.”

Sheffer said in closing the Off Leash dog park is most likely going to be at the West Seattle Golf Course site, with a public meeting coming up on that Feb. 8.