Sound off!

Here's your chance to be heard. Click the comments link at the bottom of this post and tell us what you think about the sale of 60 Acres South to the Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association.

Comments

[Steve Situm]

The area has many fields where soccer can be played. The area in question has only ONE large open field that can be used for model aviation.

In an earlier post, Karen Corea rationalized using the public resource for only one purpose by stating "the number of adequate fields/facilities for soccer in King County does not meet the current need." I read every post so far, and no one that is in favor of the LWYSA proposal has given any evidence that there is actually a shortage of soccer feilds, or what that shortage is. One soccer mom's opinion does not constitute a study that puplic policy should be changed for.

Even if there is a shortage, that shortage could never compete with the shortage of RC feilds. That number is one. Therefore the comparative argument is invalid.

[Dan Le Corbeiller, MD]

Here's a link to our flying field in Nashville, Tennessee, where we have had a fantastic, dedicated flying field since 75 years ago.

http://www.ewmaclub.org/

I don't think the people who use the 60 acre field are anywhere close to being organized enough to protect their own interests, and as a result, will probably loose their field.

[Grant Domer]

It would be a sad day to see essentially the last of open urban area be used for a single purpose. There is really no other place within a reasonable distance with such versitile use. I remember when I was younger, the ONLY place I could go to use my model rockets and planes was 60 acres. If this land changes to the way of the soccer field, there will be nowhere, unless of course somebody is willing to drive for hours. Even then, not all open space allows these hobbies.
Sure, those who are proponents say that the land can be used for other activites 9 months of the year, but it simply isn't true. Most soccer fields are used year-round for just soccer through various organizations. It's nearly impossible to see a month where there isn't soccer.
Everywhere you go, there are soccer fields. Within a 5 mile radius of where I live, there are at least 30 soccer fields. And there will never be enough. There won't be enough in Lynnwood, Bothell, Redmond, Kirkland, Bellevue, Seattle, Tacoma, everywhere. Just becuase it is popular doesn't mean that this land should cede to it.
Many activities are greatly boosting in popularity, and many aren't as fortunate to have the ability for expansion, especially mountain activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, and climbing. Because of that, they have very costly consequesnces. Soccer does not.
Look somewhere else. Don't take the only piece of land in the region with its versitility.

[Mike Pearson]

There are literally hundreds of soccer fields throughout the county, with many in King County parks (remember that other soccer clubs have historically used school fields on the weekends when the schools aren't using them).

There is exactly *one* field within the county parks system where it is legal to fly model rockets, and that is 60 Acres South.

I have been flying model rockets at 60 Acres for several years, both on my own and as a member of 2 different hobby rocketry clubs. We have always had a good working relationship with SASS, and shared the field and airspace. I would be willing to go out on a limb and state that the county has no idea how many people use this field for various passive use recreational activities, since probably 95% of the use is unscheduled, walk-on, onesie-twosies type of use. (KC Parks told us a few years ago that they only knew what the field was used for when it was scheduled and reserved.)

I feel that it is important to keep this valuable resource available for all of the passive recreational users, especially since it is currently the ONLY place within the parks system where some of those acivities are allowed.

Now that they want the rest of the field, LWYSA suddenly decides to let people use the North side. I think we should let them show that they can be good community stewards of the North half for a few years before deciding to turn over the rest of a public recreation facility to them, lest we suddenly experience another 11-year lockout.

[b_rorabaugh]

Hey, soccer friends, put lights up and play into the evening. Or take turns at the discipline of crew, and start early. But allow the rest of us who play outside the chalk lines, away from the win/lose options, and off the bench to have some nearby options and destinations.
Save Sixty Acres South for "diversity," for Capture-the-Flag and kites, or for doing almost nothing. While soccer does involve the first level of brain function,that of "fight or flilght, the spirit of less structured "play" involves a less-used outer layer of thought. This is where imagination leads to innovation. Thus, open spaces, like the magic of woods when we were kids, may be more important to our culture and future than any one sport.

b_rorabaugh

[John Comes]

Text of email sent to King County Council and other execs:

Dear Sirs

It was with great concern I read the article in Friday’s Seattle Times regarding proposed changes to the 60 Acres Park complex.

My family discovered the park in the past few years as our oldest boy expressed an interest in space and rocketry. At five years of age, he could name all of the seven original Mercury astronauts. He would sit wide-eyed with rapt attention when the networks would rebroadcast Apollo 13. Like most parents, we have encouraged and supported his pursuit of knowledge. With our help and guidance, he has ventured into the basic stages of model rocketry.

Our first launch was a Marymoor Park. However, the mixed-use facilities and lack of a wide-open field dedicated to such activities made the park less than ideal. On a trip to a local hobby store, we were told about the 60 Acres Park South field. Since then we have spent many wonderful afternoons at the park – even arranging a birthday rocket party and launch for a number of his classmates. Looking at our photos from those days, we see a proud young boy, excited at the promise and thrill of sending his creations into big blue sky. While we take pride in his growing athletic talents, we are more proud of his intellectual gifts. Given the news around our state and country about children falling behind in math and science, we see the proposal to limit places where a child’s mind can grow and soar as a bad idea.

Having such an area is a wonderful part of living in King County. It is very unique and should be valued the same as soccer fields, bike trails, baseball diamonds, lakes and the like. The changes proposed would forever change this park. Traffic and noise would increase. I suspect litter would as well. Our experience is the rocketeers and soaring folks have been excellent stewards to the field. We regularly see people tracking down the minute wadding debris and picking up litter left by others.

I respectfully request you rethink the proposed changes and keep 60 Acres Park configuration and designated use as is.

Regards,

[Gary Fogal]

This is a huge WIN and maybe a tiny loss. The county has an obligation to serve as many of its constituents as possible, so if you look at how many kids will use these fields annually, there's just no way the county can rationalize giving this resource over to a miniscule group of hobbyists (250:1 is a difficult fact to ignore).
The real blame lies with the Redmond city council, who refused to allow the development of a weed-filled bog (Muller Farm) into desperately needed soccer fields...but now they're going to allow LW Tech to put up buildings?? How is that agricultural use?

[John M. Badley]

This unique, serene location is perfectly suited to its current use. To relocate current users is unnecessary and unwise.

As a lifetime resident of King County, our family has participated in soccer, but we also fly model airplanes and launch model rockets. Yes, Eastside properties may be scarce, but it is far easier to find suitable soccer venues than to find appropriate (and safe) locations for the special activities many, many of us enjoy at 60 Acres.

This failure leadership and vision among local politicians, and their inability to grasp the special nature of this property is beyond disappointment.

[Sheman E. Lillie]

Isn’t it a shame! It makes me sick! They should be ashamed of themselves! I can’t believe it! Politicians! What a mess this has become!

All of these sayings apply to the so-called deal going on here.
Isn’t it a shame applies in so many ways to this issue. It’s a shame that “We The People” have to fight to keep the land that was purchased with tax payer funds in 1968 under the “Forward Trust Bonds” and set aside for passive use. It’s a shame that “We the people” get the short end of the stick if LWYSA was to get 60 Acres South. It’s a shame that “We the People” put the trust and confidence in “Public officials or Politicians”, and they violate that trust; not uphold their previous commitments and/or follow what the majority demands. Isn’t it a shame that so many people have to travel from far and wide to enjoy an activity at 60 acres, and now that is threatened by a group of greedy young ball chasers!

It makes me sick to think of the future without a place to fly planes and rockets. What if the next Wilber or Orville Wright doesn’t have a place to fly? What if the next rocket scientist doesn’t have a place to launch his or her rocket? Think of the impact the world would have had if the Wright Brothers could not have used the field back then, or if their parents made them play soccer instead of what they dreamed of doing. Most of the parents of the soccer players, and many more, enjoy their livelihood because of the dreams of individuals like the Wright Brothers. Think of the advancement of mankind because of people like the Wright Brothers. There has never been a large impact on society because someone has played soccer or any other sport. In fact the fall of the Roman Empire was due to sports.

They should be ashamed of themselves. King County and LWYSA should be ashamed of the way they have tried to sneak this deal through and against the outlines of the “Forward Trust Bond”. This property and the rest of 60 acres were set aside for passive use and not organized sports. LWYSA has gotten their way with the other property and they should leave well enough alone or the whole property could get taken back and managed in parallel with the “Forward Trust Bond”.

I can’t believe it. King County has been and continues to be such lousy stewards of this property. They are rejecting the proposal of SASS becoming an alternative service provider for 60 Acres South. If in fact they don’t want to deal with 60 Acres South then they should not have put up the bond in the first place.

What a mess this has become. Plain and simple. Let’s put a stop to this nonsense once and for all.

Sherman Lillie

[Derik Stenerson]

I heartily agree that this transction will result in a terrible loss for the community.

Two points:
1) Your guidance is needed.
This action by King Co. is a clear example of misguided leadership - communities need open spaces for passive uses and 60 Acres South is a truly unique space, one that doesn't exist anywhere else in King County. Why the leadership has not come to recognize this, is beyond me.

Here's an opportunity to provide input -- a King County Parks Survey:
http://www.tellkingcountyparks.com/survey/index.php

Click through Trails + Sammamish River Trail, and you'll get to an open comment section. Let your voice be heard.

2. Let's make better use of existing facilities.
It appears that there are a good number of active use facilities in the LW School District that aren't being utilized for soccer games by the LWYSA. Why is this? Wouldn't making better use of facilities that are designed for this purpose be better for the community? Where is the School District in all of these discussions?

[Scott Odle]

Thank you to all who took the time out of their evenings to learn about this issue, hear directly from the county, and to make an effort to educate themselves about the issues.

The room was packed. Representatives from all sides of this complicated deal were in attendance, including the Mayor of Redmond, King County Council, LWYSA, Boy Scouts, neighbors, Dog Walkers, Rocketeers, SASS, and the press.

It was especially great to see a few kids participate in the process, and fearlessly standing in front of the crowd to say a few words.

We will need to increase our vigilance over the next few months. Please continue to tell the story of this little park to your friends and neighbors.

I also am grateful for all of those who came up to offer funds to support any legal expenses we may incur on this journey. I just hope we don't need to take you up on your offers!

Thanks again for all (on all sides) who took the time to participate in the process last night.

[Carl Hamilton]

I'm not against soccer. In fact, I look forward to watching my daughters' games if they choose to play. However, I also look forward to sharing my love of model rocketry with them. 60 Acres South is the only place in King County where we can do that.

LWYSA may be in need of more fields, but those fields should not come at the cost of this unique location that serves such a wide range of groups and individuals.

[MIchael Rollins]

History is stained with groups of people taking that which they want from others in the name some imagined need.

Human slavers disregarded the needs of the people in Africa to freedom, self-actualization and personal dignity so they deprived them of it.

Hitler disregarded the right of Jewish people to life and to the pursuit of happiness so in an act of genocide over 11 million were slaughtered.

In the 1850s the people of Illinois and Missouri disregarded the people of Mormon faith and deprived them of their homes, property, dignity and life.

In 2006 a group of people with soccer decals in the back of their minivans and SUVs see a piece of land that is in use by another group of people. A group of people that can be easily disregarded as their needs, wants, loves, desires are different. People who are different can be disregarded. We learn this from history.

The pattern of human inhumanity continues……..

Honestly, if you burn away the lies, that is what I see here.

[Russ Light]

This is LOSE-LOSE-LOSE!!!

1) LOSE - All current users of 60 acres south. The R/C sailplane flyers, R/C electric flyers, rocket clubs, the boy scouts, dog walkers, the wippet dog racers, bird watchers, the surrounding community who have to deal wtih the traffic congestion and noise

2) LOSE - The diversity of the parks system. When will this stop? Shall we convert all the parks into soccer fields? We live in a time of limited resources, no activity can expand indefinitely. So what if Johnney can't play soccer, find something else. The soccer assocations should cap their enrollment and implement a lottery system to live within their means just like everyone else.

3) LOSE - The tax payers. We paid and are still paying for all these parklands. A public land is going to be GIVEN to a private group for exclusive use and control in exchange for land which will then be sold to another private institution for exclusive use and control. Take a look at 60 acres north, it is covereed with signs that restrict ALL activity to soccer even though the fields go unused 70% of the year - this is public land dammit!! LWYSA contols it, they are behind the land swap, they have time and time again been involved in scandel and misconduct. WAKE UP!

[Philip Patten]

Our delightful Sixty-Acres, multi-use park is an endangered species! Now the Borg LWYSA wants to scarf up (exterminate) the last and only multi-use park in King County that includes model aviation recreational and educational activities (model rocketry, sailplanes and parkflyer electrics). as well as dog show users, kite flyers, cub scouts, locals, and their pets. Even the local hawks like it, which can't be said about soccer fields. Let's retain a little park use biodiversity.

[Bill & Bunny Kuhlman]

In "Parks and Recreation Division Business Transition Plan: Phase II Report," which can be found at:

Page 11, Section V, first bulleted paragraph.

Is not 60 Acres South a "passive use" facility? If yes, then KC is not placing primary importance on its role as steward of regional park assets. Rather, it's primary importance is monetary income.

Page 11, Section V, second bulleted paragraph.

60 Acres South is in a rural area, and there are no alternative service providers for RC sailplanes, park flyers, rockets, dogs trials, etc., etc. How many soccer fields are there in KC? I think someone said something like 900+. But there's only one soaring field, only one rocket field, only one field of this type available for dog trials, etc...

Page 11, Section V, third bulleted paragraph.

KC seems to indicate they are rejecting SASS's offer to work in partnership with them, so KC seems to be not interested in SASS becoming an alternative service provider for 60 Acres South.

Lastly, could KC turn over this facility to the City of Redmond, as they've done with other park facilities which are within city boundaries? If this is claimed by KC to be against the land grant charter, then logically all of the other stipulations within that charter must be upheld by KC as well. That means NO transfer of any kind to LWYSA.

[Jeff A.]

Anyone who thinks Soccer is not big business has never seen one of their income statements or payroll. $30,000 in revenue for one weekend tournement - at almost zero cost. Add on the highest user fees for the kids, and you have a business bigger than mine!

[Seth Arlow]

60 Acres South is a unique multi-use field, PAID FOR BY THE CITIZENS OF KING COUNTY! It should NOT be 'sold' to a private organization. There are many sports fields, but only ONE 60 Acres South!
The transfer would be a LOSS for the people of the County--the only gain would be to the fiscally irresponsible LWYSA.

[Scott Odle]

Unfortunately, No. Plane's won't be able to fly over Mueller farm. Partly because of the thermals, partly becuase of the glide path that goes over high traffic areas.

I fail to see how this is a win for anyone but LWYSA. The tax payers bought this land, now the County is selling it becuase it costs them $8000 per year to maintain. The County citizens loose a passive use park, and LWYSA gains more profitable feilds.

This deal doesn't need County involvement. LWYSA can sell the Mueller farm a go buy private land elseware.

We don't need more feilds. For example: Seattle Area Youth Soccer handles almost twice as many kids on fewer feilds.

[Karin Corea]

This is definitely not a win for everyone! First of all, airplanes cannot be flown at Mueller Farm for the same reason that it cannot be used for soccer fields. It is protected under the Farmland Preservation Act.

If this goes through, it will be essentially taxpayer bailout for a LWYSA mistake of buying the farmland, thinking that they could somehow change zoning laws.

There are already more than 400 soccer fields in King County alone, and many more in the works. Because soccer has somehow become akin to a cult, there will never be enough fields.

My husband and son have spent thousands of hours together at this peaceful field, flying all sorts of sailplanes, and learning about aerodynamics and thermal principals. Our son, like many who started here, became an accomplished glider pilot and competes in tournaments all around the country.

Because our son spent so much of his childhood (starting at age 4) building and flying airplanes at 60 Acres South, he now is taking flying lessons to become a pilot of full size planes.

This land is the last open space near urban Redmond and Woodinville for people to safely fly model planes, rockets, kites, dogs, frisbees,etc. It was purchased using Forward Thrust funds set aside for use as such.

It would be a huge loss to lose this teasured open parkland just because of pressure from a huge, powerful organization!!!

[Nancy Niehaus Fordyce]

I think this is a win-win for everyone. The county is getting Mueller Farm - can't model airplanes be flown there? I am a soccer parent whose has a child NOT in LWYSA so I am not a pro-LWYSA bigot. Soccer is big, but not big business. There is no one getting rich here. Do I see anyone complaining about Willows Run golf course? Now there is big business.

The people who play soccer and have children who play soccer are numerous and we are all King County residents. The number of adequate fields/facilities for soccer in King County does not meet the current need. People against this are turning this into an anti-LWYSA issue. This venue is used by many soccer groups, not just LWYSA.

This isn't something for nothing. The county is getting something back.

I'm for it!