MAGNUSON PARK ADVOCACY UPDATE | MAY 21, 2025 |
Hi, Muriel,
Over the last month, wetland advocates like you have been speaking at public meetings, meeting with City Council staff, leading tours of the wetlands, contacting the media, and more. Our advocacy is making an impact, but Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is intent on building their massive pickleball facility right next to the wetlands.
In the coming weeks, we will continue to contact city officials, gather petition signatures, and engage local journalists to elevate public awareness. We're also preparing to comment on SPR’s draft Environmental Impact Statement, which we expect this summer.
Read on for updates and ways you can help protect the Magnuson Park wetlands. |
|
|
Email City Council. Wetland advocates have already sent more than 800 emails to city leaders, but the message hasn't gotten through. Please email your councilmembers now. Already emailed? Did you get a response? If not, a follow up email is appropriate. |
| Sign and Share Petition. 1,850+ individuals and 20 organizations have already signed our petition. Help us reach our goal of 2,000 signatures by May 31.
Share with friends and family to multiply your impact. |
|
|
Wetland Advocates Speak Up at City Hall |
Over the last month, wetland advocates turned up in person and online at meetings of Seattle City Council's Parks, Public Utilities, and Technology Committee.
This committee provides oversight of Seattle Parks and Recreation. The councilmembers who serve on it will be key decision makers when SPR requests council approval of an amendment to the Magnuson Park Master Plan that would allow the pickleball project to proceed.
See what advocates had to say on April 23 (comments begins at 00:03:21) and on May 14 (comments begin at 00:04:39). |
| Councilmembers Send Staff to Walk Wetlands |
On Friday, May 16, staff members for Councilmember Cathy Moore (District 5) and Councilmember Maritza Rivera (District 4) walked the Magnuson Park wetlands with a small group of wetland advocates from Birds Connect Seattle.
Council staff reported that our advocacy is having an impact, leading councilmembers to ask more critical questions of our Parks Department. They recommend we focus more advocacy attention on citywide representatives Sara Nelson and Alexis Mercedes Rinck and loop in state elected officials from WA State District 46 including Gerry Pollet, Darya Farivar, and Javier Valdez. |
|
|
NSC Environmental Justice Club Gets Involved |
Members of the North Seattle College Environmental Justice Club visited the wetlands on Friday, May 16. Students learned about the history of the site, saw dozens of bird and other wildlife species (including Pied-billed Grebelets), and committed to take action to protect the wetlands from the proposed pickleball project. |
| Seattle Times Publishes Letter from Wetland Advocate |
The Seattle Times recently reported on a study that found populations of 75% of North American bird species to be declining. Wetland advocate Tim B. seized the opportunity, writing to the editor to highlight how local decisions, like developing noisy pickleball facilities near natural areas, can degrade habitat and negatively impact people and birds. Read Tim's letter to the editor here. |
|
|
SPR Releases Draft Assumptions and Methodologies for SEIS |
Seattle Parks and Recreation shared a draft of the assumptions and methodologies it intends to use in a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to evaluate impacts of outdoor pickleball courts adjacent to the Magnuson Park wetlands.
To evaluate noise impacts on wildlife, SPR proposes reviewing "previous wildlife observations, reviewing relevant data sources, and conducting a field survey in 2025 to assess general habitat conditions on site and within the site vicinity."
We expect SPR to publish a full draft SEIS this summer. Responding to their analysis will be a critical moment for our campaign.
Read the draft assumptions and methodologies here. |
| |
|
LEARN MORE AND GET INVOLVED |
|
|
Drop-in Session with BCS Conservation Director |
Do you have questions about our advocacy to protect the wetlands at Magnuson Park? Maybe you're curious about the status of the proposed pickleball project? Or you're looking for feedback on a public comment you're drafting?
Join Joshua Morris, Conservation Director at Birds Connect Seattle, at noon on Tues. May 27 for an informal drop-in session to ask questions, share ideas, or just chat about what's happening at Magnuson.
Sign up for the drop-in session here. |
| Tour the Wetlands on June 4 from 9-10:30 a.m. |
Join us on a tour of the restored wetlands. As we meander among the ponds, we'll talk about the history of the wetlands, why they are important to people and wildlife, and how you can help protect them. Our next walk is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Free to attend. Just sign up to let us know you're coming. Sign up for the walk here |
| |
Tell Us How You Want to Volunteer |
How do you want to help protect the wetlands? Submit a short form to let us know. Fill out the volunteer interest form here. |
| |
|
| Thank you for your support!
For cities where people and birds thrive, |
Joshua Morris
Conservation Director |
|
|
Support Birds Connect Seattle
|
|
|
Photo credits:
Top: Pied-billed Grebes, photo courtesy of Peggy Coleman / Audubon Photography Awards
Urgent Needs: Yellow-rumped Warbler, photo courtesy of Megumi Williamson / Audubon Photography Awards; Common Yellowthroat, photo courtesy of Randy Streufert / Audubon Photography Awards
News and Updates: Tree Swallows, photo courtesy of Jordan West / Audubon Photography Awards; American Goldfinch at Magnuson wetlands, photo courtesy of Virginia Bound; Green Heron at Magnuson wetlands, photo courtesy of Virginia Bound; Duck and ducklings at Magnuson wetlands, photo courtesy of Virginia Bound; Cedar Waxwing on nest at Magnuson wetlands, photo courtesy of Virginia Bound Learn More and Get Involved: Western Tanager, photo courtesy of Janet Stevens / Audubon Photography Awards; Osprey at Magnuson Park, photo courtesy of Virginia Bound; Black-capped Chickadee at Magnuson Park, photo courtesy of Virginia Bound |
|
|
Birds Connect Seattle
616 Olive Way
Seattle, WA 98101
United States If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please
unsubscribe. Copyright © 2025 Birds Connect Seattle, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted-in at our website, you made a donation or became a member of Birds Connect Seattle, attended an event, made a retail purchase, or are a member of National Audubon Society and signed up to receive communications from your local chapter, Birds Connect Seattle. |
|
|
|
