Send Action Letter

I am a resident in <<<YOUR SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOOD OR CITY OUTSIDE OF SEATTLE WHERE YOU LIVE>>> and am writing to you concerning the Seattle-owned "Jackson" Park Golf Course.

We have an incredible chance to make the most of the new light rail stations at 130th and 148th by taking the following 4 actions:

1. Rename the golf course and park area (which is currently named after a genocidal tyrant and slaveowner) to better reflect the values of our city and region.
2. Add accessible pedestrian pathways between both stations and from both stations to surrounding neighborhoods through “Jackson” Park Golf Course.
3. Repurpose the 18-hole part of “Jackson” Park Golf Course into a truly public, freely-accessed green space dedicated to broader uses than golf with amenities that better serve the neighborhood and the environment. (But let’s keep the 9-hole course and driving range, so that area golfers can still enjoy the park, too!)
4. Zone for more housing within the walkshed of both stations.

ASK #1: RENAME THE GOLF COURSE AND PARK AREA

I support the renaming of the area to “Licorice Fern Park” or to an Indigenous name proposed in consultation with Indigenous community members in the area.

ASK #2: ADD ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN PATHWAYS BETWEEN STATIONS AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH “JACKSON” PARK GOLF COURSE

The walkshed around both 130th and 148th stations include several barriers to a pleasant, safe and direct walking/rolling route, including the freeway and the “Jackson” Park Golf Course. Many of the streets to the east of the light rail stations are dead ends and do not allow for connectivity to denser planned neighborhoods east of “Jackson” Park.

A new direct and wheelchair accessible walking/rolling path through “Jackson” Park Golf Course must be added so that pedestrians will be able and encouraged to use the stations. East-west connections in general between the stations and surrounding neighborhoods must also be improved. Robust east-west connections between Lake City Way and Aurora Ave through “Jackson” Park will benefit non-drivers, youth, people with disabilities, and elders, regardless of the existence of the stations. These robust east-west connections will ensure that more people choose car-light modes to the future station (walking, biking, running, rolling, scooters, ride share).

ASK #3: REPURPOSE THE 18-HOLE PART OF “JACKSON” PARK GOLF COURSE INTO A TRULY PUBLIC, FREELY-ACCESSED GREEN SPACE

We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a flagship truly public and free park and green space STEPS away from 2 light rail stations. Most existing large Seattle parks are incredibly difficult to access without a private vehicle including Carkeek, Golden Gardens, Discovery, Seward, Washington Arboretum, Madison, Madrona, and Magnuson. There are no large-scale, nature-focused parks within a block of a light rail station, and there are especially none in the north end. The surrounding neighborhoods in general here don’t have a park at the level of Magnuson or Discovery. All of this needs to change and we have the chance to do it right now.

Time and again, we have heard from community members that they wish they had more nearby soccer fields, nature trails, and picnic areas. Golf is a dying sport in Seattle and we already have almost 600 acres (equivalent to almost 80 Cal Anderson Parks!) in our city devoted to it. We can use this precious light rail-adjacent land to create a park for EVERYONE on the existing 18-hole course, while still maintaining the separate 9-hole course and driving range for golf. We can reforest many parts of the park and create walking trails that connect folks with nature AND allow for easily going to and from the light rail stations.

It is simply a fact that a sprawling, exclusive golf course with 18 holes, 9 holes, AND a driving range is not the best use of this incredible piece of light rail-adjacent land.

ACTION #4: ZONE FOR MORE HOUSING WITHIN THE WALKSHED OF BOTH STATIONS

I am happy to hear that a new Urban Center will be built around 130th station. This new Urban Center makes the need for a real park here even more urgent.

On the other hand, I believe that the planned zoning around 148th station does not allow for enough housing near the station. It does not plan for enough people that would support a future small business district. It will incentivize people to drive to the station because so few people will be able to live near it.

Furthermore, near both stations, there appear to be blocks of gerrymandered single-family zones that are not subject to any upzoning under any Comprehensive Plan Update Alternatives (except those dictated by newly passed state laws) even though they are very clearly within the walkshed of the stations. These blocks must not be exempt from their responsibility to allow more neighbors to share in the benefits of the light rail stations and repurposed park.

These impassable single-family zoned areas must be allowed to gradually transform into pedestrian-friendly and dense mixed-use neighborhoods, with safe walking and biking infrastructure. The best way to encourage walkshed development and promote local business developments is higher density redevelopment of the entire area between and around 130th and 148th stations.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

<<<YOUR NAME>>>