Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
For West Seattle Blog

The first meeting in the second round of feedback on the Seattle Parks and Recreation draft “outdoor racquet-sports strategy” was far more cordial than you might have expected, given the “pickleball vs. tennis” narrative that’s collected around it.

The meeting inside the historic building at Dakota Place Park on the north edge of the West Seattle Junction drew almot 100 people.

Judging by T-shirts among other things, most were there in support of pickleball access. Pickleball players say the city’s proposal – including an end to dual-striping courts – will slash the number of places they can play.

Parks reps said repeatedly that attending the meeting was just one way to offer feedback. The meeting room, and the Dakota Place building’s foyer, were both ringed with posters including statements/proposals attendees could mark with dot stickers, a tradition at public feedback meetings.

Most of the meeting was comprised of a presentation by Parks and open-mic comments – we recorded that all on video:

The presentation was led by Parks’ Annie Hindenlang, with Jonathan Gardner.

They recapped what the department considered key points of previous feedback, including that dual use of courts wasn’t working and that courts’ neighbors were concerned about noise. Also noted were some positive points, such as the social, community, and health benefits of pickleball. They also noted concerns about data that was used previously, explaining that technology from Placer AI was used to collect “anonymized mobile device data for 16 of the 19 affected court sites.

Also included in the presentation were what Parks considers “collaboration topics”; Hindenlang also noted that an online survey – which opens next Tuesday (June 30) – will address those same topics.

More than 20 open-mic comments followed (a few people took two turns as there was time left over in what Parks had allotted). Most, but not all, identified themselves as from West Seattle; one person who spoke twice voiced concerns about Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill, where the courts are used for more than racquet sports (they were particularly concerned about losing access for dodgeball).

Whether from tennis or pickleball advocates, the comments didn’t center so much on the respective sports’ attribute as on the Parks process for proposing and implementing the “strategy.” Among those complaints, the proposal’s development without collaboration – it appeared seemingly out of nowhere, presented for feedback, rather than a process that cold have collected ideas. “We never felt listened to,” said John Rankin from the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association. He said pickleball players felt they had been presented with “your plan” and “had to mobilize” to slow it down.

Also voiced: What exactly is the problem the “strategy” is trying to solve? (The Parks reps didn’t answer any questions posed to them by speakers, insisting they were under strict orders to only listen rather than to reply.)

Big applause was given to another speaker who promised, “We think we can find solutions.” They were followed by someone who said it was imperative to “get out of this ‘us vs. them’ mentality … We can find ways to find that common ground.” A later speaker said the Parks proposal had left both tennis players and pickleball players “in an uproar” but “we’re going to fix this.”

Another speaker who wanted to know more about what problems the “strategy” was meant to solve said that they could certainly address specific concerns, such as guerrilla lighting setups. Other pro-pickleball commenters said the sport benefits the community, not just individual players (though one person had an individual testimonial, saying they had “discovered a new life as a pickleball player” and lost 58 pounds by playing).

The sport’s growing popularity is honored by other cities around the country, said a player who described themselves as a frequent traveler, so why not Seattle?

Though this meeting was the first in West Seattle – the first round of feedback only included “regional” meetings, and got no closer than South Seattle – there wasn’t much specific discussion or commenting about West Seattle sites, except the courts on the north side of Alki Playfield, which several people said they wanted to see remain accessible for pickleball.

The Parks reps did not offer a timeline for when – if – a revised “strategy” might be developed and presented, so the timeline for this second round of feedback remains what’s laid out on this webpage (including three more meetings in other part of the city), plus the forthcoming online survey, June 30 to July 14.

In the summer of soccer, it’s time to think fall – if someone in your household is a potential West Seattle Soccer Club player! Here’s what the club asked us to share with you:

Hey, West Seattle Families! There is one week left in the fall open registration period.

Founded in 1968, The West Seattle Soccer Club (WSSC) is a recreational soccer club for youth who reside in the southwest neighborhoods of Seattle. All youth ages 5-18 are eligible to play and experience is not required.

As we gear up for the Fall Soccer Season, excitement is booming with nearly a thousand players already registered! With the Spring Season wrapping soon, it’s time to ensure that you, your friends, and your neighbors join in too! Registration closes June 30th, so act fast. Whether your child is a seasoned player or just starting out, we’re excited to unveil our Fall Registration and anticipate the adventures ahead.

The Fall Season kicks off early-mid September with the games spanning 8, 10, or 12 matches (based on age division).

Secure your child’s spot or learn more at westseattlesoccer.org. Questions? Reach us at wsscboard@gmail.com.

Make this Fall Soccer season unforgettable! Enroll today to see your child thrive on the field, make friends, and create lasting memories. The league is committed to providing an affordable and quality playing experience for the West Seattle community. Financial assistance is available for qualified applicants. Don’t miss out – register now!

More congratulations today – this time for roller-derby skaters! The report and photos are from Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby:

Southside Revolution Rebels are headed to JRDA Champs in Chicago!

For the first time since our inaugural season 12 years ago, Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby is going to play in the Junior Roller Derby Association national championships. Coming into the regional playoffs in Tacoma as the top seed, SSR secured its spot at Champs with decisive wins against Everett’s Mob City and The Pixies from Spokane.

The Rebels now face something new: Practice in July, leading up to Champs on July 11-12 in Chicago. All games will be streamed on the JRDA YouTube channel.

Seniors from Southside and other teams were honored in a special ceremony in Tacoma. We’re excited for them to embark on this next step in their lives, but they will be missed!

2026 seniors pictured are:

Raquel Walsh (coach)
Princess Slaya (Lucy Self) – Chief Sealth/South Seattle College
JAWS (Petra Sheppard) – Chief Sealth \/South Seattle College
Diffindo (Lyric Roberts) – Nova
BratTastic (Mateo Chavez) – Cleveland
Acid Reign (Lilli Furumori) – Chief Sealth/South Seattle College
Chuck Hendrick (head coach)
The Flaming D.Va (Myra Hapgood) – Cleveland
Dollface Smasher (Sophie Portugal) – Edmonds Heights/Edmonds College
QuesaDelia (Delia Hutchinson) – The Northwest School
Scout’s Honor (Avalyn Rudolph) – Kentridge/Green River College
Joel Chavez (coach)

(not pictured is Blue Raja – Bixby Breeden – Aviation. Photos by Lydia Brewer Photography)

Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby league makes its home at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center. Right after Champs, SSR will appear in the West Seattle Grand Parade, and in early September will hold New Skater Clinics for anyone aged 7+ interested in joining this fast-paced, gender-inclusive youth sport. Learn more and sign up at southsiderevolution.org/join-us.

As first reported here two and a half weeks ago, Seattle Parks decided to have another round of community meetings before finalizing its “outdoor racquet-sports strategy,” and that meeting – the first one in West Seattle – is coming up at 6:30 pm Tuesday (June 23) at Dakota Place Park (California/Dakota). In advance of that, Seattle Parks has updated some of the information on its website, including the Frequently Asked Questions document, which notes updates and corrections to previous FAQ, and new Q/A. The heart of the original proposal made public almost in April sought to end dual striping for pickleball and tennis at the city’s outdoor courts, and pickleball advocates have been vigorously opposing that. Other new info on the city’s “engagement” site for the proposal includes a list of the years when resurfacing is planned for city courts.

1:07 PM: Soccer fans of all ages are watching the USA vs. Australia World Cup match right now, whether at the stadium downtown or at local venues. Our first stop this afternoon was Ounces in North Delridge, where they’re having watch parties for all the USA matches, not just the one that’s being played in Seattle.

Ounces has been partnering with rhw Junction and Rhodies FCs, whose owner Jessica Pierce is there watching too:

The USA is up 2-0 at halftime; still time to get to a watch party – we have a list in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar.

1:47 PM: USA still up 2-0. (Wondering how the World Cup works? We were. Here’s the ESPN explainer.) Our crew has been wandering Admiral. Above, Admiral Pub, which has been watching ALL the World Cup matches, not just those in Seattle and/or involving the USA team Below, Circa (WSB sponsor):

And The Good Society:

2:12 PM: USA wins, and that sends them to the “knockout rounds.” (added) We were at Beveridge Place Pub when the match ended:
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Next World Cup match in Seattle is Wednesday (June 24), again at noon, Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar.

3:50 PM: We are at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, where the USA vs. Australia informal soccer match has just ended with the “Puget Sounders” beat the Australian squad – both led by elected officials – 4 to 3, in a prelude to tomorrow’s World Cup match. Full story to come.

ADDED 5:50 PM: It was a beautiful day to play – clear skies, not too hot. The match was coordinated and hosted by West Seattle Junction and Rhodies FCs‘ owner Jessica Pierce, who talked to the spectators about the match’s significance:

Her work making this happen included support from King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, who energetically emceed. Councilmember Mosqueda also was one of five West Seattleites who played for the winning team; the others were 34th District State Sen. Emily Alvarado (who demurred that she was “more of a soccer mom than a soccer player”), District 1 City Councilmember Rob Saka (whose family was a lively part of the cheering section), Seattle School Board president Gina Topp, and Councilmember Mosqueda’s deputy chief of staff Chris Lampkin. Here’s our video of some of the action:

One of the non-WS electeds on the team scored two of the goals, 3rd District (Spokane) State Sen. Marcus Riccelli; the other two were by West Seattle Junction FC players who joined the match, Kellen Pierce and Will Masschmedt. Two Seattle citywide electeds played too – Mayor Katie Wilson and City Attorney Erika Evans.

Here are the final few moments of the match:

(WSB video/photos)

The last week of the school year began with a lively celebration in the West Seattle High School gym – the cheer team cheered, and band members played, as student-athletes made a grand entrance for a group college-signing ceremony. Family members and friends cheered them too, from the bleachers.

WSHS athletic director Corey Sorenson welcomed everyone, thanked the parents for their support and acknowledged the student-athletes for their hard work, and then it was time to sign letters of intent:

15 student-athletes participated on Wednesday – here’s the list Sorenson provided along with the names of two others who weren’t there but will continue their athletic careers in college too – we’ve interspersed this with more of the photos we took at the event:

Baseball:
Cody Buehring – Whitman College
Jake McCall – University of Puget Sound

Boys Swim & Dive:
Jeremy O’Keefe – Whitworth University

Lacrosse:
Zoe Preveau – William Jewell College

Volleyball:
Jaslynn Daily – City University of New York, Queens College

Softball:
Daeja Piggee – Winston Salem State University

Cheerleading:
Amaya Stagi – Seattle University

Football:
Jonah Pelander – Palomar College
Scott Bremen – College of the Siskiyous
LJ Moody – Palomar College
Esayas Brigham – Palomar College
Gabe Crawford – Portland State University

Girls Soccer:
Grace Carroll – St. Olaf College
Grace Reasoner – Wellesley College

Boys Soccer:
Cole Theisen – Le Moyne College

Signed already, but not able to attend signing day on Wednesday
Claire Gordon – University of Washington, Rowing
Sacha Ninburg – Lower Columbia College, Baseball

Next big ceremony for the graduating seniors is WSHS’s commencement ceremony, 8 pm next Wednesday (June 17) at McCaw Hall downtown,

(PHOTOS BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WEST SEATTLE BLOG)

Some of the 130+ players who competed in the Westside Pickleball League‘s “Rally on the Rock” tournament today went home with medals like that.

Players also went home with the knowledge that they not only had fun, but also supported students. The all-day tournament at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex raised money for Chief Sealth International High School Athletics, and this year included youth players – 15 and under – for the first time, league co-founder Rosina Geary told WSB. That meant competitors spanned a wide range of ages:

The support for CSIHS included two $2,000 scholarships donated to the Class of 2026. And Sealth supportred the tournament too, with student-athletes and coaches volunteering.

Today’s tournament was the end of the league’s fourth year of play (we first wrote about it 3+ years ago). Year five will start this fall – watch the league website for updates.

Flag football is a growing sport and the West Seattle YMCA> (WSB sponsor) is offering girls 10 to 16 years old a chance to learn the basics for free. It’s noon-2 pm this Sunday (June 7) at Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon); registration info is on this flyer provided by organizers or at seattleymca.org/youth-flag-football. Email raymondbelleza@seattleymca.org with questions.