The controversy over the Loyal Heights Playfield Improvement Project continued last Thursday as community members protested what they called "another fake public meeting" held by the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department.

Several protestors gathered at the Loyal Heights Community Center to demand the parks department shut off field lights at the park for more than one night a week. Picketers also said they are fed up with the department's "charade" to solicit meaningful input from the community.

"All we have asked for from the beginning is a seat at the table, and to be heard and listened to," said Jim Anderson, president of the Loyal Heights Community Council.

Opponents are asking the city to withhold permits for the $2.3 million project unless the parks department agrees to turn off the field lights at least two evenings a week. The 6.7-acre park is now under construction for year-round use, with the replacement of grass with synthetic turf and eight new field lights.

The new lights are designed to limit residential spill light and glare. The parks department plans to have the lights illuminate the fields from dusk until 10:15 p.m., six days a week at the playfield located between 20th and 22nd Avenues Northwest and Northwest 75th and 77th streets.

"The lights and the synthetic turf are the culmination of the transformation of the field to a high-use, magnet sports complex," said Anderson. "People there every night, six days a week, all year long - it's not fair to put that kind of pressure on this neighborhood."

Currently, natural grass fields in Seattle are not used from the end of November until March. Some residents fear changes to the park leading to increased use will mean amplified noise and traffic jams in the neighborhood. But parking and traffic analysis conducted by the city found no such impacts.

"We are asking for one small concession, to add one more night without lights, noise and traffic," said resident Kevin Donnelly.

While the installation of synthetic surface was initially the primary focus of opponents, the issue has shifted to parks seeking permits for eight 80-foot lights, exceeding the legal limit and requiring special approval by the Seattle City Council.

In September, the city council approved the installation of the lights and rejected a move by Loyal Heights' neighbors to keep the lights off for more than one night a week. The decision came with a condition that the parks department seek "meaningful public involvement and review" of the proposed lighting plan before building permits are issued.

But since the parks department doesn't have the power to change the hours of operation, the council's stipulation left parks in a "no-win situation," said Ted Holden, project manager for the Loyal Heights Improvement Project.

Parks operates its field lights according to a resolution adopted by the council in 2002 and the council action in September. Those decisions set a template for hours of operation at city fields, said Holden.

"People need to take their case to the city council," said Holden. "They are the ones that can change things. Parks can only explain something that already exists. I understand where the community is coming from on this but all I can do is take comments and run it up through the chain of command."

Residents say the city's "don't ask, just tell," process is anything but "meaning public involvement."

Dana Servheen, a member of the community council, said there's little opportunity to interject in the process because the city just gives opponents the runaround. The city council refers requests and complaints to the parks department, and in turn, parks officials say they are just doing what the council mandates.

"We are not against the park or children playing sports," said Servheen. "We are asking to be treated like partners rather than enemies."

Opponents have long maintained that they've been frozen out of the public input process, starting with the project's first public meeting last year. The city council ordered an audit of the department's public participation processes this past spring after several community groups across the city had similar problems. The report could be released this month.

"The word 'involve' means to engage, influence and effect," said Anderson at last week's meeting. "From day one parks have been telling us what they're doing with no room for modification or compromise. We're tired of the charade and ask nothing more than to be heard and to be considered at least part of the equation here. It is, after all, our home."

Seattle Parks Superintendent Ken Bounds has suggested that the issue of potentially burdensome lighting could be reconsidered after a year if it becomes a problem.

The original meeting to discuss the lighting schedule was scheduled for Nov. 2. Parks cancelled that meeting two days before it was supposed to be held, which opponents say has everything to do with the city's knowledge of their planned protest.

Joelle Ligon, public information officer for the parks department, said the meeting was cancelled because a document detailing the lighting plan had not been posted on the parks department Web site far enough in advance for community review.

"It was never our intention to stop (the protest)," said Ligon. "We absolutely respect their right to assemble and speak their opinion."

The fact that the cancellation coincided with the city's knowledge of the protest was merely a fluke, Holden said.

Seattle voters approved an amendment last month that gives the mayor of Seattle and the city council the authority to appoint the heads of three city departments, including the superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation. Servheen said the new law could create some much-needed oversight.

"No one is against what (parks) is trying to do," she said. "In a lot of ways we are on the same side. But a little bit of compromise will go a long way."

The current schedule calls for the field lights to be installed by the end of the year. To review the Loyal Heights playfield Illumination Management Plan or learn more about the project visit www.seattle.gov/parks/proparks/projects/loyalheightsplayfield.htm.

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached at rebekahs@ballardnewstribune.com