a playfield?

When I read the letter to the editor titled "Loyal Heights howling" I had to jump out of my chair and respond.

Can someone please explain to me why on earth, if a person "would like some quiet time when they come home from a long day's work and would like to be able to relax without having to hear constant howling and screaming" (an exaggerated description of the sounds of sports teams playing and practicing, I know, I've been there) why on earth would that silly person move in near a well marked, decades old, well used playfield?

I mean really?!

And the comment that this person made about "why neighbors are not allowed to bring their dogs onto to the field and why league sports have precedence over neighborhoods pick up games" just shows how either uninformed the writer is or how desperately they are casting about for reasons to gripe about other people using the fields.

There is stiff competition for those fields from many different types of sports clubs, both select and public, because there aren't enough fields to go around! It certainly comes across like the writer perceives the fields as nothing more then an extension of their own property line. The no dogs are allowed thing is a city wide regulation that has always existed and anyone can reserve the field if they only they are willing to go through the trouble of reserving (and paying the fee for) the field just like everyone else does for all the other fields in Seattle.

There is plenty of room for "Frisbee and hanging out" at the upper field, there are plenty of dog parks for the dogs, or you could pony up the bucks to fence your own yard to let the dog run around in.

As for the games going "as late as 10 p.m.," the noise ordnance for the city of Seattle covers noise before 7 a.m. or after 10 p.m. This goes for construction crews, sports teams, church picnics, parties, what ever. And I challenge anyone to go to Loyal Heights playfield and smell rubber fumes with out putting their head down at the level of their ankles.

As for Mr. Glen Quinton and Marshall Airey being "downright selfish" that is absolutely, entirely, untrue. Our family has known Glen and Marshall for over 10 years and they are two of the kindest people we know. They work selflessly for their communities and don't have a shellfish bone in their bodies. Shame on you McCawley S. Anjou for saying so! If anyone is being selfish it surely is you.

Really, seriously, for the life of me I can't imagine anyone buying a house near a well marked, decades old, well used playfield if they feel this way? I mean really!

Su Niland

Ballard