While a new skate park at Lower Woodland opened last weekend and work has started on a million dollar renovation of the old tennis courts that are one of the busiest in the Seattle parks system.

The skatepark is 17,000 square feet and is built between the soccer fields and cloverleaf softball diamonds where the Ballard High softball team plays its home games.

Crews demolished the old tennis courts this spring and expect to finish the new courts this fall.

"This is the first skatepark in the city designed for all ages and abilities," said Tim Gallagher, superintendent for Seattle Parks and Recreation. "We're happy this park is complete and that we are moving forward on additional skate projects."

The city's Skate Park Advisory Committee held several public meetings on the design and met with skate boarders for their opinions.

Karen O'Connor, senior public relations specialist for Seattle Parks and Recreation, said the skate park is designed for both new and advanced skaters. She said beginners will be able to learn and progress to other levels of skate boarding.

The park has both a street-type skating area and several bowls for those who are more skilled.

"It's awesome to see the city acknowledge skate boarding's popularity by providing skateboarders with a safe and accessible place to recreate," said Lee Johnson, the Skate Park Advisory Committee's project leader. "Judging by the number of kids who are already using the park, it looks like we can easily use ten more."

During discussions to build the skate park, some Green Lake neighbors had challenged the parks department's assertion that it would not have significant adverse environmental impacts, but a city hearing examiner ruled in favor of the parks department.

The Ballard Commons opened in 2005 with a skate bowl as one of its key features and has been a popular destination for skateboarders.

A skate feature at Dahl Playfield in northeast Seattle is now in the planning stages. The parks department is also looking for a site in West Seattle and is considering other neighborhoods in the city for skateparks of various sizes and skill levels.

A Skatepark Advisory Task Force was created by the Seattle City Council to develop a skate park system in the city. It is one of the fastest growing sports in the nation.

Tennis courts redone

The aging tennis courts at Lower Woodland attracting steady stream of players are undergoing a complete make over.

When the work is done, tennis players will find new features and improvements to their previously aging facility.

The old playing surface on the 10 courts was torn out and will be replaced. Playing surfaces were uneven throughout.

"Some of these are flat out not safe," said Ballard High School coach Brad Hamilton, during the past spring girl's tennis season. Lower Woodland is the home court for Roosevelt, Ballard and other city high schools.

During the rainy spring this year, Hamilton used a large squeegee to push puddles of water into the corners to make the surfaces safe to play on.

Planning, design and construction will cost $1 million.

The project's budget includes $80,000 for drainage and erosion control from the runoff coming from hillside next to the tennis courts. A new ecology block wall will be installed the west slope.

The existing fence posts will be retained with new fabric along with top, middle and bottom rails. New ten foot fencing will fill in gaps on the six southern courts. All this fence work takes up $345,000 of the budget.

Windscreens will be added at the end of the courts. New signs, a relocated sanitation can, and a 30-foot five-tier bleacher are in the plans. Wheel stops will be installed on the west side of the parking lot.

Lighting will be the most expensive item at $470,000. The fixtures on the concrete posts on six courts will be replaced. New poles and lights will be installed on the northern four courts. New controls, cabinets, breakers and wiring will be put in.

The court is busy, even in the winter when senior leagues play matches.

"This is one of the most used tennis court surfaces in the state. It's one of the park (department's) premier sites," said Hamilton.

When finished, the facility's blue green paint will be the same as the colors at the U.S. Open.

"It fits beautifully with this backdrop. It's going to be a good looking facility," said Hamilton.

Hamilton, a member of the United States Tennis Professionals Association is planning to open up the courts at Ballard High school for recreational players displaced by the construction.

Seattle Parks and Recreation will assist players seeking courts this summer. Visit http://www.seattle.gov/parks/maintenance/lowerwoodlandtenniscourts.htm.