New playing field complex being constructed by Meridian Park Elementary

The Shoreline School District began work this week on a new field complex adjacent to Meridian Park Elementary School.

The project will create three new fields: one for baseball, one for softball and a playfield for Meridian Park. The baseball and softball fields will become the home varsity fields for Shorewood High School next spring.

The baseball and softball fields at Shorewood have been removed in preparation for the construction of the new high school. The decision was made that since the construction at Shorewood would not allow a home field on its campus for several years, to create the new varsity fields at Meridian Park in time for the 2012 baseball and softball seasons.

The baseball and softball fields will be synthetic turf to maximize their usage in all kinds of weather. A quarter-mile walking path will be created around the baseball field for community use. The fields will be lighted and will have parking for more than 30 vehicles in addition to the nearby parking at Meridian Park Elementary and the Shoreline Children's Center.

A photo of the area as construction began last week.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Schools.

The Meridian Park Elementary playfield will be natural grass with synthetic turf cutouts. This field will not be available for use until the 2012-13 school year. A portion of the Meridian Park playground will be closed in August to improve drainage and reopened in time for the opening of school in September.

The project is funded by 2006 bonds. These bonds approved by voters have previously funded improvements to playfields at Highland Terrace, Lake Forest Park and Syre Elementary Schools, and new synthetic turf fields at Einstein and Kellogg Middle Schools, Shorecrest High School and Shoreline Stadium.