RENTON, Jan. 12, 2002 The Kennydale Elementary School play field replacement project continues to progress. The project, which began in June, was due to be completed by the start of this school year. The grass, however, would need more time to properly grow: In the original plan, the field would continue to be fenced off until about August of 2002. So, even with the uncovering of foundations from previous school buildings, the project remains on schedule. The discoveries have modified the progress.

Play field replacement necessary due to unsafe conditions

The play field was fast becoming a safety hazard for children due to large holes caused by standing water, unleveled plains and exposed rocks and hard soil. The old field was not engineered to drain water, causing rotting turf and soil. Furthermore, no irrigation system was in place to provide an even, consistent watering process causing more damage to the field by drying out the turf and soil. To keep the grass alive in the summer months, the school's custodian was watering the field by hand using garden hoses. Also, deteriorating and cracking track edging was creating even more safety hazards.

Foundations from previous Kennydale school buildings were uncovered. Progress on the play field continues.

The plan to replace the field

After assessing the safety and recreational needs of children as well as the large number of community members and neighborhood sports groups who use the field, the district planned to replace the field in Phase II of the district's 20-year construction plan. Voters approved that phase of the plan in 1998. To do the job right, replacement of the field would have to involve more than just replacing sod or laying new seed to grow grass. After time, the field would again be unsafe.

The plan called for removal of the old turf and exposed ground, shoveling down a few feet to allow a recommended layer of gravel and sand to be placed underneath, which would allow water to drain properly through the new turf, into the ground and away from the topsoil. (A process recommended to help prolong the life of the field and keeping water from standing on top of the ground causing excessive damage.) The plan also called for placement of an irrigation system to water the field in the summer months which would also help to prolong the life of the field. Proper drainage allows the field to be used year-round, not only by students at the school, but also by community groups, local soccer and baseball clubs and the general public.

Discoveries that caused delays

The plan to replace the field was on time when, in August, contractors unearthed parts of past school buildings that had been demolished and covered up. Foundations and fragments of basements from both the 1940 and 1913 school buildings were found just a few feet under the surface of the field. The 1913 foundation was demolished and removed; however, the foundation from the school built in 1940 had concrete reinforced with rebar (steel bars placed in concrete to strengthen foundations) which meant removal would prove too extensive and costly. The field would have to be constructed with the old foundation in place. To accomplish that, engineers had to resurvey the field and create a new set of plans. The new plans were drawn and the process to remove old soil and place compacted layers of rock and sand soon began. By this time, unusually early and heavy fall rains began which saturated the layer of sand, slowing, sometimes halting the process.

Project remains on time and within budget

Progress is quickening. Most of the irrigation system is in place. The final layers of underlayment (rock and sand) are likewise being laid to allow topsoil to be brought in and seed to be planted by February. The project is still within the original budget and timeline. The field is scheduled to be ready for student and community use by September. As in the original plan, fencing will remain around the turf portion of the field through the summer and into early fall to allow grass to grow in properly.

Phase III of the district's 20-year construction plan is on the February 5 ballot, currently before Renton voters. That plan includes rebuilding Kennydale Elementary School. If the bond passes, the new school will be built on site without disruption to the new field. Trees removed due to rotting roots and falling debris during the field replacement project will be replaced with a new variety of trees and other landscaping.