May – 2025 – Renton Community Update

Renton School District is wielding the public’s authority when taking properties for their new Renton High baseball field, so the public deserves a thorough understanding of what Renton is losing in the process.

This post features the stunning landscape in just the latest one of the 32 homes being taken for this project, which calls for this garden to be leveled and covered with artificial turf or asphalt.

Regardless of where anyone stands on the tradeoff of a ball-field vs private homes, they should admire, respect, and grieve the stately trees, stunning foliage, and wildlife that Renton is losing in this project.

Catherine Ploue-Smith, has owned and meticulously cared for this property across from Renton High School for decades, while raising her family and immersing herself in our Renton community. She enjoys downtown living, and she told me this home has always felt like an oasis in the city to her and her family. She was born in France, and I can see french “country garden” influence in her beautiful landscape.

Renton is a “Tree City,” and we should expect our School District to at least replace her magnificent trees if the trees can’t somehow be saved (which is unlikely since they appear to be in a baseball field in the current school plan.)

Sweltering summer temperatures in Renton’s downtown can already climb 10 degrees hotter than in Renton’s tree-covered neighborhoods in the surrounding hills. Replacing more downtown trees with asphalt or artificial turf will increase the heat island effect.

For decades the homes, businesses, and landscaping on Tobin and Airport Way have been the only buffer between Renton High School and 170 acres of asphalt, concrete, and jet blasts at Renton Airport. Flattening homes and gardens like this one, so that the High School will be adjacent to the airport, does not seem like an improvement. And with increasing jet traffic at Renton Airport, conflicts between the airport and High School needs are only going to get worse.