This time of year, Miller Playfield is a playground next to a big mud pit. In the summer, Miller is a playground next to a big dust pit. Two plans could bring much needed improvements.

The 07/08 city budget has a huge pile of money earmarked to convert the field from sand (the city’s term for it, not ours) to synthetic field turf. This is great news to the soccer and baseball leagues (and everybody) else that use the athletic field — the current Miller play surface is an ankle-twisting mess. More details about Seattle’s budget for parks and fields here.

Meanwhile, Seattle’s plan for a system of skate parks includes a proposal for construction of a $640,000 skateboarding facility at Miller. The draft plan will be presented at a Town Hall meeting this Thursday night at 6 p.m. If you have something to say about the park and you aren’t too busy nailing frontside ollies, get there early to sign up to speak.

–j