I recently completed two months of intense work on a proposal to renew a parks levy on this fall's ballot. As just one member of a 28 person committee, I worked to make this a measure to continue to build on our green legacy. There were many compromises, as there should be, and the measure may not be everything I would have wanted, but it is a strong package that continues to fund many critical projects throughout the City. You can read more about this at the City Council website: http://www.seattle.gov/council/issues/parks_levy.htm. 

The Council will hold one more public hearing on the levy package on Wednesday, July 16, 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers. If you have comments or ideas for the proposed levy that you would like to share with the Council as it reviews the Advisory Committee’s recommendations, please attend the hearing or send them to parksandgreenspaceslevy@seattle.gov.

In Ballard and environs, the proposal includes $1.2 million to develop the Crown Hill Park, replacing and adding to funds from the ProParks measure that will be redirected to permanently preserve the land as public open space, $800,000 to develop the new park on the 7000 block of 9th Ave NW in Whittier Heights, $600,000 for Kiwanis Ravine and $500,000 to upgrade the Golden Gardens playground. The proposal also includes $30 million for open space acquisition in fast-growing and underserved areas like the Ballard Urban Village and , and $15 million in Opportunity Funds that could support many of the worthy projects that didn't make the final cut, continuing and building on the ProParks tradition that helped Ballard Corners and many other community-based projects citywide.

Groundswell NW encourages all to look at the many good things in the proposed levy package and urge City Council to continue funding our “green infrastructure” by putting this measure on the ballot this fall. See the support letter from the Green Legacy Coalition.

Looking for a little adventure this summer? This summer theater simple is going on a journey in our own back yard, and we’d like YOU to take part!

GERDA’S JOURNEY (based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale THE SNOW QUEEN) is a story of a young girl and her quest to find her lost friend, Kai. In this site-specific production by theater simple, the audience will literally go on Gerda’s adventure with her, following her and other characters as the play moves through the Carl S. English, Jr. Botanical Garden next to the Hiram Chittenden Locks in Ballard.

We are looking for community members interested in helping to create the immersive experience for the audience, as well as guide them along the path of the play. There are encounters with devious devils, self-absorbed flowers, talking crows, a ferocious robber band, and more!

*Acting experience is useful, but not required.

If you’ve always wanted to be a part of a theater simple show—here is your chance! Or if “behind the scenes” is more your style, we would LOVE your help there too!

For more information, and to learn how YOU can volunteer for this event, please contact Tina Bunck or Monique Kleinhans at gerdasjourney@gmail.com or call 206-407-5913.