Groundswell NW was very successful in its first endeavor and has continued to provide leadership (and perspiration!) while achieving its goals. To date, we have helped acquire five open space sites and helped develop ten new playgrounds, parks, community gardens and natural areas. Along the way we have generated more than five million dollars of investment in our community and involved hundreds of Ballard citizens in neighborhood improvement projects.

For an entirely all-volunteer organization, Groundswell NW has been tremendously successful. After its pioneering project, Groundswell has spearheaded projects in every corner of Ballard and Crown Hill, including:

Webster Park is located between NW 67th St. and NW 68th St., just east of 32nd Ave. NW. Groundswell NW negotiated to convert this parking lot into a much-loved neighborhood park. We put together the funding package and directed the design and construction of the park. Community volunteers did much of the construction and we continue to assist with the pesticide-free maintenance of the park.

Baker Park on Crown Hill is located between Mary Ave. NW and 14th Ave. NW, just south of NW 85th St. We assisted in identifying and purchasing the property. We also acted as fiscal sponsor and advisor in the Neighborhood Matching Fund process and helped the community build the park.

Ballard/Crown Hill Open Space Inventory and Action Plan - We initiated an outreach project that opened a community dialogue on parks and open space and recruited neighbors to walk and map the entire district. Volunteers identified over 200 opportunities for acquiring and/or enhancing open space and parks in Ballard! A series of public forums established community priorities for open space development and acquisition.

North Salmon Bay Community Forest Plan - Groundswell NW obtained a state Natural Resources (DNR) grant to develop a watershed and urban ecological plan to improve our local habitat over the next 50 years.

Crown Hill Glen is an innovative native northwest habitat and park at NW 89th St. & 19th Ave. NW. We helped identify and purchase the site and acted as fiscal sponsor for this unique project. We used our DNR grant to facilitate the design, purchase the trees, and help the neighbors plant this urban natural area.

Traffic Circles - We have acted as fiscal sponsor for small community groups interested in establishing traffic circles to ease speeding on neighborhood streets and create islands of green in a sea of pavement.

Salmon Symposium - In May 2001 we sponsored "Salmon in Ballard: A Local Perspective" with Seattle Parks and Recreation and King County. Over 200 people attended a stimulating forum with educational displays prepared by local high school students, beach tours, dunes restoration, and a panel discussion with local experts and entertainment provided by local groups and Haida dancers.

Thyme Patch Park is a community garden located just east of 30th Ave. NW, on the south side of NW 58th St. We helped identify and purchase the property and led the effort to build neighborhood support for the project.

Ballard Skate Park - We served as fiscal sponsor for the North Seattle Street Skaters' successful effort to establish a skate park as an interim use at the old Safeway site in the heart of Ballard. A new skate bowl is included in the Ballard Commons design.

Soundview Playground - Groundswell served as fiscal sponsor for this outstanding, newly renovated playground located on NW 90th St. and 20th Ave NW. A large group of volunteers raised money and dramatically improved this play area dedicated in June 2003.

6th Avenue Pocket Park - Our identification of this abandoned City Light facility at 76th St. and 6th Ave. NW as an open space opportunity and support for a neighborhood group looking to transform it into a pocket park led to funding for acquisition through the ProParks Levy. The new park opened in May 2005.

Salmon Bay School Sports Field - We coordinated the effort to remove 1½-acres of asphalt and install a youth-sized synthetic turf soccer field, ¼- kilometer track, and basketball courts behind Salmon Bay School at NW 67th St. and 18th Ave. NW. The sports field opened in October 2005.

Ship Canal Landscaping Project - In cooperation with the Seattle Parks Dept., Army Corps of Engineers, Starbucks, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce and Fremont Rotary, we organized community work parties to install 1,500 plants along the ship canal in Fremont.

Ballard In Motion - King County Metro Transit is bringing a new program to Ballard aimed at increasing the use of transit, carpooling, bicycling and walking.