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Crown Hill-Ballard Neighborhood Plan

Open Space & Recreation

Many of the past and current members of Groundswell NW, including members of the board of directors contributed significant time and resources to the development of the the Open Space & Recreation (OS/R) Plan of the Crown Hill-Ballard Neighborhood Plan (CHB Plan). The CHB Plan was a major undertaking completed during 1996. The Open Space and Recreation topic goals focused on three major priorities:

  1. Acquisition and development of several new OS/R sites
  2. Enhancement of existing facilities
  3. Creation of a network of "green" links connecting major OS/R, transportation, residential and commercial facilities throughout the neighborhood.

What Was Planned

Open space and recreation was one of the highest rated priorities of residents during neighborhood planning. Among the numerous ideas included in the OS/R plan were the following:

  • Develop a 2-acre park in conjunction with the Ballard Municipal Center project.
  • Develop playfields and other recreation facilities at the Crown Hill School site.
  • Acquire and develop several other new OS/R sites and facilities, including children's play areas, passive pocket parks, and a skateboard park.
  • Complete the Burke-Gilman Trail.
  • Preserve ecologically vital land along Salmon Bay and Shilshole.
  • Develop "gateways" to the community that combine art and green space.
  • Preserve and develop all "surplus" public land, such as City and Seattle School District owned properties for OS/R uses.
  • Preserve and develop street end and public rights-of-way for future water, view, or pedestrian access.
  • Complete major enhancements of existing OS/R sites and facilities, including more tennis courts and ball fields.
  • Create a network of "green links" that make it more pleasant to be a pedestrian or cyclist.
  • Redevelop Bergen Place on Market St.
  • Provide additional staffing at Ballard and Loyal Heights Community Centers.
  • Complete landscaped boulevards at 8th, 14th, and possible 28th Avenues NW.
  • Develop an underwater marine sanctuary between Golden Gardens and Carkeek parks.

What We've Done

In the past several years, during and since neighborhood planning, Crown Hill and Ballard residents have created several wonderful new OS/R sites:

  • Webster Park, next to the Nordic Heritage Museum.
  • Baker Park, off NW 85th St.
  • The Crown Hill Natural Area (aka Plumis Park).
  • A new P-Patch on Metro property at NW 54th and 14th NW.
  • A new P-Patch/pocket park on NW 58th, near 30th NW.

Major planning and development work has begun on the major priorities of the neighborhood OS/R plan, including development of a master plan for the Ballard Municipal Center park, work on extensions of the Burke-Gilman trail, and on development of "gateways" at the north and south ends of 15th Ave NW.

Using neighborhood matching fund grants and with other support, Crown Hill and Ballard residents have made improvements at many neighborhood facilities. For example, neighborhood volunteers renovated the interior of Loyal Heights Community Center, placed interpretive signs at Sunset View Park, and supported creation of a totem pole at Baker Park. Improvements have also been made at Golden Gardens and Gilman parks.

Last, but certainly not least, residents throughout the community continue to volunteer their time and effort, and space around their homes to plant trees and shrubs and flowers to beautify the streets and provide valuable habitat for wildlife.


What's Next?

Major challenges await. We must raise the money to acquire and develop the open space and recreation facilities needed to make and keep our neighborhood a great place to live. We need public and private support for our vision of a livable community.


What You Can Do

  • Plant trees and otherwise care for the natural landscape of Ballard and Crown Hill.
  • Participate in public meetings to provide your input about new opportunities
  • Volunteer with other neighborhood groups to bring our OS/R plans to life.
  • Organize groups of neighbors, friends to complete small and simple projects at churches, schools, clubs, and on public spaces that are still open to improvement.