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New Park on 9th
What’s the Story Behind Ballard’s Newest Park? Print E-mail

by Friends of 9th Avenue NW Park History Committee

Misconceptions and rumors about the history of Ballard’s new park at 7028 9th Avenue NW have circulated for years, perhaps because the former owners mostly kept to themselves and practiced a faith that outsiders considered eccentric. Incorporated in 1922, the Seventh Elect Church in Israel had no connection to the Love Israel commune. It was a small sect, and by 1990 there were only a few elderly members who lived on the property. They quietly practiced their religion, effectively walled off from the neighbors by towering holly and laurel hedges. Since the city purchased the property in April 2008, the hedges have been drastically cut back and will eventually go, but the stories persist.

 

We haven’t been able to conclusively prove or disprove the neighborhood lore.  But after poring through contemporary newspapers and various documents, we feel that it’s reasonable to conclude that the large building had in fact been a downtown hotel that was moved to the property—most likely in pieces—in the early 1920s. Had it been a brothel? Its guests were probably no different, one way or another, from those of other single-room-occupancy hotels, which catered to single workers in Seattle’s timber, fishing, and other industries. Was the deceased founder ever kept (preserved) in the basement in anticipation of the Second Coming? Not according to newspaper accounts of the day, although the actual story of Daniel Salwt’s passing in 1929 is curious enough.

 

The Seventh Elect Church is not in itself historically significant. Nor are the church buildings, according to the architectural firm that researched the property for the city. But the church comes directly out of the nineteenth-century American millennial culture that also produced the Mormons, Seventh-day Adventists, and Jehovah’s Witnesses. Beyond that, it’s an interesting bit of Ballard history.

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October 2009 SC minutes Print E-mail

Next meeting November 18th at Joan’s, 6pm.

Park Development

Public meetings will start November 19th, 630pm at Whittier Elementary

Holly Sale

Our annual Holly Work Party and Sale will be November 28, Saturday. Work party from 9-12 pm, 12 pm – 3 pm Holly Sale. Volunteers needed to burn calories and clear brush!  Proceeds used to cover development costs not covered by the city.

Anne and Joani will work with Starbucks to get warm beverages donated.

 

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New Park on 9th: September 2009 SC minutes Print E-mail

Next meeting October 21 at 7049 9th Ave NW, 6pm.

Holly Sale

Our annual Holly Work Party and Sale will be November 28, Saturday. Work party from 9-12 pm, 12 pm – 3 pm Holly Sale. Volunteers needed to burn calories and clear brush!

Anne and Joanie will work with Starbucks to get warm beverages donated.

Alyssa will ask Ballard Market for tasty treats.

An Eagle Scout may be helping out with the work party and other tasks in the park.

Joanie and Anne will recruit kids from SAAS

Alyssa will be at the Volunteer Fair at BHS on 10/8 to recruit volunteers.

Notices will go out to the Ballard News Tribune and MyBallard in addition to flyers and the Citywide Events Calendar.

 

Park Development

Site Workshop has been chosen as our consultant (landscape architect).

Mailers should go out in October.

Public meetings will start in November.

 

Crime in neighborhood

Neighbors have reported increased drug activity at the corner of 70th and 9thNW, near the Park.

If you see something, CALL 911 with a description of the activity and the license plates involved.

Log the event with your Block Watch Captain, and Alyssa will try to collect the info so Parks can work with SPD to make the area safe. Thanks!

 
New Park on 9th: June SC Minutes Print E-mail

June 2009 minutes

Review of May minutes

Surveys: Were not distributed due to small meeting. Will be handed out at work party/fundraiser on 7/18 and posted online if fee is approved.

Small Sparks Grant: Cards are printed and ready for distribution at the 7/18 events!.

Volunteers for Ice Cream: L. Moriarty is tracking down a source for ice cream bars/novelties. Alyssa will be talking to the grocery stores who helped last year.

September or October meeting: Alyssa will try to get a Dept of Neighborhood staffer to talk about P-Patches. Since our park is going through a completely different dev process than any other recently, the decision was made to skip having another group vol lead come to talk.

Next meeting July 15 @ the Park

 
New Park on 9th: May SC Minutes Print E-mail

Review of April minutes

Surveys: Will be distributed at the June meeting to Block Wardens, who will distribute and collect the survey within their immediate neighborhood.

Small Sparks Grant: Funding should be arriving shortly. Barbara will double check the quote for the info cards and get back to Alyssa.

Volunteers for Ice Cream: Group agreed to find volunteers to help with the ice cream social and report back in two weeks.

Eagle Scout Project: Alyssa checked with Parks, and usually these projects are supervised by the head gardener (J. Blecksmith). Alyssa will refer Spencer to Jody.

September or October meeting: Alyssa will try to get a Dept of Neighborhood staffer to talk about P-Patches and D. Folweiler of Ballard Corners (or another volunteer lead) to talk about development process for fall meetings.

Next meeting: June 15 @ the Park

 
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