Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is happy to announce the beginning of construction for the new play area at Ballard Commons Park, 5701 22nd Ave NW, in the heart of the Ballard neighborhood. The new play area is nautical-themed with play equipment that will offer climbing and sliding opportunities. A new seat wall, trees and utility updates will all be added to the park during this project.
A-1 Landscaping and Construction Inc., the contractor on the project, will mobilize at the park on Monday, August 28. An east portion of the park along 22nd Ave. NW will be closed during construction. The contractor will work to minimize the impact to the park. The new play area will open in early 2024.
“Youth from every neighborhood in our city deserve opportunities to learn, grow, and play at our parks, community centers, and open spaces,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “We are grateful for the partnership with Seattle Parks & Recreation, Councilmember Dan Strauss, and community groups like Ballard Alliance to revitalize and enhance Ballard Commons Park and make it a safe, active, and welcoming place for this neighborhood. I’m excited that construction on this state-of-the-art play area will begin this month and look forward to seeing how kids, families, and neighbors in Ballard take advantage of this new space once completed.”
“I’m excited the next phase of improving Ballard Commons is underway with the addition of the children’s playground,” said Councilmember Dan Strauss. “The next phases will be the housing projects at St. Luke’s Church scheduled to begin this fall. The Ballard Alliance and community members have championed the addition of this children’s playground for years and partnered with me to secure funding for the project. Building momentum takes time and it is finally becoming a reality! Thank you to Seattle Parks & Recreation for making this happen.”
“The Ballard Alliance is excited to see the playground construction begin this month. We are truly grateful for our partnership on the project with the Mayor’s Office, Seattle Parks and Recreation and the Office of Councilmember Strauss. Not only does this new place offer an amazing opportunity for youth and families in our Ballard urban core, it’s a welcome addition that will help complete the transformation of Ballard Commons Park,” said Ballard Alliance Executive Director Mike Stewart.
Ballard Alliance secured grant funding from the Seattle Office of Economic Development to begin a community engagement process and hired West Studio to assist in community outreach and conceptual design development. The West Studio consolidated the community outreach efforts and provided conceptual design recommendations to inform the design development process and ultimately the realization of a new play area within the park.
Thanks to a budget amendment sponsored by Councilmember Strauss, the project received $1 million of REET funding in 2022 to cover final design, permitting, project management and construction. SPR hired MIG design consultants who finalized the construction drawings and permitting requirements.
For more information please visit https://www.seattle.gov/parks/allparks/ballard-commons-park or contact the project manager, Sai Fang, at sai.fang@seattle.gov.