In celebration of Ballard's green spaces, Groundswell NW features and celebrates a "Park of the Month" and the community around it. In September the spotlight is on Kirke Park. Located 9th NW between NW 70th and NW 73rd, Kirke Park is Ballard's newest park.

From Groundswell NW:

“Kirke" is a Nordic word meaning "church"and was chosen as the park name to recognize this land as the former site of the Seventh Elect Church in Israel, a small religious sect founded in 1922 by a Midwestern preacher named Daniel Sawlt. The men of the colony were easily recognized by their long hair and beards. In the early days of the church they were often seen preaching downtown on the corner of Pike and Fourth. They also asked for odd jobs in the neighborhood, which alarmed some of the neighbors. Following Sawlt's death in 1929, the colony, which embraced a celibate lifestyle, declined in membership. The church survived for another eighty years, however, until it was officially dissolved in February 2010. Rumors of strange activity among the few last men who lived at the site circulated widely due to the secluded nature of the property. A more detailed history of the park can be found on the Groundswell NW website under "Projects.“

In April 2008, neighbors learned the property was for sale and alerted Groundswell. Quickly the Seattle Parks Department's acquisition staff were brought in, and with money from the 2000 Parks Levy the church land was saved from private development. An active friends of the park group helped convene several public sessions to evaluate plans for the park and helped select SiteWorks as the contractor to create the new park. Plans include a pea-patch and a community garden, as well as a discovery trail and children's play area. Even in its present unfinished form there have been 2 movie nights and several holly sales as well as a couple ice cream socials. Whittier Heights neighbors are delighted that this last large property will be a treasure for years to come.

Construction of the new park features are expected to begin sometime this fall, with completion in the spring of 2012.