A new playground project now in the fundraising stage, could brighten up the playground behind the Salmon Bay School.

The 35-year-old field has cracked asphalt with weeds coming up. The fence is rusting away, the retaining walls are worn and uninviting and the basketball hoops are showing their age.

The Salmon Bay School Playground Renovation Project Committee received a $100,000 matchiing grant from the Department of Neighborhoods this summer.

Now organizers are looking for donations from neighbors, businesses, foundations and the new condominium projects sprouting up all over Ballard.

A few years ago the Salmon Bay Athletic Field opened up on the south end of the school property. The Ballard Place Condominiums donated $20,000 to that project.

Sam Star, playground project coordinator is approaching the new cadmium developers to seek similar support.

"It would be welcome if they chipped in on the playground," said Star.

The project needs to raise about $200,000. That estimate depends on an architect donating their work and a landscaping company selling and delivering materials at a wholesale price.

So far over 115 members of the community have pledged volunteer time totaling 1,250 hours to install playground equipment, move soil and install plants. Susan Black Associations donated pre-liminary design drawings.

Students at the Salmon Bay School with an enrollment of 615 K to 8 children were asked for their opinions on playfield improvements. They said they wanted to be able to eat their lunch outside, so picnic tables are part of the plans.

The old play structure will be replaced. "It was an old one for little kids," said Star. The new play structure will be more interesting and challenging for the school's older middle school students.

Children also asked for more landscaping, trees and plants. Half of the existing asphalt will be removed to meet these requests.

The remaining asphalt will receive a new top layer.

Eighteen-inch high retaining walls will be added so more kids can find a place to sit. The walls will be covered with ceramic tiles featuring artwork from children and adults.

The Salmon Bay Athletic Field has been a huge success.

In the past, four people a day would have used that field when it was nothing but bare concrete. Star says on some days, there are up to 100 people using the athletic field which features benches, a soccer field, a running track and basketball courts.

"Sometimes there are soccer games, pick-up games and people walking the track. It's well used," said Star.

The new playground would be open to the public outside of school hours.