Children made some decisions on what playground equipment should be installed at a new park.

There were adults also at the Friends of Ballard Corners Park Design Workshop last week when Barker Landscape Architects showed design drawings of the park and offered four play structures for the kids to choose from.

The park will be built on city property between Northwest 62nd Street and Northwest 63rd Street along the west side of 17th Avenue Northwest.

This was the third public meeting on the proposed park. The design started with seven concepts has been narrowed down to one.

Page Crutcher, a landscape architect with Barker Landscape Architects started the meeting by showing pictures of the four play structures

"Galaxy Climbing Structure," made of metal and plastic received the support of at least three children and some adults.

This shiny tubular structure has a spinning element that two kids can sit on. There is a ladder for climbing and a spot to hang out on, somewhat like a hammock.

The "Galaxy Climbing Structure," offered the most variety for playtime and one child who used it at another playground said it was fun. Overall three kids and some adults voiced their support for the "Galaxy" option.

Friends of Ballard Commons Park Co-Chair David Folweiler confirmed the selection of the "Galaxy Climbing Structure," as winner among the four structures under consideration.

"As children grow older, it will have new challenges in it," said Crutcher.

Other choices included: the "High Stepper Mini," a spider like device with a bouncing element; "The Blue," a cone shaped spinning structure described as being similar to a merry go round in the air; and The Ridge, a rock like climbing structure.

The children's play area is just a small part of the park design. The section for the play area is too small for a traditional playground swing set.

Crutcher said the idea was for the play structure to be "transparent and not take over the site."

Boudin's Grocery store operated on the site from the early 1900s up to the mid-1950s.

With that in mind, the architects are designing the entryway with a corner store theme.

The name of the park will be made from blue and white tiles, similar to the old tiles with street names, found on some Ballard street corners. It will be mounted above the entry, which resembles a store.

Walls on each side the entry will resemble store windows, with soda fountain style seats.

Blue and white Donor Recognition tiles with the names of supporters will be sold as a fundraiser for $100. Friends of Ballard Corners Park has not yet decided where the tiles would be placed.

Friends of Ballard Corners Park must also decide if the tiles will be made of ceramics or metal. Ceramics are more vulnerable to damage from vandals.

Public safety was one topic of discussion. Concrete with an anti-graffiti coating that does not absorb spray paint will be used to deter taggers.

The issue of lighting in the park is still unsettled. Folweiler said it's a "tricky balance," deciding to light the park or not to light it at all.

Whatever lighting is added cannot be too bright to disturb neighbors.

Visibility has been an issue in designing other neighborhood parks for safety reasons so people can see what is going on from the street to prevent illegal activities.

"There will be open visibility and site lines. There will be no vegetation blocking views," said Crutcher.

John Barker, owner of Baker Landscaping Architects came up with the idea to put in a Rain Garden. He has incorporated Rain Gardens in other parks he has worked on.

A Rain Garden is a bio-retention area with plants that filter storm water runoff.

Crutcher said the Rain Garden will be 125 linear feet in length and will installed between the street and the sidewalk.

The southern end of the park will feature a "masonry living room," complete with couch, easy chair and end table.

"The idea is a quiet contemplative spot," said Folweiler.

A community garden, mature fruit trees, large open lawn, a small skate boarding element and meandering sidewalk and pathways are also planned.

The cost of the project is $420,000. The Pro-Parks Levy passed in 2000 provided $150,000 for development of the project.

Folweiler, said the project has a good shot of receiving a $100,000 grant from the City of Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods' Large Project Fund. That grant application is due on April 9 with the announcement in September.

If that grant is awarded, Friends of Ballard Corners Park must come up with funds to match it.

The King County Council has provided $20,000 that can be used as a match. Volunteer work hours from members of the community can also be used.

Dean Wong may be contacted at dino@robinsonnews.com or 783.1244.