Builders here will be asked to pitch in to help purchase more parks and open space for the community and new residents many of the developments will bring here.

Groundswell NW has been the leading non-profit force for acquiring and building parks in Ballard and Crown Hill, and now they plan to get developers to volunteer a percent of their construction costs as a sort of giveback to the community they are impacting.

"We want developers to see the value in this for themselves," said Catherine Darley, a member of Groundswell NW who is leading the new program. "Developers are going to be really contributing in a meaningful way."

The project, called % for Green, has already been somewhat successful.

Continental-Bentall, developers of the $17 million Ballard Place condominiums on 17th Avenue Northwest between Northwest 56th and 57th streets, donated $10,000 to Groundswell to help build the Salmon Bay School playfield, which opened in 2005.

It's been in the works to build on that achievement with a formal program, said Darley.

Developers who are building from the Lake Washington Ship Canal north to about 100th, and from Golden Gardens to roughly Third Avenue Northwest will be asked to participate. None are too large or small, from various sized residential developments to major mixed-use and commercial builders.

"Our thinking is that even the commercial developments are impacting the quality of life, and their patrons also benefit from parks in the neighborhood," Darley said. "For instance, a business patron may enjoy stopping at a local park to eat lunch outside, or let the kids play before doing errands."

It's a smaller scaled version of a proposal Mayor Greg Nickels announced in 2005, which would "make growth pay for growth" by charging developers an "impact fee" to contribute to public open spaces. As it is now, developers are only required to provide a certain amount of open space on-site, such as plazas and rooftop common areas.

A formal proposal never made it to the City Council and the mayor has dropped it.

But Darley is optimistic Groundswell's efforts will be well received by most area developers, especially since they won't all be bombarded at once for funds to go to several different projects.

The plan has a more strategic approach. One park, or acquisition of potential park property, will be focused on at a time.

The new Ballard Corners Park at 17th Avenue Northwest and Northwest 63rd would be the first to benefit from % for Green. Design plans are still awaiting approval from the city, and organizers hope to start construction this year.

The cost of acquiring the property, $770,000, was paid by the Seattle Parks Department and construction costs are estimated at $420,000. Through the city, grants and donations, that amount is covered, but the latest construction cost estimate is $425,000, said David Folweiler, a member of the park's steering committee.

"Hopefully, the % for Green will make up any shortfall and get local developers to realize the importance of contributing to the creation of additional open and green space in a neighborhood with skyrocketing density," he said.

Darley is still working on gaining support from Ballard non-profits, service organizations and environmental groups so they can show developers they represent a broad spectrum of the community.

In about another month, introductory letters will be sent out and then they will decide which developer to approach first. Ideally, Darley is seeking a donation of 1 percent of construction costs, but figures a fraction of that is more realistic.

Groundswell, a registered non-profit, will handle the funds.

Darley also sees this as a way to invite developers to become more a part of the community in which they are building and maybe even dispel any "us vs. them" sentiments.

"We are inviting them to participate in a community value," she said. "We are really excited and passionate about this project (and) hoping it will enable residents to have a lifestyle with great opportunities for open space."

A major goal is to give residents a "connection to green," as density continues to increase in Ballard, said Lydia Marshall, another Groundswell board member.

New mixed-use developments will have an impact on existing parks, too. Ballard on the Park, under construction just west of Ballard Commons Park, will bring another estimated 400 renters to Ballard, many of whom will probably benefit from the proximity to the park.

Groundswell could ask the developers to donate funds for improvements to Commons like a much sought after public restroom.

The eight-story project received a height bonus for building within the Ballard Municipal Center and adhering to desired standards to maximize access to the park.

Some kind of permanent form of recognition, such as a plaque, would be installed at any park that benefits from a development company.

"It's part of making the city a vibrant place," said Marshall. "We are working on the livability piece."

To volunteer with this or other Groundswell NW programs, contact Catherine Darley at 293-2899 or drdarley@naturalsleepmedicine.net.

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached at 783-1244 or rebekahs@robinsonnews.com.