Mayor Greg Nickels dedicated a public gathering space and overlook on Ballard’s last piece of undeveloped, wooded shoreline on June 7, 2008. The festive event included King County Councilmember Larry Phillips, Department of Neighborhoods Director Stella Chao, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Mike McCor- mack and music by the Susan Harper Conspiracy and Reckless Abandon.

First identified as a potential public open space in Groundswell’s 1996 Ballard/Crown Hill Open Space Inventory and Action Plan, this gem of a site has been a long time in the making. Along with the 34th Avenue Northwest street end, the site protects nearly 700 feet of shoreline that is valuable refuge and rearing habitat for juvenile salmon from the Lake Washington/Cedar River watershed. As the salmon smolt leave the Locks and their bodies adjust to the salt water and put on weight for the journey to the ocean, the shallow nutrient-rich waters provide refuge from predators.

The 1998 listing of Puget Sound salmon as threatened provided impetus and funding opportunities. City Council President Richard Conlin spearheaded initial protections and public funding. Groundswell raised over $60,000 in local donations and was awarded grants of $160,000 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and $150,000 from the Neighborhood Matching Fund for acquisition.

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) took the lead from the city’s side and worked with Groundswell to obtain additional grants from the state Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account and the King Conservation District. Cascade Land Conservancy skillfully led the purchase negotiations.

Three other Neighborhood Matching grants contributed to the construction of the overlook, designed by JA Brennan Associates, Landscape Architects. The second phase of Seattle Public Utility’s project, including demolition of the over-water structures on the site and restoration of the shoreline, was begun in the summer of 2008 and will continue into 2009.

Also continuing is Groundswell’s current matching fund project, now focused on commissioning and installing a landmark art piece that will catch the attention of passersby on Northwest 54th Street and the Burke Gilman Trail.

We are also working to establish a stewardship group of near neighbors and others to help monitor and maintain the site.

Dave Boyd is a member of Groundswell NW, and can be contacted at dave.boyd1@comcast.net or 498-6636.