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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Seattle Parks and Recreation Names New Park in Ballard
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
3/2/2007 11:20:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joelle Ligon (206) 233-7929
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Seattle Parks and Recreation Names New Park in Ballard
Seattle Parks and Recreation Interim Superintendent Betty Jean "B.J."
Brooks announced today the naming of Ballard Corners Park.
Ballard Corners Park is located on the southwest corner of 17th Avenue
NW and NW 63rd Street. The park consists of two land parcels -- one of which
was purchased with funding from the Pro Parks Levy Opportunity Fund in 2003.
Seattle Parks and Recreation recently purchased the second parcel, which has
been occupied by an empty home for more than 10 years.
The Friends of Ballard Corners Park (the community's working name for the park)
received a matching grant from the Department of Neighborhoods in November 2005
to hire a landscape architect to help create a park plan. The plan includes
an open lawn, a small play area, a small seating area, a gateway reminiscent
of the corner store that once existed at the site, and a rain garden through
the planting strip.
In 2005, the Friends applied for and received a $150,000 grant from the Pro
Parks Levy Opportunity Fund for development construction. The group is actively
raising more money to fund the park plan.
Approved by Seattle voters in 2000, the $198.2 million Pro Parks Levy funds
more than 100 projects throughout the city over eight years. Projects include
improvements to athletic fields, playgrounds, trails and community centers and
parks. Funding also increases green spaces, supports Zoo programs and enhances
park maintenance.
This project will help build a stronger community and healthy families, one
of Mayor Greg Nickels' highest priorities for Seattle.
The Park Naming Committee is comprised of one representative of the Board of
Park Commissioners, one representative of the Seattle City Councilmember who
chairs the committee dealing with parks issues, and one representative of the
Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. For more information about the park
naming process, please contact Paula Hoff, Seattle Parks and Recreation, at
206-615-0368 or paula.hoff@seattle.gov.
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Seattle Parks and Recreation
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