Construction started Wednesday on Ballard’s newest park | Development

A woman walking past the neighborhood’s unofficial park space on Ninth Avenue had to disappoint the two children with her, telling them they couldn’t play on “the ruins” – old concrete walls left standing on the property – Wednesday because a city crew was busy tearing out trees and other vegetation. The news went down easier when she told the kids they’d soon have a brand new park to enjoy.

Seattle Parks and Recreation started construction on Kirke Park, formerly known as the Ninth Avenue Northwest Park, Feb. 1. The park, located at 7028 Ninth Ave. N.W., should be completed by early June.

“It will provide a great space for Whittier Heights neighbors to meet, relax and work together within a short distance from their homes,” Friends of Kirke Park’s Alyssa Smith said when designs were completed last January.

Construction will start on the north end of the site, move to the south end and wrap up in the center. Work is scheduled to take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

When all is said and done, Kirke Park will feature a P-Patch and orchard on the north end of the site, a paved seating area with a trellis in the center, and a play area with swings and other equipment on the south end. Designs also show a “secret garden” constructed using portions of the ruins, a natural play area along the back of the park, and lots of open lawn space.

If you want to get really wonky, you can check out the incredibly technical final Kirke Park plans provided by the city.

Seattle Parks and Recreation purchased the site, which was home to a kooky Ballard commune known as the Church of Seventh Elect in Spiritual Israel for more than 90 years, with funds from the 2000 Pro Parks Levy. The department set aside $800,000 for the park’s design and construction from the 2008 Parks & Green Spaces Levy.

The first public meeting on Kirke Park took place in November 2009, and the park has been helping build community ever since. Neighbors have hosted work parties, ice cream socials and outdoor movie nights on the site.