Sustainable Ballard

Est. 2003 · Seattle
Get Involved

Category: Uncategorized

  • Greenwood Triangle Project – seeking interested community members

    Greenwood Triangle Project – seeking interested community members

    Sustainable Ballard is looking for people who might be interested in getting involved in planning for the Greenwood Triangle / intersection of 3rd Ave NW and NW 56th Street.  In addition to the Seattle Department of Transportation description of the project (see below), there is some community interest in creating a community garden, a water feature or plan for the substantial seep / creek that comes down 56th to the intersection, and tying into the bike greenway that ends at West Woodland and directs bikers up the hill via this intersection?

    Interested?  Let us know.

    Seattle Department of Transportation Project Description
    The existing intersection of NW 56th Street, 3rd Avenue NW, and NW 55th Place is a five-way intersection with stop controls at NW 56th Street and NW 55th Place. 3rd Avenue NW is a two-way, two lane arterial roadway with on-street parking provided on both sides of the street. NW 56th Street is a local two-way, two lane local roadway with parking provided on both sides east of the intersection. NW 55th Place is an arterial roadway and approaches the intersection skewed, and at a steep grade, which limits sight distance to vehicles and pedestrians at the intersection. Space is not provided for on street parking on NW 55th Place. Existing sidewalks are located along both sides of 3rd Avenue NW and NW 56th Street. No pedestrian facilities are located along NW 55th Place. West Woodland Elementary School is located one block west of this intersection and the Greenwood Triangle Park is located at the southwest corner of the intersection. Utilities observed at the intersection consist of overhead power and communications, sewer, and storm drainage.

    The proposed improvements would close NW 55th Place and convert the intersection to a four-way stop controlled intersection. The arterial route would be changed from NW 55th Place to NW 55th Street located south of this site. Curb bulbs would be installed on 3rd Avenue NW and new ADA-compliant curb ramps would be installed on all corners and upgraded drainage would be provided due to the new intersection geometry. The closure of NW 55th Place at the intersection provides the opportunity to increase the amount of green space at the Greenwood Triangle Park. There is one parcel with access provided from NW 55th Place that would need to be maintained. This project will be required to utilize Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) to the maximum amount feasible. Generally this could consist of new tree plantings and some small raingardens.

    More information from SDOT (scroll down to second project description).

  • Mayor announces new legacy funding plan to maintain parks and community centers

    Mayor announces new legacy funding plan to maintain parks and community centers

    (March 13, 2014) – Mayor Ed Murray today announced that he will send legislation to the City Council proposing a new sustainable funding source to repair, maintain and restore basic services at the City’s parks, community centers and regional attractions such as the Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium.

    “In Seattle, we love and enjoy the 465 parks and 26 community centers built and acquired by the City over the past century,” said Murray at a press conference, flanked by organizational partners and community supporters. “We understand that a safe, active, and accessible parks system is an essential part of a healthy, vibrant, thriving city. By providing sustainable funding for much-needed repairs and improvements at our parks, we have an opportunity to be more than grateful beneficiaries of a previous legacy – we can create our own legacy for future generations. ”
    If passed by the Council and the approved by the voters, Murray’s proposal would:
    ·         Fund on average forty additional parks and community centers maintenance projects each year, including ongoing funding to complete as many as twelve maintenance projects at the Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle Aquarium;
    ·         Keep community centers open for more hours, provide funding to make upgrades to existing community centers, and leave open the possibility of adding more community centers as the city grows;
    ·         Expand programming for seniors, people with disabilities and underserved populations;
    ·         Develop fourteen new parks on land already in City ownership; and
    ·         Provide funding for an urban parks partnership model to promote creative collaborations in downtown to activate parks with a focus on safety.
    Murray’s proposal would implement the Parks Legacy Plan Citizens Advisory Committee’s recommendation for creating a park district. The model, implemented in sixteen jurisdictions already in Washington, would put in place a stable and dedicated funding source for parks.
    “I believe our community will embrace a park district as a reliable, ongoing source of funding that is accountable to the public and mirrors the commitment of Seattle’s residents to keeping our parks open and accessible to everyone,” said Murray, who noted that a perpetual lack of funding has created a $267 million backlog of maintenance projects at facilities all across the city.
    The park district will be a junior taxing authority with the ability to levy up to $.75 per $1,000 of assessed value. The Mayor’s package would tax homeowners at a rate of about $.42 per $1,000 of assessed value and collect about $54 million a year. It would cost the owner of a $400,000 home in Seattle about $14 a month, or around 50 cents per day.
    Murray’s announcement came at Hiawatha Community Center, the oldest community center in the city. In 1911, Hiawatha Field House was the fledging effort of a small city to establish a system of recreation centers. City planners chose the site because the adjacent Hiawatha Playfield was the largest public playfield in Seattle at the time. Today Hiawatha continues to be in high demand. It has waitlists for its after-school childcare, preschool and summer camp programs, and attracts nearly 5,000 people to its popular summer concert series and annual barbeque fundraiser.
    The Citizen’s Advisory Committee is comprised of 15 volunteers appointed by the Mayor and City Council. The committee, which began meeting in June 2013, made its recommendations to the Mayor and City Council on Wednesday, March 12.
    Murray was joined at the press conference today by Citizens Advisory Committee Co-Chairs Barbara Wright and Charlie Zaragoza, Woodland Park Zoo Executive Director Deborah Jensen, Seattle Aquarium Executive Director Bob Davidson, Neighborhood House Executive Director Mark Okazaki, Forterra Executive Director Gene Duvenoy, Arboretum Foundation Executive Director Paige Miller, Downtown Seattle Association Executive Director Kate Joncas.
    “Parks make Seattle great.  Thanks to the generosity of taxpayers over the past decades, we have created affordable and inviting places for every adult and child to play throughout our city,” said Councilmember Sally Bagshaw.  “My goals are to prioritize the maintenance and improvement of our existing facilities, and assure positive programs for all ages and abilities,” Bagshaw added.

    Murray will transmit legislation to the City Council with his recommendations on Tuesday, March 18. City Council has until May 5 to submit a ballot measure for an Aug. 5 vote.

  • Your Very Own Garden Workshop for Kids – Mar 22

    Your Very Own Garden Workshop for Kids – Mar 22

    10–11am at Swanson’s Nursery

    Hey kids, come plant your own mini-veggie garden with Swanson’s kids’ garden expert, Justin Brooks. You’ll learn how to sow yummy radishes and baby carrots in your portable take-home garden! Space is limited to 15 kids ages 6 and up. Call Swansons at 206-782-2543 to register. The $10 fee covers all materials used for your garden.

  • Public Meeting for 2nd Ballard Greenway – Mar 25

    Public Meeting for 2nd Ballard Greenway – Mar 25

    The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is getting ready to talk about a second neighborhood greenway in Ballard.

    Neighborhood greenways are safer, calmer residential streets for you, your family, neighbors and customers. Neighborhood greenways do not add bike lanes and there are minimal if any on-street parking impacts. Last year one was completed on NW 58th Street. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, please do. This year SDOT is evaluating a north-south route in the area of 17th Avenue NW from Salmon Bay to Soundview Playfield.

    An important part of the evaluation is talking to the people who live, work, shop and play in the area. The first public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25 from 6 to 7:30PM in the Commons Room at Ballard High School. Please mark your calendars and help spread the word.

    This is the first of two public meetings. The first meeting shares traffic data and helps SDOT staff understand where people want to walk and bike, and the barriers to doing so. At the second meeting we share the results of technical analysis and public comment and the most promising route.

    If you have questions or comments you want to share in advance feel free to contact Dawn Schellenberg, 206-684-5189.

  • Beekeeping 101: Intro to Beekeeping

    Beekeeping 101: Intro to Beekeeping

    Saturday, March 15, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Swanson’s Nursery: 9701 15th Ave. NW

    Have you been thinking about raising bees in your backyard? Honeybees are an asset to the backyard gardener because they pollinate fruit trees, berries, vegetables, and other garden plants. And of course, their honey is a delicious and valuable product you can harvest at home and share with your family and friends.

    Corky Luster, apiarist and founder of the Ballard Bee Company, will present a lecture-style introductory course covering the fundamentals of beekeeping, including equipment, parts of the hive, apiary location and codes, feeding and treating bees, as well as seasonal management. Contact Ballard Bee Company to sign up for seminars: (206) 459-4131.

    On March 29, Corky will offer a follow-up seminar, Beekeeping 201: Beginning Your Apiary. There is a $35/person charge for each seminar, or bring a friend for a discounted $60/2 people. Each class finishes with a drawing for beekeeping equipment. Class size is limited to 30 people; payment in full holds your spot. (Cancellations can be made up to 2 weeks before each class). Learn more about Ballard Bee Company.

  • Central Ballard apartment residents are needed

    Central Ballard apartment residents are needed

    to help plan the future of Ballard!

    The Ballard Urban Design group is hoping to add a place on the Urban Design and Transportation Committee for engaged community members who live in and can offer the perspective of central Ballard apartment dwellers.  The commitment would be attendance at monthly meetings — likely later afternoon — through the end of 2015, and attendance at three large community meetings.  The reward is an excellent opportunity to work with neighbors and the City on shaping the future of Ballard.   The group is looking for people who have collaborative personalities and understand that the focus will be on setting a plan for the future rather than reviewing current development proposals.

    For more information, contact David Goldberg, Senior Planner with the City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development, (206) 615-1447.

  • STFS Spring Grafting Fair – Mar 22

    STFS Spring Grafting Fair – Mar 22

    Seattle Tree Fruit Society Spring Grafting Fair – March 22, 10:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m.
    at the Cedar Valley Grange, 20526 – 52nd Ave W, Lynnwood, WA 98036.

    Practice grafting apples, pears and stone fruits. More than 200 varieties of apples, numerous varieties of pears, plums and cherries, as well as a limited number of potted hybrid rasp-blackberries and currants, and kiwi and fig cuttings to propagate. Learn about fruit in lectures by David Johnson- “Growing Grapes”, by Kiwibob – “Kiwis and Figs”, Randy Lee – “Soil
    Fertility”, and Dave Pehling – “Little Known Pollinators”. Learn about about pests and diseases, and bring your pruners to be sharped. Admission: $5 for non-members.

    Driving Directions from Interstate 5 Northbound : Take Exit 179, turn right onto 220th St SW, turn left on 52nd Ave W, just a couple blocks to 20526 – 52 nd Ave on your Left.

    Driving Directions from Interstate 5 Southbound: Take Exit 181 for WA 524 westbound, merge onto 196th St SW, turn left on 50th Ave W, it becomes Cedar Valley Road and then becomes 52nd Ave W.Continue to 20526 – 52nd Ave on your right.

    Contact: Ingela Wanerstrand
    Green Darner Garden Design
    206-941-1478

  • Seattle Tilth’s March Edible Plant Sale – Mar 15

    Seattle Tilth’s March Edible Plant Sale – Mar 15

    Get ready for spring gardening!

    Saturday, March 15 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    Pacific Market Center
    6100 Fourth Avenue South (enter on 5th Ave S)
    Seattle, WA

    Come out to this festive spring gardener gathering and find a huge selection of edible plant starts perfect for spring planting.  Admission is FREE – come browse and get ideas for your spring garden!

    Variety is the Spice of Life

    Choose from a wide selection of organically, sustainably and locally grown veggies, herbs, edible flowers, fruit shrubs, fruit trees, seeds, supplies and knowledge galore —  perfect for planting in March. Seattle Tilth garden educators have carefully selected varieties that grow well in our maritime northwest climate. You will find:

    • Easy-to-grow plants for beginners such as lettuce, greens and peas
    • Favorites such as collards, kale, Swiss chard, rhubarb and strawberries.
    • Exotic, rare and heirloom plants that will excite more experienced gardeners including asparagus, horseradish, artichokes, onions, broccoli and blueberries.
    • Irresistible highlights for foodies include edible flowers, bulbing fennel, red scallions, Romanesco broccoli and dozens of culinary herbs.
    • Fruiting shrubs and fruit bearing trees will be available from Burnt Ridge Nursery.

    Plant Lists

    See what plants we are selling so you can plan your shopping list. Most veggies are $3, herbs and flowers $4; tree and shrub prices vary.

    Herb and Flower List

    Vegetable List

    Fruiting Tree and Shrub List

    Early Bird Sale: Friday, March 14, 2014

    Tickets on sale now for $25. Buy here!

    For people who want to shop early with limited crowds and first choice, come to the Early Bird Sale 6-7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 14. A limited number of tickets are available as a special fundraiser to benefit Seattle Tilth’s educational programs, and all our volunteers get in for free.

    Pick-up a Wristband in the Morning

    A staggered entry system allows the maximum number of people to enjoy the sale and keep the entrance flowing smoothly during the the high tide (probably 9-10 a.m.). Enjoy vendors in the parking lot while you wait to enter the sale!

    Hot Tips

    Take a look at some ideas to help you have a great time at the sale. Read our Hot Tips for Happy Shopping.

    Our Growers

    See where our plants come from! If you have more questionsabout our growers, please visit the Seattle Tilth booth at the plant sale.
    See the list of all our growers.

    Get Directions to Pacific Market Center

    Get Directions to our venue, Pacific Market Center, just 3 miles straight south of downtown Seattle on 4th Ave. South. Parking is plentiful. Access the sale and parking via 5th Ave. S.

    Payment Types

    At the sale we will accept cash, checks with ID and Visa/Master Card credit cards.

  • Labateyah House Gardening – Feb. 22

    Labateyah House Gardening – Feb. 22

    Saturday Feb. 22, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    Labateyah House, 9010 13th Ave NW
    We’ll be starting a garden that will produce a thousand pounds of fresh produce each year (in time, maybe five tons). Better, it will teach young people to grow, cook, and enjoy real, good food. Even the farmer’s market can’t beat that for nutrition, sustainability, and satisfaction.
    Welcome to the Labateyah gardening crew. Whether you come for just our February 22 work party to start the garden, or come over and over, we’re happy to have you along.
    Labateyah House is a project of United Indians of All Tribes. It provides a safe and nurturing environment for homeless youth, combining Native American wisdom and ceremony with modern educational, medical and social services. The three-story, 25-bed home offers transitional and state group housing to youth between the ages of 18 and 23. Youth can stay for up to 18 months and are provided with access to medical and educational services, case management, life skills training and career counseling in preparation to living and working on their own.
    The Garden – Labateyah has a front lawn which totals close to 4000 sq.ft. Last fall, we covered a quarter of this area with cardboard and compost. This dark layer has killed the lawn. The cardboard may be rotten enough to till into the soil, as well. If not, we’ll have to remove it. In either case, we’ll rototill the compost and dead lawn plants into the top layer of soil. That will give us three inches of great garden soil.
    That’s not nearly enough. We want at least twice as much. The biggest rototillers won’t go that deep, so we’ll have some shovel work to do.
    February is very early to start planting. Only the most cold-tolerant seeds can take it, so we’ll start with peas and some hardy greens. To give them a boost, we’ll build cloches to warm them by day and hold warmth at night. Our cloches will be made with recycled wooden frames and plastic sheeting from mattress store dumpsters. In March, we’ll have vegetable starts grown by students at Ballard High.
    The Community – There’s more work than we can do in one day, and there’s more garden spots waiting for us. Part of the goal is to bring people together. Some of the youth and staff at Labateyah will help out on the 22nd, and everyone will learn new skills and methods for growing great food in our communities.
    What to Bring – First, bring friends!  Of course.
    Second, dress for dirt and for the weather.
    Third, bring work gloves. We have some, but yours fit you. If you have shovels and wheelbarrows handy, they’re good too. Other tools might be handy as well.
    Fourth, we’ll have good food, but I always enjoy it when people bring a dish of their own.
    Finally, bring a friend.  Another one.
    Questions?  Email Fred Miller or call 206-453-4471.
  • Join us at the next Ballard Social – Mar 19

    Join us at the next Ballard Social – Mar 19

    Ballard Social is a monthly cocktail party for those who live and work in Ballard.  Sustainable Ballard will be there to meet new folks and share what we’re all about.

    The next event is Wednesday, March 19th, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m, upstairs at Ray’s Boathouse, 6049 Seaview Ave NW.

    There will be at least one host there, introduce yourself to her, she’ll introduce you to more people in the group. Everyone is there to meet their neighbors so don’t be shy, just introduce yourself!

    For those of you that have not been yet, Ray’s is right on the water and the view from their big windows is of the water. Very pretty!

    Ray’s Boathouse
    Mar 19, 2014 on Wed
    (3rd Wed of the month)
    Address: 6049 Seaview Ave NW, 98107
    Starts at 7 pm (to 9 pm)
    (P.S. Entry is free, everyone buys their own drinks / 21 and older)