101 Things To Do In Ballard: Pick a pocket park

Have you ever traveled down a residential street in Ballard and discovered a small park you didn’t know existed?

Several “pocket parks” are tucked away like little surprises in neighborhoods around the Ballard area. Finding them reminds me of going on a treasure hunt and discovering hidden gems.

After stumbling upon some by accident and talking to a few longtime Ballard residents and Seattle Parks and Recreation staff, I think I’ve discovered them all.

Here is a brief description of each. Try bicycling to them all some sunny day. Maybe pack snacks or a multi-course lunch to enjoy at each stop, like a traveling supper party.

I’ve omitted a few that are unofficial and not designated as parks by the city, but that’s another, more controversial story. If I’ve missed any you know about, chime in with a comment below.

Ballard Corners

Located at the corner of 17th Avenue Northwest and Northwest 62nd Street a few blocks north of the Ballard Post Office, this park invites you to come on in and have a seat in the living room. Literally.

The realistic-looking concrete sofa, easy chair and end table, complete with a lamp in a corner, remind me of Grandma’s house (without the excessive knick knacks).

Along the sidewalk on 17th Avenue runs a natural-looking, stone-lined drainage rain garden to collect rain and storm water and mimic a temporary urban stream when it rains hard.

Crown Hill Glen/Natural Area

You’re not likely to find this park by chance unless you’re visiting friends who live nearby. This lovely little nature park full of native plants and trees lies in north Crown Hill at a dead-end between 19th Avenue Northwest and 20th Avenue Northwest a few blocks north of Northwest 85th Street.

At more than 4,000 square feet, Crown Hill Glen is large for a pocket park, but it qualifies for my list because it’s a quiet, unassuming neighborhood spot. Bring your binoculars to watch birds that stop by, and meander along the pathway loop through the trees.

Thyme Patch Park

Of all the parks I mention, Thyme Patch Park is truly a “cute little park.” This wee park is sandwiched between a couple homes on Northwest 58th Street just east of 30th Avenue Northwest. I missed it on my first drive by because I blinked.

Walk up a few steps to a round patch of grass fringed by healthy shrubs and a bench. At the front of the park is a small but tidy Master Gardener demonstration garden in raised beds and P-Patches are in the back. Admire but don’t harvest.

Sixth Avenue Northwest Pocket Park

Set on the fringe of Greenwood on Northwest 76th Street, this is one of the newest pocket parks in our corner of Seattle.

As with many of these petite parks, it features innovative and lovely landscaping, native plants, open space and an interactive play area for kids. If you feel like a game of chess or checkers, check out the stone checkerboard at the entrance.

Webster Park

This too is a little large for a pocket park, but the landscaped portion and play area doesn’t span a whole block. At the corner of Northwest 68th Street and 30th Avenue Northwest, Webster Park is bordered on the south by a paved sports playfield with hoops and on the east by the Nordic Heritage Museum parking lot.

There’s a large, sand-covered play area with lots of equipment for kids to climb and crawl all over. Sculptured murals on some of the low-lying walls reflect the Nordic theme of the museum next door.

Baker Park

This park immediately east of the Crown Hill Safeway and behind some single-story offices on Northwest 85th Street is easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. Watch out for the totem pole just off Mary Avenue Northwest, which was carved from a monkey puzzle tree.

Baker Park sits between Mary Avenue and 14th Avenue Northwest, with a play area, benches and tables, and a pathway through the park.

Look down toward your feet as you walk near the play area — whimsical, colorful tiles are embedded in the creatively designed concrete and paving stones along the pathway.

Baker Park is a designated pesticide-free park.

A couple more Ballard pocket parks are in the planning and design stages now: the Ninth Avenue Northwest park and the Sunset Hill substation park.

Click here for a virtual tour of Ballard's pocket parks.

Seattle-born Jill Irwin lives in Crown Hill. She writes about things to do around the region at her blog Pacific Northwest Seasons.