A life-size Street Scrabble tournament will take place in Ballard this Saturday, Oct. 10, 4 to 6 p.m. hosted by Groundswell Northwest, Ballard Greenways, and the Seattle Department of Transportation. You can watch the action, provide feedback on this kind of use of public space, or take part in the tournament—at the intersection of 17th Avenue Northwest and Northwest Dock Place.

The intersection was recently reconfigured, leaving a large area of open space along 17th Avenue Northwest. SDOT’s Pavement to Parks Program works to create community-driven public spaces in underutilized street space, like this one in Ballard.

Local artists have submitted several mural ideas for an interim look to define the space. Pavement to Parks will fund that initial effort. Groundswell NW has been awarded a $90,000 Neighborhood Park and Street Fund grant to fund a permanent treatment for the intersection.

If you want to compete in the Scrabble tournament, email StreetScrabble@seattle.gov with your name and contact information. On the day of the event, 16 names will be randomly drawn and participants paired into teams.

For additional information about the Ballard Street Scrabble tournament or the Pavement to Parks Program, please contact Susan McLaughlin at Susan.McLaughlin@seattle.gov.