I am the volunteer coordinator for Bergen Place Park. A recent article (News-Tribune, Nov. 5) about the Swedish-Finnish Society leaving Ballard has me troubled in a few ways. First, I'm sorry to see them leave Ballard, but most of us with Nordic heritage consider the Swedish Cultural Center an extension of Ballard anyway. Her comments about Bergen Place though have me a little baffled.

I know there are many people who do not like the sculptures in Bergen Place. There is a history about them, which I am not going into detail about now. There are some things going on about this and, for now, I do not want to address them.

Before anyone criticizes the lack of Nordic roots in Bergen Place they must walk into the park. First, you can now see the Nordic flags flying high in the park. These were installed the week prior to May 17, 2008. Second, the rune stone sign holds the Seattle-Bergen plaques of the cities representing the sister city connection and the Nordic designs are by local artist Jay Haavik. The five granite plinths represent each Nordic country, each with its own design and engraving plus the name of the country on it. The Norwegian stone also has a granite etching of the Bergen waterfront. You would never see any of this if you don't take a walk in the park. Last, but not least, the mural still stands and looks over Bergen Place. It was dedicated in 1995.

Yes, Bergen Place is not the original rural park it once was, but it does have Nordic roots evidenced by the above referenced paragraph.

The Nordic community still exists in Seattle. Their voices are not always as loud as others, but that is because normally they just go about their own business. I encourage anyone interested to get involved with the new Nordic Heritage Museum.

Victoria Hunter

Ballard