Ed. Note: This is a copy of a letter sent to Kellee Jones of Seattle Parks and Recreation.

I read the Feb. 5 Ballard News-Tribune article regarding the Jan. 28 Ninth Avenue Park meeting, in which a man at the meeting is quoted as saying nearby Whittier Elementary playground has nothing but swings and childrens' playground equipment.

That statement is absolutely untrue. Whittier has no swings, zero swings, and most of the area is open, paved surface, with one corner being playground equipment, and a few basketball hoops, a few maypoles and a dragon/snake sculpture across play area for climbing.

There are no public swings near the Ninth Avenue Park location, and there is a shortage of playground equipment in this area as well as a shortage of green space with lawns, flowers, shrubs and trees – a park for people to play and enjoy.

Ballard homes can provide their own garden spaces, no matter how small the yards.

Please trade P-Patch gardens for swing sets and playground equipment, keeping open spaces of lawn and scattered trees and shrubs for all ages to enjoy.

I am grateful for the Ninth Avenue Park being created.

We need swings for all ages in the Ninth Avenue Park. We do not need privatized garden plots for individual families in a P-Patch.

Thank you,

Bob Hammer
Ballard