In celebration of Ballard's green spaces, Groundswell NW features and celebrates a "Park of the Month" and the community around it. In October the spotlight is on Salmon Bay School's playground. Located at 1810 NW 65th St, the playground is an ongoing project.

The recipient of a $60,000 grant through King County's Youth and Sports Facilities as well as another $100,000 grant from the Department of Neighborhood’s Large Projects Fund, Salmon Bay School's playground renovation project is designed around autism spectrum disorder-friendly play-spaces.

ASD affects one in 110 children and is more common than juvenile diabetes. Families with ASD need playspaces that bring out the best in their kids, and ones which help to turn strangers into friends as neighbors come to play together.

"The process of making this playground happen has taken a shift in a way I was secretly hoping it would," said Robin Wise Lofstrom from the Salmon Bay School Playground Committee. "People are really starting to think about inclusion differently."

Loftsrom said that in awarding the $60K grant, King County recognizes the underserved population of children with ASD and other disorders.

The playground renocation project is kicking into high gear this fall, beginning with a celebration on October 22.

This event titled, Let's Play Salmon Bay, is a community-wide celebration of play, inclusion, and fun.

"The event is not a fundraiser but rather a FUN-raiser," Lofstrom said.

Taking place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. activities will include:

- A community potluck, apple juice from Salmon Bay School's apple pressing, coffee and donuts

- Card tricks, face paint and games for children.

- A labyrinth

- A community sing-a-long

- Food collection for the Ballard Food Bank

- Review the playground concept, learn how the renovated playground serves the entire community, and think about inclusion in a whole new way.

"It for the community to learn more about the project and how it helps to create a better playground for all kids," Lofstrom said. "This playground will be around long after I leave and long after the kids leave Salmon Bay and the event is a good opportunity for people to ask questions."

- Materials will be available related to the importance of early assessment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), courtesy of the Washington State Department of Health.

Volunteers are needed on October 22nd to help lead games for kids, share potluck dishes, and donate tables, tents, chairs, and signage. The are also looking for the double-dutch guru of Ballard, and a card trick king who wows kids with your magic.

For more information contact Robin Wise Lofstrom at robin@lofstrom.com or 206-327-5782.