The fruition of a new pocket park will depend largely on direct donations and neighbors are hoping the community will pitch in.

Ballard Corners Park will be built along the west side of 17th Avenue Northwest between Northwest 62nd and 63rd streets and cost about $420,000 to complete, said David Folweiler, co-chair of Friends of Ballard Corners Park.

Some money is already nailed down. A $15,000 small and simple grant was acquired in January from the Seattle's Department of Neighborhoods to design and develop a plan for the 22-acre park space. The Seattle Parks and Recreation Pro Parks Levy pitched in $150,000. Corporate and county funds are also being sought.

Though there is much money yet to be raised, residents who've envisioned the park for several years are excited that major steps have been taken.

After a citywide study found Ballard to be lacking in open space, the Ballard Open Space Coalition and Groundswell NW identified the property as a green space opportunity in 1996.

Architect and nearby resident Davidya Kasperzyk, has said the park will fulfill a need for green space in that arterial quadrant of the neighborhood, between 15th and 20th avenues northwest and Northwest Market and 65th Street.

Kasperzyk, who was also involved in the development of Ballard Commons Park, lead the initial Corners effort.

"(Davidya) is really the visionary of this park," said Folweiler. "This is his concept - he got the ball rolling."

The new park will be built on what are now two unlived on lots. A house on the south lot that has sat empty for the past 15 years will be demolished during park construction. The city recently acquired the space through Pro Parks Levy funds set aside to purchase property for park development.

Residents laid out their design ideas at three community meetings held earlier this year with Barker Landscape Architects, the firm hired to help design the park.

"A lot of neighbors came to the community meetings - young and old, as diverse as you can make an audience in Ballard," said Folweiler.

Gabriella Moller, future neighbor of Corners Park, said she's been impressed with the inclusiveness of the process.

"It was amazing - they let us design it," said Moller. "It's been the most participatory, community involved, grassroots project I've ever experienced."

The preferred design option includes a children's play area, community gardens, seating areas and open green space. New trees and native plants will create a landscaped screen along the roadway and for neighbors to the west. Rain gardens will collect and infiltrate storm water runoff.

"I think the design is really a reflection of who this community is," said Moller. "It serves the needs of people of all ages. There is space for play and contemplation. It's simple and has something for everyone."

There are also plans to incorporate art or other elements to reflect Ballard's history.

A grocery store built in 1905 was located on the north lot where it operated as a neighborhood market until 1954. A gathering area and shelter are planned for the northeast corner of the site to commemorate the old corner store entry.

"People really wanted to pay some homage to that history," said Folweiler.

The design is community event friendly, but it's also meant to be a place for "quiet reflection," he said, noting the design still needs refining and is "not cast in stone."

Construction is scheduled to start in spring 2008 to be completed that fall. In the meantime, fundraising efforts are underway to fill a large gap.

The group is also applying for a $100,000 department of neighborhoods large project fund.

"I think we are really good candidates for that," said Folweiler. "I'm optimistic."

Contribute to Ballard Corners Park by coming to meetings and donating time to park development (third Wednesday of the month at the Ballard Boys & Girls Club, 7-9 p.m., except in December). Make a tax-deductible cash donation or buy Ballard Corners Park merchandise at www.BallardCornersPark.org.

Purchase merchandise from Amazon.com and Fremont Place Books via the website. Both will give the park 4 percent of the purchase price with no additional cost to the consumer. For more information, contact David Folweiler at David.Folweiler@ballardcornerspark.org.

Rebekah Schilperoort can be reached at 783.1244 or rebekahs@ballardnewstribune.com