Thank you for shedding light on Ballard's newest park. Ballard Corners Park (Money for Park Still is Needed" (Nov. 29) will fill a need for people of all ages, including families with young children to have green and open space within walking distance. No park is currently located within the neighborhood bounded by the arterials Market and Northwest 65th Street, and 15th Avenue Northwest and 20th Avenue Northwest.

Ballard Corners Park will feature a children's climbing structure, an open green lawn, a fruit tree orchard, and a community garden. In addition, the park will feature 'rain gardens' which will capture storm water run-off from the street and from park site. Drought tolerant plants will help to filter the storm water, returning excess water to the aquifer. This will also improve the health of the Salmon Bay and Puget Sound by diverting point source pollution away from the storm sewers.

King County Councilmember and Chair Larry Phillips worked hard to put a $20,000 allocation for Ballard Corners Park in the King County council's 2007 budget. His hard work will help make Ballard Corners Park a reality and help us be eligible to receive additional grant monies.

We applaud Councilmember Phillips' efforts in creating more green and open space in Ballard.

David Folweiler

Co-chair

Friends of Ballard Corners Park