In my last column I traced the history of the many parks that were included in the Olmsted brothers' plan for the Ballard community. In the end only two of these parks were ever developed. However, largely through the herculean efforts of the grassroots organization, Groundswell Northwest, this is slowly being corrected.

Formed in 1989 and incorporated in 1992, Groundswell has been impressively successful in fulfilling is mission of creating more parks, open space and natural habitat in our beloved Northwest corner of Seattle. To date, Groundswell has helped create over a dozen parks and open spaces in Ballard.

My focus today is on Ballard Corners Park located on the corner of 17th Avenue Northwest and Northwest 62nd. This little "pocket park" will be a delightful addition to the neighborhood and provide a place for busy people to tarry for a moment to enjoy the fresh air, flowers and other plants. In addition it will be a welcome place for children to play outdoors. David Folweiler, co-chair of Friends of Ballard Corners Park, has asked me to help put together a small history of the corner for an interpretive plaque.

The historical record is clear. The area emerged from its condition of logged off wilderness between 1900 - 1910, when it was it was included in a subdivision plat. In a single decade all of the land in Ballard was developed from 1st Avenue West (17th Avenue Northwest) to east of 3rd Avenue East. (8th Avenue Northwest) and north to Boundary St. (Northwest 85th Street). Between 1901-1903 the area along Salmon Bay north to Corvette Street. (Northwest 80th Street) was laid out. The platting of the Loyal Heights division in 1909 -1910 completed the subdivision of 90 percent of the land that is today considered Ballard proper. Most of the land was platted by individuals for large and small home sites. Many of these were several acres that the owners made into small farms with a milk cow or two, chickens and perhaps a few pigs or goats. Most people planted fruit trees with apple, cherry, plum and pears being the most popular.

Two buildings were constructed on the Ballard Corners Park site. The first was built on the south lot in 1891 as a one and one-half story modest Victorian. It was a charming house with bay windows and several small porches. The address was 1702 NW. 62nd (post annexation to Seattle address). This house was demolished in the early 1950s and replaced with a simple "modern" one-story house. Marinus and Sophia Brandt bought the house and made their home there together from 1932 to 1940 when Marinus died. Sophia Brandt continued living in the house until 1955 when the ownership passed to her son Marvin Brandt.

So history buffs do any of you know anything about the Brandt's, their children or the house? In addition, it appears that the Victorian house was demolished in the 1950s and a simple "modern" one-story house built in its place. Perhaps you know something about the people that made their home at this address from the 1950s forward.

The north lot of Ballard Commons Park, 6219 17th Ave. N.W., was occupied by a one-story grocery store. The store proprietors between 1938 and 1955 included Sever Thompson, Nils O. Hawkins and William J. Boutin. Did you or older members of your family shop at this little neighborhood grocery store? I would like to know any information you can share to develop a rich, accurate mini-history of the old grocery store corner that is becoming Ballard Commons Park. The history will be told on signage installed in the park for all visitors to enjoy.

If you have any memories of either the corner store or the house at 1702 NW 62nd I would like to hear from you. Please contact me through the Ballad News-Tribune, bnteditor@robinsonnews.com

If you are attracted to Groundswell Northwest's vision for Ballard of creating an interconnected system of parks and natural habitat uniting our community and would like to join your fellow Ballardites working toward achieving this goal visit their Web site www.groundswellnw.org or call 206-714-4271.