SEATTLE — The Ballard Commons is set to reopen next month after its closure more than a year ago.
The park was swept and shut in December 2021 and has remained fenced off well past its projected reopen date.
KIRO 7′s Gwen Baumgardner spoke with Ballard residents about getting their park back, and concerns for the future.
“There was a lot of violence going on,” said longtime Ballard resident Cecelia. “One woman got shot, another guy got beat up pretty bad. There were fires.”
Simply put — a crime-ridden park.
Before the sweep, the area saw more than 40 arsons and 100 calls to police in just a six-month span. The park has remained empty and closed to all since late 2021.
Its reopening can’t come soon enough, says mom Chiara.
“We live like two blocks from here, we’re super excited to have a place where we can just go after school and pop by,” Chiara said.
For Alma, it’s a place to walk her dog, Irene. “This park is part of the reason I wanted to live over here,” she said.
Others shared their concerns that the crime and tents will return.
Kristin believes the Ballard Commons should be open to all. “I feel like a lot of homeless [people] congregate by the library. They might just shift over here, but it doesn’t bother me,” she said.
The park is set to officially reopen to the public on Saturday, March 11. The city credits the delay to the scale of the cleanup.
The park also has a revamped skatepark and more lights, and a new play area for kids is being worked on. The city plans to have free food, games, and music at the park on the weekend it reopens.