It goes without saying that it’s getting harder and harder to find free parking in Ballard. Or any parking for that matter, especially around the center of town, at Market and Ballard Ave. (Especially now that the QFC lot is gone.) Over the last few years, the city has installed 1,500 pay parking stations in Ballard, Capitol Hill, University District and the ID. And they’re not done yet: this year, pay stations will be installed in Fremont, Upper Queen Anne, West Seattle and other neighborhoods. And next year, the city will consider adding more to Ballard. So when you find that freebie spot, savor it.