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Where is (North) Ballard Parkway?

(6 posts)
  • Started 2 weeks ago by bmvaughn
  • Latest reply from Benjamin Lukoff
  1. bmvaughn

    bmvaughn

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    I was reading the post over at Queen Anne View about brown street signs and one of the designated Olmsted Boulevards in our neighborhood is called "Ballard Parkway".

    I wasn't able to find where this is on any modern-day maps, so with the help of Google I found the original recommendation for the routing of Ballard Parkway:

    This parkway would vary in width from 150 to 360 feet. It should be planned with due regard for economy in land takings and grading with the aid of a detailed topographical map. It is projected to go westerly from the northwest corner of Woodland Park to the brow of the hill. It would then turn and slant northwesterly down the hillside to the valley, where it would gradually curve westerly and continue, with such curves as might be desirable to accommodate irregularities of the ground, about one block south of the boundary, to Ballard Bluff Park. Its maximum grade should, if possible, be limited to 4 per cent. It is hoped that a parkway can eventually be laid out by the county or by a metropolitan park commission from Ballard Bluff Park northerly, by a very winding course, because of ravines, to the new golf grounds and perhaps further.

    So my question to you is: Where would this route run on today's streets?

    Posted 2 weeks ago #
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    GTS206

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    Well, "the new golf grounds" would be Olympic Manor. Ballard Bluff is Sunset Hill Park I think.

    The beginning of the description sounds like that nighborhood just west of Phinney bordered by 52nd - 56th ish. 1st, Sycamore, Baker, Rainier Streets. That area does have an Olmstead feel to it.

    Posted 2 weeks ago #
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    I dont know Jack

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    Me thinks it is that little part on phinney hill where 56th winds up to 58th and Palatine and continues UNDER Phinney Ave. into Zoo north parking lot. That underpass has a boulevard look to it.

    Posted 2 weeks ago #
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    Regulator

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    https://www.seattle.gov/parks/history/sherwood.htm

    Up on Phinney it is!

    Posted 2 weeks ago #
  5. Jonathan Pryce

    Jonathan Pryce

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    A favorite for us cyclists who want a little hill work, but in quick time, part of a great loop with many variations.

    Posted 2 weeks ago #
  6. As I wrote in Crosscut.com, I love this program, but wish they'd actually signed Queen Anne Boulevard this time. Same with Ballard Parkway. Most people aren't aware of these two routes' existence, so when the brown signs started going up in Queen Anne I think a lot of people either thought it was random or a wholesale switch. This is a great way to inform people about our heritage, but I think a secondary sign would be a great idea, too.

    Of course, I'd like to see secondary signs for the old names of Ballard streets like Broadway, Times, etc., too — but I am a road- and local-history-geek, so...

    Posted 2 weeks ago #

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