Welcome to Ballard’s
Kirke park
A neighborhood gem
Kirke Park takes its name from the Norwegian word for “church.” The name is a tribute to the neighborhood’s Norwegian heritage and a reference to the site’s history as home to a once-prominent fringe religious commune.
In 2008, neighbors learned the mysterious, hidden-by-hedges property had been quietly put up for sale. With guidance from Groundswell NW, Friends of Kirke Park (FOKP) quickly formed, hoping to secure the property as green space that would enhance the community. Seattle Parks Department was able to purchase the property; Site Workshop was chosen to design the new park, with input from many public meetings. With money from the 2000 Parks Levy, the near-abandoned property was transformed, and Kirke Park — a vibrant, award-winning park — opened to the public in 2012.
Kirke Park has a lot to offer its neighbors: a central “front porch” pergola, multiple picnic tables, two big open lawns, a climbing tower, a sandbox, double dish swings, a natural “adventure” trail, a P-Patch community garden, an orchard, and a “secret’ ornamental garden — all nestled into a dense, residential neighborhood.
Events
Friends of Kirke Park hosts everything from solstice celebrations to weeding parties. More details are posted on our Events page.
Great Success!
Many thanks to those who came to our work party on Saturday Aug. 30! We made a mountain of yard waste and were able to root out quite a bit of morning glory and blackberry. Whew!
Report: NW Bat Watch
Citizen Scientists Activated! What fun! A handful of “bat fans” came together on International Bat Night on Aug 30 for Bat Count 2025 to collect information about neighborhood bats for Woodland Park Zoo and Bats Northwest. We observed 4 bats! (plus one seagull, one bunny, and lots of neighborhood dogs)
News
When we have news about Kirke Park, we’ll post it here.
Vandalism 🙁
Recently, possibly on the night of Sunday Sept. 14, an unknown vandal cut up hoses in the P-Patch. If you have information about this senseless act, please let us know.
Giving Garden Update: this summer, Kirke gardeners have donated over 30 pounds of herbs and veggies to the Ballard Food Bank. Many Thanks to our volunteer gardeners! More info can be found on our P-Patch page.
Resources
Our Resources page has many helpful links about the park, gardening, nature, and ecology. Enjoy!
In 2024, we installed a Pollinator Hotel — things are going well!
Get Involved
If you want to do more than play in the park, here are some options.
To sign up for the Friends of Kirke Park email list or send a message to the Park’s Neighborhood Liaison, visit the Contact page.
Help fund park improvements and events by making a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of Kirke Park Fund, through the Seattle Parks Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kirke Park’s address?
7028 9th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117. Kirke Park is in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. A map can be found on the Contact page.
Can I volunteer at Kirke Park, or donate money to support park activities?
To hear about events and work parties, please email kirkeparksea@gmail.com and ask to be added to the Friends of Kirke Park email list. You may use the same email address if you’d like to help out as a volunteer. To make a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of Kirke Park Fund, please follow this link to our fundraising page on the Seattle Parks Foundation website.
What do I do if I see activity in the park that makes me concerned for safety?
Call 911.
The dispatcher will decide on the appropriate response. If there are any problems in the park, Seattle Police Department (SPD) wants to hear of it.
How do I report other serious issues, like needles?
Please call Seattle Parks 24-Hour Maintenance Line, (206) 684-7250, to report needles or other serious issues. Select “2” for urgent weekend concerns.
If you have a smart phone, you can use the handy Find It Fix It app to report non-urgent things — like clogged storm drains or overflowing public litter cans — to the City of Seattle.
How do I report graffiti?
Please call the Seattle Graffiti Hotline: (206) 684-7587.
What do I do if I am concerned about off-leash dogs in the park?
If off-leash dogs are causing problems in the park, call Animal Control: (206) 386-7387.
Want to reserve park space for an event?
All park space is open to the public; making reservations is not possible.