Photo of People Riding Kayaks Near Mountains

Welcome to

Friends of Bergen Place

Volunteers doing what we can to maintain and protect the Nordic heritage that lives in a park in Ballard.

We’re a volunteer-based organization whose goal is to work with the city of Seattle to preserve and improve Bergen Place Park in downtown Ballard.


Among our supporters:






  • The National Nordic Museum
  • Norwegian Commercial Club
  • Leif Erikson Lodge
  • Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association

The History of Bergen Place Park

Yes, it once looked like this

There was some clearing out

book a flight

And a park was born


Bergen Place Park is located in downtown Ballard in the heart of the business district on the triangular site between Leary Avenue, 22nd Avenue NW, and Market Street.


It was developed utilizing Forward Thrust funds and dedicated by King Olaf of Norway in 1975. The Crown Hill/Ballard Neighborhood Planning Association proposed the redesign of Bergen Place Park in the 1998 neighborhood plan.


Redesigned in 2004, benches and trees line the open square. The park is home to artist Jennifer Dixon's "Witness Trees" and a community information kiosk.


Bergen Place was named for Bergen, Norway, one of Seattle's International Sister Cities.


Timeline of Major Bergen Place Events


1971 - Park named for Seattle, WA - Bergen, Norway Sister City status

1975 - King Olav of Norway dedicated the park

1995 - King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway dedicated the mural

2003 - Pro-Parks Levy and Arts commission - "Renovation"

2004 - Norwegian Commercial Club asked Victoria Sangrey to be their

representative to Seattle Parks and Recreation meetings for

Bergen Place park. Friends of Bergen Place established.

2005 - Removal of original mural

2005 - Installation of granite project - five Nordic plinths, etching of Bergen

waterfront by James Cole on the Norway stone.

2006 - Grant writing for six flag poles and Bergen Place sign - first round

declined, resubmit July 10, 2006

2006 - Created FOBP T-shirts. Reinstallation of mural

2006 - Discussion with Parks Operations Manager about moving the art and

replacing with living trees

2008 - Bergen Place rune stone sign installed.

2008 - Five Nordic Flags installed with 25 foot flag poles.


The Rest Of The Story

Ballard resident Jon Hanson tells us about his connection to the mural at Bergen Place.

Special thanks to all of our volunteers

for your countless hours of service

Thanks for stopping by.


If you have questions or want to help the cause, drop us ​a note at info@friendsofbergenplace.org