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:
Bergen Place Park
in the news
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