"Before the city acquired this land, sandwiched in the middle of an idyllic North Ballard neighborhood, it belonged for 80+ years to the awesome-sounding Seventh Elect Church in Israel. There's all sorts of weird history associated with this plot, and apparently as recently as 1990, a few elderly members of the small sect still lived on the property, quietly practicing their religion, effectively walled off from neighboring homes by huge holly and laurel hedges. Part of the old church's concrete foundation remains, but a recent revamp cleaned up the overgrown lot, added a terraced p-patch, a huge lawn, covered picnic tables, nature trails, and an awesome playground with crazy swings." - Brooks Running Global Creative
"Kirke Park, Ballard by Brooks Running Global Creative. Before the city acquired this land, sandwiched in the middle of an idyllic North Ballard neighborhood, it belonged for 80+ years to the awesome-sounding Seventh Elect Church in Israel. There's all sorts of weird history associated with this plot, and apparently as recently as 1990, a few elderly members of the small sect still lived on the property, quietly practicing their religion, effectively walled off from neighboring homes by huge holly and laurel hedges. Part of the old church's concrete foundation remains, but a recent revamp cleaned up the overgrown lot, added a terraced p-patch, a huge lawn, covered picnic tables, nature trails, and an awesome playground with crazy swings."
It was a lovely place, and I absolutely adored the garden! ❤️
Rachel Zell
Google
This is a great local playground. Compact, but still with a range of play options. No baby swings and non-traditional disk-like swings that are great for one or multiple kids to sit, lay or stand on at a time. Sand area in the shade with a bench nearby. One small slide good for babies/ young toddlers and a Big Kid slide. This playground has been more recently updated. There is a grass area next to the play structure good for open running, games and picnic snacks. There is a shade over with three fixed tables. We had our daughter’s second birthday there. It’s not reserved but worked well. There’s a very short dirt path in the trees behind the sand that my daughter and her friends love to run through and pretend is the “Enchanted Garden” like in Daniel Tiger. Easy street parking and next to a P-patch to walk through and look at plants. Only drawback is no bathroom. We often bring a travel potty.
Jean Koewler
Google
A little hidden gem of a park! Behind the playground is a nice little wooded secret pathway that my kiddos love. We stumbled upon a scavenger hunt hidden there last week! Don’t forget to walk to the north end of the park and admire the well-kept gardens
MightyHeidi “MightyHeidi” Engelbert
Google
Best Little local park! with good play equipment for kids to play. This park has a cool back story be sure to read about it when you visit the runes
Lisa Janousek
Google
Took my little guy on a walk and found this great park. Its really small, the only down side.
Ravi Pal Singh
Google
It is so peaceful,clean and nature walk.
We loved to walk through P-Patch gardens.It is a great experience to see so many vegetable plants and organic vegetables on them. One can learn so many good ideas to implement once back to his home town.Long live this P-Patch.
frrk
Google
On the small end as far as parks go, but has a great play structure and swing set. Built on the location of an old church! It has a beautiful pea patch with plenty of places to sit and contemplate life.
Z H
Google
Well kept park. Playground is small, however the equipment is fairly new. If you need a space outside for a few hours this park is ideal. There is a hidden spot in the trees behind the playground!
Vic C.
Yelp
Kirke Park is a nice small neighborhood park that a community garden and playground to encourage children to play and learn.
Being a neighborhood park, there are lot of small children's toys that can be found that includes dump trucks, car toys, toy boats, etc. Also several children's jackets hanging on benches and part of the playground (I hope these children come back to claim their coats).
I was surprised to see a small little trail behind the playground that can be fun for a child (an an adult that is young at heart) to play hide and go seek or other fun games.
The playground itself has 2 large swings that are pretty comfortable to swing on and can get a lot of air and lift. There is a slide and a small rock wall to challenge little hands and legs.
There is also plenty of grass for 4 legged little friends to also stretch their little legs and potty on the grass (please do pick up after your pups).
The community garden here is actually pretty big and love how there is opportunities for children to learn more about mother earth, sustainability and the environment.
Parking for this little park is just street but shouldn't be a problem if you don't live close enough to walk to.
Although small, definitely a nice little park that is perfect for little ones to play (please note that there are no restrooms available, nor a water fountain so plan accordingly).
Ashley M.
Yelp
Great for a little neighborhood park if you live nearby. not worth it if it's a drive.
Pros:
-a couple of picnic tables
-plenty of grass to picnic
-sand box area
-fun little wooded trail
Cons:
-no bathrooms
-street parking
-no water fountain
Jessica P.
Yelp
We were staying in an Airbnb a couple of blocks away and needed to give our little one some time to play after being couped up in the car. This park fit the bill, it was amazing! It's huge with lots of great climbing structures and a slide. The swings are really cool netted disks and there's even a sand pit with tons of giant trucks scattered all around. There's also a natural area with logs that the kids can climb on and explore. I wish we had a neighborhood park as cool as this one.
Dawn S.
Yelp
This is a beautifully manicured park in a quiet neighborhood. My 11 month old grandson laid in the big saucer swing for at least half an hour. He loved it!! It will definitely be on our weekly walking route from now on.
Elizabeth R.
Yelp
Good park with nice grass area and decent play structure. Well maintained and not overly busy.
lyra r.
Yelp
This is such a wonderful little park, and it packs so much into a little space. I especially like the things that set this park apart from some others--the little nature play trail, the multiple child saucer swing, and the side-by-side extra wide slide, so that one kid can linger uncertainly at the top while the next kids can still go.
Someone did a great job designing this beautiful spot for families. We don't live super close but I will keep it in my list of short-drive parks to visit.