BALLARD: GOLDEN GARDENS WALK – Jan 2018 Start from the Ballard Coffee Works, 2060 NW Market St. and proceed north on 22nd Ave. passing the Ballard Public Library – a “Green” building designed by Bohlin Cywinski. Turn left on 57th St and walk past the Ballard Commons Park on the right and the Lief Erikson Lodge on the left. Cross 24th Ave. and continue along 57th St. until it ends at 37th Pl. Turn right on 37th Pl and continue across 61st St and the railroad tracks before joining the Burke-Gilman Trail. Continue north on the Burke-Gilman Trail until reaching the Port of Seattle’s Shilshole Bay Marina and our Restroom Stop. The Shilshole Bay Marina houses 1400 boats. The name “Shilshole” derives from the Duamish Indian word meaning “threading a needle,” referring to the narrow creek that connected Lake Union to Salmon Bay, now connected by the Ship Canal and Ballard Locks. Rejoin the Burke-Gilman Trail and continue north to Golden Gardens Park. Golden Gardens Park was named and developed by Harry Treat, an early real estate developer. In 1907, Mr. Treat developed an amusement park at the end of a new electric trolley line being built by realtors to induce townfolk to take a Sunday outing to picnic or swim at the beach and be a captive audience for a pitch to buy real estate in the area. The trolley line ended at the top of the bluff near 32nd Ave and Loyal Way. Passengers then negotiated a steep, twisting path down to the park. Until 1913, there was a shipyard north of the park, while to the south, the beach curved along the railroad seaway to Salmon Bay. Follow the park path all the way north and cross the ponds to the beach. Note the trees damaged or destroyed by beavers. Return south along the park path and continue south along the Shilshole Bay Marina walkway to the Lief Erikson Statue. The Lief Erikson Statue was a gift from the Lief Erikson League for the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. The statue was designed by professor August Werner of the University of Washington, and cast by Italian artisan Franco Vianello and Greek sculptor, Spero Anargyros. Following the Fair, the Port of Seattle accepted the statue for the Shilshole Marina, where it was unveiled on Norway Day. It is now the property of the Nordic Heritage Museum. In 2010, 900-plus new names of Scandinavian immigrants were added to the plaques on the rune stones at the base of the statue. Continue south along the Marina walkway to the Seaview Boatyard and join the sidewalk along Seaview Avenue. Walk out on the dock south of Ray’s Boathouse Restaurant for a nice view. Then continue south and rejoin the Burke-Gilman Trail. Stop at the small overlook for a view of the Great Northern RR drawbridge erected in 1913. A 500 ton concrete counterweight is used to lift the 200 foot span. Continue along the Burke-Gilman Trail and join Market St at the Ballard Locks. Continue east on Market to 22nd Ave and the Ballard Coffee Works. Distance: 5.6 miles Ballard: Golden Gardens Walk.