Location: Seattle, WA 
Owner: Seattle Parks & Recreation 

The new, award-winning Alice Ball Park created much-needed open space in the increasingly congested city. Located within a neighborhood retail corridor, the site is across the street from a public library and abuts single family zoned properties. OCI landscape architects and urban designers led the design of the new park from master planning through a robust public process, and construction. Phased due to funding constraints, the first year included demolition of structures and interim grass mound. Community murals helped to discourage vandalism and the open space was usable until funding became available for phase two. The completed park is constantly occupied by multiple different groups reading, playing, and exploring. 

The park’s programmed areas provide flexibility for different types of use and universal accessibility is provided throughout. A raised crosswalk with a custom super-graphic between the library and the park was funded by SDOT with design graphics relating to the library were developed by OCI’s landscape architects.  Large rock slabs, salvaged from the library remodel, were used as benches and plinths throughout the park to visually connect the two civic facilities. A loop trail incorporates the public sidewalk and provides connectivity to a small plaza with movable tables and chairs offering an informal gathering area, which was a priority for the community.