This story has been updated since it was first posted.
After months of uncertainty, it appears that the southwest corner of Meridian Playground will be the Wallingford Farmers Market location this year.
Meridian Ave. N. is on the left here; vendors would load in via Bagley Ave. N. The image shows the maximum number of stalls, 74.
Karen Selander of the Office of Economic Development told us this morning, “The Meridian Playfield is the most likely site at this point. The market operator has submitted a permit application but it has not been issued yet. I do not see any obstacles to the permit being issued but it is not technically a done deal until the permit has been issued.”
The Wallingford Farmers Market Steering Committee has distributed flyers to neighbors in the area that say “a number of sites identified have proven to be unworkable for a variety of reasons.” See our earlier story regarding the four possible sites.
Ground view of the proposed farmers market site in Meridian Playground.
The Meridian Playground site (also known as the Good Shepherd Center site) can accommodate 74 vendors; last year’s location in the south parking lot of the Wallingford Center could hold fewer than 30 vendors.
The flyer further says:
This is Parks Department property and is a good location for families in Wallingford to gather, to buy great food, and enjoy their neighbors in familiar, enjoyable surroundings.
The market will be permitted by the Seattle Parks Department and the Seattle Fire Department and have oversight by the Office of Economic Development as well. The market will require control of the site from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays June through October. The market will utilize the same traffic control plan as the Seattle Tilth Association events at the Good Shepherd Center.
Neighbors are asked to contact Selander (karen.selander@seattle.gov or 206-733-9256) with questions or comments by March 28.
Yay, great idea to have it in a park! Looking forward to shopping there!
Do not like the idea of a city park being used for commercial use. Tax payers supporting space for vendors? Weekly events will cause damage to park and with the budget cuts it will most likely become a unkept area within the park. Best to keep this activity on asphalt for loading and unloading of heavy crates, tables, tents chairs, etc.
The Saturday U District is in a parking lot, the Ballard Sunday market closes off a couple of city blocks. Why can't the same approach be used in Wallinford by closing off a couple of blocks in the buisness area on 45th. How about down by Dick's?
Let's keep the parks for the kids and family to stretch there legs and not become a commercial zone for vendors.