50 Years of Bergen Place

An October 19th birthday bash pays tribute to a proud Nordic history

Mark you calendars: On Sunday, October 19, it will have been 50 years since Bergen Place park was first dedicated, and the day will not go by without a big celebration.

The Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association is teaming up with Friends of Bergen Place to put on a birthday bash, "50 Years of Bergen Place," at Leif Erikson Hall in Ballard, complete with a Norwegian choral extravaganza, commemorative speeches, a sparkling toast, and a White Lady marzipan cake,—just like you would expect in our Norwegian sister city, Bergen.

A proud Nordic history

Plans for the triangular mini-park began to take shape in 1971 with King County's Forward Thrust bond initiative. Since then, the park's location in Ballard where Leary Ave., 22nd Avenue N.W., and Market St. intersect has become an important gathering place for the entire community, a place that anchors Ballard with its history as a Nordic immigrant enclave.

Bergen Place was named for Seattle's Norwegian sister city, Bergen, an official relationship that began in 1967. With such strong ties to Norway, upon its completion, the park was dedicated by the late King Olav V of Norway on Oct. 19, 1975.

Over the years, the park has undergone a number of renovations and improvements. At the Oct. 19 celebration, Gordon Strand of Friends of Bergen Place, will offer a brief historical overview. Now headed by Victoria Sangrey-Hunter, the community group overlooks the maintenance of the park with the Seattle Parks and Recreation. Many volunteer hours are put in each year.

Bergen Place is home to several important artworks, including Jennifer Dixon's "Witness Trees," but, by far, the mural, painted by Canadian artists Alan Wylie and Charles Svab, is the focal point. The mural stands as a reminder to Ballard's proud Nordic community and includes figures from five Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and  Sweden. Likewise, there are flags from each of these countries flying proudly, symbolic of our Nordic friendships.

A special friendship with Norway

For many years, the Seattle-Bergen Sister City Association has produced a musical program at Bergen Place park to celebrate Norwegian Constitution Day on May 17. Many of the association's members join work parties with the Friends of Bergen Place to prepare for one of the most important days of the year for Norwegian Americans. Each year, the Seattle 17th of May committee hosts a grand marshal from Norway, who makes an appearance at Bergen Place as part of an outreach to the larger community.

In 2013, Friends of Bergen Place commissioned an updated scale model of Svob and Wiley's original mural, and a fundraising campaign was set in action to finance the project. There was yet another royal visit to Bergen Place in May 2015, when the renovated Bergen Place mural was rededicated by King Harald V of Norway during an official visit to the Pacific Northwest.

Birthday bash song and speeches fit for a king

Because music is closely connected to Bergen Place, an exciting program of Norwegian songs performed by the Norwegian Ladies Chorus of Seattle and the Seattle Mannskor will set the tone for the festive birthday bash.

In addition to Strand's presentation, Seattle Councilmember Dan Strauss and Norwegian Honorary Consul Viggo Førde will be delivering remarks, with a toast to the king of Norway. A festive proclamation from the City of Seattle will be presented. Other officials from the city and Nordic community have been invited to join in on the party to offer their congratulations.

Grand finale in the park

And finally, no celebration of Bergen Place would be complete without a visit to the park. Come rain or shine, at 6 p.m., everyone is invited to walk down to Bergen Place to sing "Happy Birthday," as Bergen Place park is illuminated at sunset.

The "50 Years of Bergen Place" celebration is free and open to the public, but space is limited to 100 guests; preregistration is required to guarantee your spot. Please check out the event invitation and sign up at Eventbrite: