Nestled between the Ballard Locks and the Salmon Bay (railroad) Bridge, the Salmon Bay Natural Area is a hidden neighborhood gem that serves an important purpose. Together with the street end and adjacent publicly owned land, the Salmon Bay Natural Area protects over 680 linear feet of largely undeveloped estuarine shoreline that supports the life cycle of the threatened Puget Sound salmon. When the property went on the market in the summer of 2000, local non-profit Groundswell NW worked with Seattle Public Utilities’ Salmon Recovery Team and Cascade Land Conservancy (now Forterra) to craft a phased purchase strategy utilizing federal, state, county, and city funding − including the Neighborhood Matching Fund (NMF). Using multiple NMF grants, the organization was able to secure the purchase of the land, hire landscape architects to develop plans and oversee construction, place welcome art, and bring in volunteers to remove invasive species and plant native vegetation.

The restoration of this property supports young salmon by providing a place to adjust to the transition from fresh to salt water, gain body weight needed to survive in the open ocean, and provides refuge from predators. In addition, the Salmon Bay Natural Area also offers a public overlook and resting spot adjacent to the Burke Gilman Trail and an educational site where people can learn more about the importance of Ballard’s shoreline to salmon recovery.   

A Salish Welcome

Visitors to the Salmon Bay Natural Area are greeted by “A Salish Welcome,” a sculpture created by Seattle-based Quinault and Isleta-Pueblo artist Marvin Oliver (born 1946, died 2019). The sculpture uses Coast Salish motifs in modern materials to welcome young salmon as they reach saltwater for the first time on their way to the ocean, as well as adult salmon as they return to spawn.

A master carver, sculptor, and printmaker, Marvin Oliver worked within the traditions of Native American Northwest Coast designs and themes and he was an important influence on contemporary Native American art and artists. He described his art as “formulated by merging the spirit of past traditions with those of the present… to create new horizons for the future.” Many of his artworks express his ideas and Native American stories about life, time, traditions, ancestors, the universe, and his hope for future generations. He was Professor Emeritus of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington and Adjunct Curator of Contemporary Native American Art at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture.

Funding for the sculpture came from Neighborhood Matching Fund grant and the City of Seattle One Percent for Arts Program.

Sculpture Rededication Ceremony

Community members are invited to join Groundswell NW for a rededicate ceremony of the Salish Welcome sculpture and recognition of Marvin Oliver at Salmon Bay Natural Area, Tuesday, July 8 from 5:30 – 7 p.m.

“We are honored to welcome back Cecile Hansen, Chair of the Duwamish Tribal Organization, as keynote speaker, along with Marvin’s son Owen Oliver and representatives of Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Office of Arts and Culture.”

-David, President, Groundswell NW