But, the majority of Ballard Census Block Groups are categorized as "0 Black." According to 2000 census data, the most recent available, 8.4 percent of Seattleites identified as black.

You can launch a kayak here," she said of the new park on 24th Avenue NW. "This is exactly the thing I'd like to see all over Ballard." Read Theresa Yoder's entire Ballard Green Spaces Project (pdf).

When it comes to the worst affected areas of Seattle, Rufo argues that Ballard gets it the worst. “The map really shows that Ballard is ground zero for all of this nasty trash problem,” he said.

While it has been a blank spot on Seattle's art map for most of its history, Ballard is currently home to the next big thing: a shape-shifter gallery called OKOK. OKOK owners Charlie and Amanda ...