Hey, remember that hullaballoo about where the Wallingford Farmers Market was going to end up? Would it be Wallingford Center? The street to the west? Over by QFC’s parking lot? Near Musashi and (heaven forfend) The Drum Exchange?
So, it ended up in Meridian Park, which, doomsaysers predicted, would be its death. (OK, we admit it: we might have had a little doomsay in us, as well).
How’s it doing, you wonder?
Actually, smashingly. We’ve stopped by a few Wednesdays this summer, and every time we’ve found it hopping: aisles full of shoppers filling their canvas bags with locally grown fruit and vegetables, locally produced wines, cheeses, breads and pastries and a ton more. Better yet, there’s often live music and a lawn full of contented Wallingfordians spread out, sampling their haul.
We chatted up Zachary Lyons, the Communications Director and Vendor Liaison for the Seattle Farmers Market Association, and found him positively ebullient. Every day at 5:30, there’s a line stretching back from the prepared food stands, total vendor participation is up higher than it ever was at the old location, and they’ve got room to expand even more, he told us, barely containing his gloat.
Fine, fine, Zachary, gloat away. You were right. Meridian Park, with its bucolic vibe, big lawn, and adjacent playground is a fantastic place for the Wallingford Farmers Market. See you there tomorrow, Wednesday, 3:30 – 7:00 pm.
(Photo by Zachary Lyons, copyright 2011)
*Love* the new location. Hope it stays there for good.
I have to admit, I have not been to the Wallingford Farmer’s Market even once this year. With some physical mobility issues dragging me down lately, it is just too far to walk from the bus line for me. I really miss it being directly on the bus line. 🙁
Oh, and my partner has not been able to go either because by the time she gets off work, does a bus transfer and then walks up there, it is already closed. Previously she was able to at least get to the Farmer’s Market with a half hour to spare, even if some of the vendors had already shut down. So it’s just a bummer all the way around if you don’t have a car.
I LOVE the new location – I’d only gone to the Wallingford farmers’ market a couple times last year when I needed some veggies. This year I try to go as often as possible just because the vibe is so good. It’s on grass! Why hadn’t anyone thought of this?
FreGirl – the 16 bus line runs directly adjacent to the park, not to mention any bus that goes down 50th stops right there, too. There’s a wheelchair ramp at the NW entrance to the park, at 50th and Meridian.
I’ve been a few times this year and been pleased. I’m sad that Jessie’s berries are no longer there – they are the best and it means I have to go to the Ballard Market on Sundays to get them. FreGirl – the market goes until 7 PM. I thought it ended at 6 but I saw signs this weekend that said 7.
@FreGirl We should go tomorrow!
I’ve been four times and don’t like the new location. Why?
Before, I could walk–even towards the end of the market hours. I really miss that ritual of strolling up there, shopping, visiting other stores, grabbing some dinner, dropping things at the library and wandering home with my bags full of goodies. I felt really connected to my neighborhood on those days.
Now going to the market is an isolated task….an errand…..as I must drive if I want to make it before closing. (Several of my neighbors who used to go weekly don’t go anymore. Can’t drive and/or find parking, can’t walk or ride bus after work and get there before it closes, etc.)
The parking around the new location is scarce. In fact, I could say I’d been six times, but gave up twice because driving around and around looking for parking is annoying and a waste of fuel. Last time I went, the person whose house I parked in front of said (with great frustration) that her husband and neighbor can’t find parking when they get home from work — and surrounding streets are much busier — on market days.
Also, I’m wondering if sales are down at the stores near the old location. I used to shop in surrounding stores when I was at the Farmer’s Market. (Opportunistic shopping, I call it.) Now, I’m less likely to do so. Maybe that’s true for others.
So…. I’d like the market moved back into the core of Wallingford and on the 44 bus line. (So folks from Ballard and the UW district have easy access too.) While a more central location was explored last year, I still hope there’s a business that would donate their parking on Wednesdays, or we could use Wallingford park playfield or we can find a long stretch of sidewalks for a “side by side” layout or something.
We’re a bright, creative, resourceful community. Let’s re-visit this…
It’s been super nice to have the playground right there. A few times, we’ve made it a family destination to ride bikes to and wander around, enjoying the cherries. Then the kids get to blow off some steam on those funky Joan Miro (or Alexander Caufield, depending on your perspective) play sculptures.
never made it. I am with Luna. Parking is such a problemn and I have hurting knees.. no I dotn qualify fo r disabled parking.. not money to buy the diagnosis.. wish i twere behind QFC.
Love, love, love the new location. I almost never went to the market when it was in W-ford Center’s parking lot because I felt that parking was difficult and (more importantly) I didn’t like the ambiance of shopping for produce in a cramped parking lot. The market in the park is beautiful and relaxing — my family goes every week, buys a ton of stuff, and then we picnic in the grass. Every week we see more and more families from our neighborhood, so it’s quickly becoming a community social event. I can’t imagine this ever happening at the old location — there was hardly room to walk and browse, let alone sit down and visit with neighbors for an hour or longer… (Tully’s parking lot would have been even worse, in my opinion.)
Maybe if parking is a problem there could be a 1 hour time limit on Meridian Ave bordering the park on farmer’s market days?
I like the new location a lot on a selfish level- kids can play while I shop, and you’re removed from cars…
Love the new location. Relaxing, beautiful environment.
So, the new location is great for people who want to go hang out in the park with their children, have a picnic, and kick back for a while after buying produce. Those of us who want a convenient place to get that really nice produce are losing out. I miss it being visible to traffic – cars, buses and walkers. I’m glad it’s doing well, but only sort of. I was hoping they’d not do as well in the hidden location and feel compelled to move back.
The new location is five blocks away from the old location. Wait, let me check my math. Yep, five blocks. So if you live south of 45th or have to drive, its takes a little bit more effort. But it’s not like it moved to Ballard.
I’m surprised to hear about the parking problems. I’m one of those crazy Wallingfordians who is addicted to my car and I’ve never had a problem parking close to the entrance – no matter what time I’ve gone to the market. I also don’t have kids and am not there to do anything other than supplement my weekly trip to the U District farmers market. The fact that it’s not visible to traffic doesn’t change that experience. Losing vendors will and I really hope they don’t lose any more than they already have.
I am truly confused…
The 16 almost *literally* drops you off at the park’s west entrance (seriously, a handful of steps), and that actually places you right at the market. The people who are whining about it not being bus-accessible almost have to be trolling this thread. Since that’s between 48th & 49th, that means the market itself has moved all of 3.5 blocks north of where it was in previous years. Our neighborhood has one of the highest Walk Scores in the city because everything is so close by. If you can’t make it there in time after work now, I question your ability to have gotten there in time before this summer.
It also is no more or less parking-accessible than its old location. There is no way that parking on Wallingford Ave was any easier in the evenings, and every time I was there in previous years the Wallingford Center lot was full with no sign of any cars about to leave. We have one day a year (4th of July) on which it is difficult to find parking in our neighborhood, especially compared to any of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Other than the reality that the current location means it is less likely that this ever turns into a year-round market, the location is perfect. They have more vendors than ever before, and I suspect they’ll add a few more next summer. The combination of ambiance and accessibility has made it ideal.
I have been very pleased. It seems much more festive as well. A Farmer’s Market is better than no Farmer’s Market in my mind.
I go every week, but the market is screaming out for another hot food vendor. I can’t have Patty Pan Grill every week. And the line is enormous.
For those worried about parking: I drove by around 5:40 last night and counted 3 open spots between 48th and 50th, including one directly in front of the entrance. So don’t let that stop you from going!
I haven’t been to the farmers market at this location yet, and I was wondering how much room it takes up?
I’m organizing a ‘Hood Hunt in this neighborhood on 9/14, which is a Wednesday, and several of the checkpoints are in Meridian Park, and I’m curious if the checkpoints are accessible or not.
I originally used these same checkpoints last September for my wedding festivities, which was the same afternoon as the Tilth Festival. That festival didn’t impact the checkpoint locations at all, so if the Farmers Market has a similar footprint, we may be ok.
Also, the ‘Hood Hunt is FREE and open to the public, so you all are invited!