Grassroots Efforts for a Farmers' Market in Shoreline

Photo by Steven H. Robinson

A lot of people have talked about a Shoreline Farmers' Market for the Park at Town Center.

Now some people have stepped forward to make it happen.

Maximilian Dixon and Brendan Lemkin, students at UW Bothell, say

"There is a lot of community support for this project and we feel that this is the right time to incorporate it into the planning and designing process of the new park at the Town Center."

They are majoring in Environmental Studies at the UW, getting some class credit for their work. But Dixon says they are with the project until it is a successful reality.

"We are committed for as long as it takes to get the market up and running. We anticipate that will be at least a year if not two. Brendan owns a house in Shoreline and wants to be involved for even longer than that. Regardless of the time frame, I won't feel comfortable moving on until we have proper management and funding set up to ensure the market is in safe hands."

In response to concerns that the Shoreline Market is too close to other, local markets, such as Mountlake Terrace, Edmonds, Lake Forest Park, and Lake City, they point out that Shoreline has an ideal location, with "Aurora, the Interurban trail (which connects North Seattle and all of Shoreline), the main trunk-line bus route 358 as well as other buses, and the town center with revitalization projects."

The Park at Town Center, currently being planned, is the green strip of land between Aurora Avenue and Midvale Avenue, from N 175 to N 185.  The Interurban Trail runs the length of the Park.  The organizers feel that this central, key, Shoreline location would pull people from all along Aurora and reach new customers. 

"For many North Seattle residents, especially on the west side of I-5, it is easier to get to Shoreline than it is to get to the market locations in Seattle."

They made a presentation to the park planners and City staff at the Park at Town Center meeting and feel they were well-received.

One of the advantages of a Farmers' Market, they point out, is that it uses temporary structures. This would fit in with the requirement for no permanent structures from City Light, which owns the land.

Dixon and Lemkin understand that this project will take a lot of work. They have outlined their immediate needs and are calling for volunteers to come help:

1. Starting up the non-profit
2. Finding and applying for grants
3. Getting the word out and generating media support
4. Researching potential management
5. Creating an official web site
6. Research permits, licenses and insurance

"We believe we can make this work in Shoreline. This is a special city that is just waiting to be involved and have the opportunity for more community activities."

To volunteer, contact Maximilian Dixon.  See their project blog here.