The Ballard or Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, span the Lake Washington Ship Canal, connecting Ballard to Magnolia and controlling water traffic between the fresh and saltwater sides of Salmon Bay. The Locks is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike to watch boats travel through the area and view aquatic life, above and below the surface. The Fish Ladder, renovated in 2021, allows visitors to see life underneath the surface, particularly salmon. Groundswell NW purchased a fish plaque at the Fish Ladder to support improvements to the viewing area. In addition to the Locks and Fish Ladder, the Carl S. English Jr Botanical Garden offers large grassy lawns and flower gardens.