By LEAH WEATHERSBY

If all goes as planned, the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department will soon add two more pieces of open space to the shores of Thornton Creek, with an opportunity to improve a third existing site.

At present, the Parks Department owns more than 40 acres of natural areas along Thornton Creek.

The properties that the Parks Department is looking to purchase are currently designated as "Site 1" and "Site 2."

The open space area slated for improvements - "Site 3" - is known as Thornton Creek Park at Ravenna, located just east of Lake City Way, bordered between NE 100th Street to the south, 25th Avenue NE to the west, Ravenna Avenue NE to the east, and to the north, the area located at roughly NE 103rd Street.

Site 1 consists of three adjacent parcels - at 1937, 1941 and 1947 NE 100th St. - which are currently occupied by three vacant blue-and-white cottages that would either be torn down or removed to other sites.

Site 2 is located on a vacant street end, along NE 100th Street, just east of Lake City Way and west of Ravenna Avenue NE.

The Parks Department's current plans called for Site 1 to be turned into an open space area that would be restored and replanted with native vegetation.

Catherine Anstett, a Parks Department spokeswoman, said that Site 1 would have no other amenities - and probably no name, unless requested by the community. Funds to purchase Site 1, which would be provided by Seattle Public Utilities and the 2000 Pro Parks Levy, are already in place.

The question is whether the Parks Department can reach an agreement regarding price with the current property owners of Site 1. If that happens, the area could be restored to its natural condition by year's end.

At a recent presentation on the proposal, nearby residents asked if the presence of a park would attract a lot of visitors to the area, which is relatively secluded and has virtually no on-street parking. Concerns were also raised about the potential for crime or noise if the site were to become public land. In the past, this has been a problem at Thornton Creek Park No. 2, which is located a short distance from Site 1.

In regards to the site drawing crowds, Anstett said that hasn't happened at other parks along the Creek. She added that geography makes it unlikely that the new open space would become a haven for criminal activity or partying.

For details, call Catherine Anstett of the Parks Department at 615-0386.