Description
This regional trail corridor spans from Bellingham Bay to the Irongate Neighborhood and beyond.
Over the years, multiple improvements have been completed to connect the trail from east to west.
- In 2016, over a mile and half of new trail was added from Orchard Place to Irongate Road.
- In 2017, a new connector was completed in Cornwall Park, creating a through-route bypass around high use park areas.
- In 2023, a new connector from Cornwall Avenue at near Parkview Elementary School to the upper trail in Cornwall Park and connecting to Squalicum Way was completed. This new connector provides a direct connection to the Bay to Baker Trail via Squalicum Way and relieves trail congestion in Cornwall Park.
Trails in this corridor and beyond are part of a multiyear planning effort outlined in the City of Bellingham, Parks and Recreation Open Space Plan.
Future trail connections and planning efforts include:
- Acquiring portions of the abandoned railway between Roeder Avenue and Meridian Street
- Coordination of future trail improvements along Squalicum Way with several Public Works improvement projects
- Extending the trail to the DNR parcels just east of Hannegan Road.
- Acquiring land for a trail east along the railroad grade to Dewey Road
- Constructing a southern connector to the Barkley Trail as part of the Sunset Pond Loop Trail
- Constructing the trail segment from Cornwall Avenue north of Cornwall Park to the Bay to Baker Trail as a permit condition for a future private development
Other projects in this corridor include Connecting north to Telegraph Road via Iron Gate and Jills Court.
Funding
Greenway Levy
Park Impact Fees
Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program Trail grant
Status
Property acquisition of the rail line to the waterfront is under review.
A southerly connection to the Barkley Trail is in the final design and permitting stage as part of the Sunset Pond Trail project.
Property was acquired in fall of 2024 to connect north from the Bay to Baker trail to Telegraph Road.
Reference
- Meridian-Birchwood Transportation Improvements
- Bay to Baker / Squalicum Creek Trail Corridor Map (PDF)
