Signs of Spring
Volunteer planting events: Rain or shine, our dedicated volunteers have been hard at work all winter sprucing up our parks, trails and habitat restoration areas. Volunteers are needed to pot new native plants (see photo above) in preparation for planting. Make a difference and join us! More information and registration available at volunteerbellingham.org.
Greening up Bellingham: Our community shakes off winter, ushers in spring and celebrates everything green tomorrow, Saturday, March 11, with the Running O’ the Green and St. Patrickʼs Day parade. Registration for Running O’ the Green, an all-ages fun run, is now closed but come out and cheer for your favorite athlete. The St. Patrick’s Day parade starts at noon near Waypoint Park on Granary Avenue and finishes near Depot Market Square on Railroad Avenue. The parade is presented in honor of Bellingham Police and Fire departments, so look for our first responders to be well represented and give them a shout-out for all they do for our community. Whether you run in the morning, march in the parade or watch from the sidewalks of downtown Bellingham, we welcome you to join in the fun!
Speaking of green: No toxins were detected in recent water samples tested from Padden Creek and Lake Padden, after concerns about unusually bright green water. City and county staff are working together closely to steward these valued public resources. Health officials advise that people avoid contact with water that has visible algae blooms.
Neighborhood grants: We are accepting applications through May 1, 2023, for our popular Small and Simple Grant Program. Recognized Bellingham neighborhood associations are eligible to apply for funding for neighborhood-led projects that make positive improvements, encourage community engagement and demonstrate City-wide benefit. See the Small and Simple Grants webpage for details.
Learning to look: Art isn’t limited to paint on a canvas. We can see it in the natural world, historical objects and the architecture around us. We all have the tools to appreciate and understand art. In Whatcom Museum’s Learning to Look exhibition, you’ll find that art is everywhere and for everyone. Comprised of artworks from the museum’s collection, with question prompts and interactive activities, the exhibition introduces the world of art to visitors of all ages.
Join the Conversation
ICYMI – Whatcom READS on video: The Cold Millions author Jess Walter’s presentation at the Mount Baker Theatre on March 3 is available to view on the City’s YouTube page and also is airing on BTV, the City’s television channel. We’re proud to contribute to Whatcom READS, Northwest Washington’s premier annual literary event celebrating reading, readers and strong communities, hosted annually by Bellingham Public Library and the Whatcom READS partners. The 2024 Whatcom READS selection is Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk by Sasha taqwšeblu LaPointe.
Improving Public Spaces
Sidewalk repairs: Did you know Bellingham has over 300 miles of sidewalks? Our sidewalks, and the several thousand ADA ramps that support accessibility for all, require considerable maintenance. In addition to emergency repairs, regular maintenance usually begins in March when weather allows concrete work for repair and replacement. Look for crews at work on sidewalks and ramps. You can help by reporting sidewalk or ramp damage through SeeClickFix and by keeping sidewalks abutting your property free of obstructions. While sidewalks are part of the City right of way, it is the adjacent property owner’s responsibility to keep them clear.
