Support your local mini makers
The weather is changing and it’s back-to-school season, but there is still one more chance to load up on summer smiles and shopping surprises. Visit the Children’s Craft Fair at Bellis Fair Mall this evening, Aug. 22, from 5 to 7 p.m., for yummy treats and creative items made by local kids. The event includes 50 booths. Everything for sale is $5 or less, and all sales are cash only, so bring small bills for treasure hunting. It’s fun for the whole community!
Improving public spaces
Bloedel Donovan is getting a new playground
Work starts next week to replace the playground at Bloedel Donovan. The play area will remain closed during construction, which is expected to wrap up in early October. The new playground includes separate equipment for toddlers and school-aged kids, as well as slides, climbers, steppers, swings, and ramps for easier access. Visit our project page to learn more.
Upgrades coming to Hundred Acre Wood
In other park news, we’re making a number of upgrades to Hundred Acre Wood to preserve the wetland habitat. These important updates include:
- Trail resurfacing
- New habitat fencing
- Updated boardwalks and benches
- A new bridge over Hoag’s Creek
- And more!
Starting Monday, trails will close off and on through the end of the year while work is happening. Check out our project page for more information, including a map of the expected trail closures.
Construction updates
On Aug. 25-26, nighttime paving will take place on Meridian Street between I-5 and Orchard Drive as part of the Meridian Sewer Main Improvement Project.
Crews are also making progress on the Russell–Irving Watermain Replacement Project. Over the next two weeks, we’ll be connecting new water lines along Dupont Street between C and D Streets, and C Street between Dupont and Irving Streets. Residents may experience temporary water service disruptions, as well as street closures and parking restrictions in the work areas. Thank you for your patience while these important improvements are completed.
New waste bins coming to Fairhaven
Be on the lookout for new garbage and recycling bins around Fairhaven! These covered bins, like the ones added downtown, are designed to reduce litter and improve water quality (and no, they’re not mailboxes!). By keeping out rain and wind, they prevent polluted liquids from escaping and harming our local waterways. We plan to add the new bins to the area by the end of September. Learn more about our efforts to reduce and manage waste at our solid waste page.
Work continues on the Padden Creek diesel spill
Cleanup efforts are progressing at the Padden Creek diesel spill site. The Washington State Department of Ecology, the City of Bellingham, Lummi Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Faber Construction are collaborating to remove contaminated soil. Crews were excavating and hauling material from the site this week, and assessment teams are collecting soil samples along the creek to help determine the extent of the cleanup. In addition, work has resumed on the fish passage project at 14th Street, upstream of the spill site. For ongoing updates on the project, including progress on the cleanup and the fish passage project, visit the Padden Creek Fish Passage project page.
Is your dog Bellingham’s next top model?
The annual We Scoop Dog Photo Contest is here, and we’re on the hunt for the area’s cutest pups! Winning dogs are featured in future advertisements and on social media, plus you can win a pawsome prize pack. We will be at some events to help promote the contest and responsible pet waste scooping. Find us at our shared booth with Whatcom County at Dog Days of Summer this Sunday, Aug. 24, and then the Barkley Market on Thursday, Aug. 28. Come say hi, get the scoop on how to enter, and learn how scooping pet waste helps protect our waterways. You can also find the details on our We Scoop program page.
