Kids Fest is Saturday, Aug. 2
Come play with the whole family at Kids Fest, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2 at Civic Stadium, 1355 Civic Field Way. Enjoy activities and games, including bounce houses, bubbles, face painting, martial arts, crafts, circus arts, robotics, foam sword duels, and more! Best of all, it’s all FREE! Visit the Bellingham Kids Fest webpage for more information.
Calling all young Swifties!
Kids Fest not enough for you? Having a Cruel Summer? Shake it Off and head to the event of your Wildest Dreams — Backyard Boogie: Taylor Swift and Friends! Join our Fearless library staff for an Enchanted dance and craft party for school-age kids up to eighth grade and their families 1-3 p.m., Wednesday, July 30. If you have other Blank Spaces in your summer schedule, check out the full schedule of events at Lee Memorial Park.
Bellingham Municipal Community Court launches
The Bellingham Municipal Community Court (BMCC) program officially started on Tuesday, July 22. BMCC creates pathways to stability by connecting individuals to services that address the root causes of involvement with the justice system, such as housing, mental health, substance use, and employment issues. Goals for the program include reducing the number of repeated offenses and reducing jail use for low-level offenses. Visit the Community Court webpage to learn more.
Ordinance concerning equal protection and equal access to services approved
At their July 21, 2025, meeting, Bellingham City Council Members approved an ordinance focused on providing equal protection and equal provision of municipal services for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The ordinance puts into action the values affirmed in a related June 9, 2025, resolution, with an emphasis on supporting LGBTQ+, especially transgender, community members.
Whatcom Racial Equity Commission seeks members
The Whatcom Racial Equity Commission (WREC) is hosting an opportunity to learn more about its work and to recruit new members and volunteers. The WREC Meet & Greet is planned for 5:30–7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 4 at Stemma West, 508 Carolina St. in Bellingham. WREC is a quasi-governmental entity that comprises representatives from local government, Tribal, education, healthcare, and criminal justice institutions who work with communities of color to address racial equity, civil rights, social justice, and systemic oppression locally. This work is centered on the belief that people deserve to exist in spaces free from fear, discrimination, or marginalization, and that racial equity should be woven into the very fabric of our county’s social, political, and economic structures. Learn more and RSVP for the Aug. 4 event on the WREC Meet & Greet webpage and apply for membership on the WREC application webpage.
Expanding efforts to protect our drinking water
Preventing the spread of invasive species
Next week, construction will begin on new automated Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) check station gates at the Bloedel Donovan Park boat launch. These upgrades build on our ongoing efforts to protect our drinking water source from invasive species as lake visitation grows. The gates will help ensure uninspected boats don’t enter the lake when seasonal inspection staff are not working on-site. If you’re launching during these off-hours, you’ll still be able to get a remote, staff-assisted inspection by calling a dedicated hotline. During construction, the boat launch and lake access will remain open. Boaters can help protect the lake by ensuring boats are cleaned, drained, and dried between uses.
Reducing pollution entering the lake
Construction will begin in August on a pollution treatment facility, located at Donald Avenue and Northshore Drive, that will help protect water quality in Lake Whatcom. The facility will reduce excess phosphorus levels in the lake, which can cause conditions that harm fish, plants, and wildlife. The facility will also filter pollutants, such as vehicle oil, sediment, fertilizer, and tire dust, from stormwater before it enters the lake. Travelers in the project area can expect traffic delays during construction. Visit our Donald Avenue Water Quality Retrofit Project webpage for updates and to learn more.
Improving public spaces
Water main replacement and repaving project
Starting around the same time as the Donald Avenue project highlighted above and located in the same area, we are replacing the water main along Northshore Drive between Silver Beach Street and Hayward Drive. When done, we will re-pave the road in the area, including a section of Academy Road. This work is part of our ongoing Neighborhood Overlays Project.
Back-in angled parking update on State Street
Starting Monday morning, July 28, we’re converting the head-in angled parking on the left-side of State Street (between Holly Street and the Forest/State/Boulevard roundabout) to back-in angled parking. This new layout improves visibility when exiting spaces, prevents drivers from blindly backing into moving traffic, and boosts safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Work will begins at 7 a.m. and (conditions permitting) will finish by midday. Traffic will be reduced to one lane during this time. Please plan accordingly and expect some delays. Learn more on our website.
