What features do you want to see at the new waterfront skatepark?
The City is designing a new skatepark right on the waterfront. Whether you’re into ledges and rails or prefer bowls and banks, we want your input to help shape the design. There are two easy ways to get involved:
- Take the design survey – It’s open through Nov. 17 and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
- Come to our open house – Monday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. at Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave. You’ll get to meet the team behind the skatepark, see our conceptual designs, and share your dream features for the park.
Your feedback will help us create a space that reflects the needs and dreams of Bellingham’s skate community. Learn more on our waterfront skatepark project page.
Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Bellingham Public Library
Join us in honoring Native American Heritage Month by exploring a wide range of resources that celebrate Indigenous voices, stories, and cultures.
- Reading lists – Discover curated selections of fiction, history, and cultural works by and about Native American communities, including titles for adults, teens, and kids.
- Films – Use your library card to stream films featuring Native American stories.
- Early learning kits – Check out a Since Time Immemorial Early Learning Curriculum Kit, designed to support culturally responsive learning for young children.
Visit Bellingham Public Library’s website or stop by your closest branch to explore these resources.
Help shape the future of Bellingham’s parks and open spaces
The City of Bellingham is updating its Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan — a long-term guide for how we care for the community’s parks, trails, and recreation programs as the population grows. We want your input! Stop by our upcoming open house to learn more about the City’s parks, share your ideas and priorities, and meet Parks and Recreation Staff. Learn more at our PROS Engage Bellingham page.
Wednesday, Nov. 19 | 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Bloedel Donovan Park Multipurpose Room, 2144 Electric Ave.
Galbraith Mountain closure
Galbraith Tree Farm is closing public access to its property on Galbraith Mountain Dec. 11-14 to conduct a professional bow hunt for wildlife management purposes. According to Galbraith Tree Farm, the goal of the bow hunt is to limit the loss of cedar saplings due to the feeding patterns of an increasing number of deer.
Closed trails will be clearly marked with signs. For your safety, please respect the closure.
Galbraith Tree Farm is private property that is managed by Janicki Logging Co. for timber production. The City secured public access to the property by purchasing a recreational use easement in 2018. Although hunting is prohibited on all City property, licensed hunting is allowed on private property at the property owner’s discretion, per state regulations, and is an authorized commercial forestry practice. For more information, please visit Janicki Logging’s website.
Improving public spaces
WSDOT seeks community feedback on proposed Guide Meridian upgrades
Bellingham is helping WSDOT capture community input related to the state’s upcoming Guide Meridian (SR 539) project, which includes repaving from I-5 to Kellogg Road.
This project aims to enhance accessibility and safety for everyone — whether you’re walking, biking, rolling, taking transit, or driving — while keeping options open for future improvements.
Share your input! Visit WSDOT’s online open house to learn more about the I-5/Guide Meridian Interchange and SR 539/I-5 to Kellogg Road – Paving & ADA project and find ways to share your feedback.
Submit your comments by Monday, Dec. 1.
Salmon enjoy Padden Creek fish passage improvements
Exciting news from Padden Creek! Chum salmon have been spotted swimming upstream past the site where we recently removed two partial fish passage barriers. Although water is now flowing freely through the new fish-friendly culverts, work is still underway to restore the streambanks and the affected section of the Interurban Trail. We hope to open the trail by the end of the year. Speaking of salmon, now is a great time to view them in our local streams as they return to spawn. Visit our website to learn more and find good viewing locations!
Watermain work shifts to Russell Street
Watermain replacement work is currently taking place along Russell Street, starting near Broadway and moving north to Illinois Street. Sidewalk and ramp replacement work also continues along C and Irving Streets, weather depending. Drivers and pedestrians can expect some temporary lane closures and detours around work zones. Please observe the No Parking signs.
Boulevard Park shoreline improvements
You may have noticed that some areas of Boulevard Park are temporarily closed for construction work. We started work on an important shoreline restoration project in Boulevard Park that will last through the end of the year, and night work is planned for low-tide periods. This work is improving access, resilience, and habitat. Visit our project page and follow Parks and Recreation on Facebook or Instagram to learn more and stay updated.
