Little Squalicum Pier is open to the public for the first time in its long history, giving community members unprecedented access to Bellingham Bay.
We’re inviting community members to join us at a celebration at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 26 in the parking lot at 640 Marine Drive, Bellingham. Following remarks from officials, there will be a procession to the pier and a ribbon cutting. Parking is limited, so we encourage attendees to please walk or bike to the celebration if they are able. Additional parking is available at the Bellingham Technical College parking lot at 660 Marine Drive.
“You can’t look at the pier without wondering what it’s like to be out there,” Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Oliver said, “Now, anyone can experience Bellingham Bay from a new perspective.”
Little Squalicum Pier extends 1,248 feet into the bay, making it the longest, public pier in Washington state and the longest on the West Coast between White Rock, B.C., and Pacifica, California. The unique structure provides a view of the area that previously required a boat. The Greenways Levy provided $1.6 million to fund pier improvements, which include new pedestrian guardrails, deck grating, and wind- and solar-powered lighting.
The pier was built in 1912. Railcars traveled on it, delivering processed cement products to barges moored offshore. Operations ceased there around 1987, and the Lehigh Hanson/Heidelberg Cement Group transferred the pier to the City on Nov. 22, 2021.
The process of opening the pier to the public spanned the tenure of many mayoral administrations. Mayor Kim Lund – along with former mayors Seth Fleetwood, Kelli Linville, and Mark Asmundson – will attend the event.
“Bellingham is a unique place, and this is another amenity that sets us apart,” Mayor Kim Lund said. “As we did with Taylor Dock, we are helping to transform our waterfront from a place with an industrial past into a vibrant hub for recreation and wildlife.”
In 2024, the City completed the Little Squalicum Estuary project, which restored 4.85 total acres of coastal habitat in the area.
Little Squalicum Park and Little Squalicum Pier are open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The following rules apply for public use:
- Dogs must be leashed on the pier.
- No jumping from the pier, because the shallow water would cause serious injuries. Signs are posted on site.
- Pack in, pack out – dispose of all trash in upland receptacles.
- Fishing regulations per WDFW rules.
- All other regular park rules apply to the pier.
This phase of work is included in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, State Shoreline Master Program, and the City Council-approved Little Squalicum Park Master Plan. In consultation with local Tribes, the City signed a memorandum of understanding in 2020 as part of a United States Army Corps of Engineers review of the demolition of the outer portions of the structure. The State Historic Preservation Office reviewed the project and determined that the pier may be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
The pier is on a narrow strip of deeded land owned by the City of Bellingham. The Port of Bellingham owns and manages the surrounding intertidal area, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources manages the outer section.
In 2024, the City asked the public to suggest names for the pier, and more than 900 community members shared input. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board selected the name “Little Squalicum Pier,” and the City Council voted to approve it on Aug. 26, 2024.
