After nearly four years of design, permitting, and construction — and more than 30 years since the trail was first envisioned in the City’s 1990 Greenways levy — the new loop trail around Sunset Pond will officially open to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community stroll around the pond on Friday, Feb. 27 at 3 p.m.
The trail features scenic boardwalks over wetlands and expands trail connectivity from North Bellingham to Sunset Square, Barkley Village, Bellingham Bay, and more.
“We’ve been working toward this for a long time, and it was worth every bit of it,” said Parks & Recreation Director Nicole Oliver. “Sunset Pond is a genuine nature escape right in the heart of North Bellingham — and it belongs to the whole city. Come visit and see for yourself!”
Community celebration
Join the Parks & Recreation team behind this project for a community walk, roll, and ride around the Sunset Pond loop.
- Date and time: Friday, Feb. 27, 3 p.m.
- Location: The ribbon-cutting will take place along the loop trail at the trail connection from Iron Gate Rd. (find a Google Maps pin here).
- Parking: Parking is available at the James Street parking lot at Sunset Pond Park, or along Iron Gate Rd. Parking along Iron Gate Rd. will give offer the shortest walking distance to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
- Accessibility: The loop around the pond is nearly flat and made of crushed limestone. ADA parking is available at the James Street parking lot, which is about 1/2 mile from the ribbon-cutting location.
Background
The Sunset Pond Loop Trail offers a 1.2-mile walking and biking route through the 21.5-acre Sunset Pond Recreation Area in North Bellingham. The trail features two elevated boardwalks — 279 feet and 179 feet long — providing visitors an immersive nature experience while protecting sensitive wetlands.
The route also includes the first two locally fabricated steel bridges in the Park’s system. Both bridges were completed in record time. The longest bridge, nearly 100 feet long, required all lanes of SR 539 to be closed to maneuver the structure out of Blue Star Welding’s steel shop in the early morning hours before commuters started their day.
The trail connects the King Mountain, Meridian, and Irongate neighborhoods to a regional trail and park destination. It also links users to the east-west segment of the Squalicum Creek Trail, which heads west toward future connections to Bellingham Bay, and offers a safer walking and biking route to the Barkley Village area and Railroad Trail.
“This trail makes us one step closer toward our long-term goals for trail connectivity across the city,” said Parks Project Engineer Gina Austin. “The park is so beautiful and will really shine in all seasons. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone out there enjoying the improved park.”
In addition to trails, Sunset Pond is an ideal place to paddle, bird watch, or fish. The park also offers an off-leash swimming area for dogs.
Site history and restoration
The Washington State Department of Transportation created Sunset Pond through excavating gravel to construct I-5. After completing I-5 in 1978, the State deeded the Sunset Pond Recreation Area to the City of Bellingham.
The south and north trails follow the historic routes of two railroads: Bellingham Terminals & Railway Company Railroad and the Bellingham Bay & British Columbia Railroad.
The project also borders Squalicum Creek. Learn about the City’s project to reroute the Creek on our Squalicum Creek Reroute webpage.
Extensive ecological restoration accompanied the trail construction. The City planted 197 new native trees and 2,970 new shrubs across 1.2 acres. Nearly 10,000 small sedum (low-maintenance succulent plants) were also planted in more than 8,300-square-feet of new retaining walls.
Funding
- $1M grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office’s Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program
- $1.5M Greenways Levy
- $2M Park Impact Fees
