Background
Boulevard Park is one of Bellingham’s most beloved destinations, drawing thousands of visitors each year. To protect and enhance this iconic waterfront space, the City is launching a shoreline enhancement project focused on improving two key beach areas within the park.
This restoration effort is designed to:
- Create natural beach habitat
- Improve public access to the shoreline
- Protect infrastructure from erosion
- Support local marine life, including forage fish species known to spawn along the shorelines of Bellingham Bay
This project is not related to the South Bay Trail closure between Boulevard Park and Fairhaven.
Status
The project is currently underway. We plan to complete all major construction by December 2025. Some restoration work will continue through spring 2026.
During construction, there will be reduced or no access to parking (including EV charging stations) and portions of the park, including the shoreline and turf areas south and west of the coffee shop.
Night work is planned for low-tide periods. Neighbors may hear truck traffic and construction noise during the evening and early morning hours.
Other areas of the park, including the restrooms, will remain open. An alternate trail detour will remain open during most park hours (6 a.m. – 10 p.m.). The South Bay Trail will be closed after hours.
Project details
The work will focus primarily on the eastern and western beaches.
Eastern beach improvements:
- Remove old rock revetments (retaining walls) and riprap (loose stone walls) from the intertidal zone
- Install a new rock revetment further inland to reduce erosion
- Relocate an eroding trail, utilities, and a storm drain trench to safer areas within the park
Western beach improvements:
- Add a small rock revetment and rockery (rock garden) for shoreline stability
- Remove invasive blackberry bushes to support native vegetation
The benefits of this work include:
- Increased habitat for surf smelt
- Planting of native, noninvasive species will help buffer against sea level rise and coastal erosion
- Better beach access for the public with safer, more stable walkways
- New educational signage to share the story of the restoration and local ecology
Funding
$1,000,000 Greenway Levy
$500,000 Recreation and Conservation Office State Grant, Aquatic Land Enhancement Account (pending)
Status
Construction is scheduled to start in the fall of 2025 and may be complete by spring 2026. Night work is expected to occur for in water work when the tides are low.
