Description
Formerly referred to as “Cornwall Beach Park” this waterfront site has been given a new name that is more fitting of its grandeur and proximity to the Bay. “Salish Landing” was recommended as the new name by the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Board after an extensive public process. The Bellingham City Council formally adopted the new name at the January 23, 2023 regular meeting.
This park is a priority project for public access to the waterfront. This project will also help to meet the objectives of the current Parks & Recreation Open Space Plan to provide additional waterfront parks and trails.
The area of work includes portions of the Phase 2 development of the Waterfront District/Cornwall Beach Area and is located within two Washington State Department of Ecology cleanup sites known as R.G. Haley and Cornwall Avenue Landfill. These sites are the location of a former wood treatment facility and municipal waste landfill.
Cleanup work began at the Cornwall Avenue Landfill and R.G. Haley sites in January 2026. This extensive and long-awaited environmental cleanup project is expected to take three years to complete.
- Phase 1 of the park is being built concurrent with the cleanup of the Cornwall Avenue Landfill and R.G. Haley site. Phase 1 includes only items that are necessary to construct with the cleanup so we can avoid the expense of interacting with the contaminated materials in the future.
- Phase 1 includes 27 parking spaces, bike parking, beach, trails, habitat improvements, boat launch, and other park amenities.
- We will be refining the completion of the park in regards to potential improvements to serve bike and pedestrian connectivity, especially to the South Bay Trails. Any major changes to the park master plan will require a public process to receive input and finalize any refinements.
Funding
Funding is provided by Park Impact Fees, Real Estate Excise Taxes, and Greenways Funds.
Status
Construction on the first phase of the park is began in January 2026. Phase 1 will be constructed at the same time as the cleanup activities at the R.G. Haley and Cornwall Avenue Landfill sites. Phase 1 construction work will include underground utilities, beach creation, trees, trails, and parking.
