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 is expected to begin at the Cornwall Avenue Landfill and R.G. Haley sites in 2025. Remediation and cleanup design for both sites are currently underway. Design of the park is being coordinated with current cleanup design efforts to ensure a seamless transition from environmental remediation to park development.
- Phase 1 will be built concurrent with the cleanup of the Cornwall Avenue Landfill and R.G. Haley site. Phase 1 includes only those 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
Permits are underway and construction on the first phase of the park is expected to start in 2026, pending cleanup remediation activities. 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.
