Chapter 1 - Whatcom County

Whatcom CountyCOMPREHENSIVE PARKS, RECREATIONAND OPEN SPACE PLANDRAFTWhatcom County Parks &Recreation DepartmentApril, 2008

Parks, Recreation & Open Space Planning CommitteeWhatcom County CouncilWard Nelson, District 1ALaurie Caskey-Schreiber, District 2ADan McShane, District 1B (Whatcom County Council Chairperson)Sam Crawford, District 2BCarl Weimer, District 3ABarbara Brenner, District 3BSeth Fleetwood, At LargeWhatcom County Parks & Recreation CommissionDan Taylor, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Commission, ChairpersonGary Chadwick, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation CommissionNancy Kaye, Secretary, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation CommissionWalter Lockwood Jr, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation CommissionGordon Rogers, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation CommissionRobert McKissick, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation CommissionDel Lowery, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation CommissionWhatcom County Agencies & Organizations – Planning CommitteeScott Thompson, Bicycle Pedestrian CommitteeDoug McDonald, Lummi Nation PlannerTom Reed, Washington State Department of Fish & WildlifeCandace Johnson, Washington State Department of Natural ResourcesPaul Leuthold, Director, Bellingham Park & Recreation DepartmentTerry Galvin, Director, Blaine Planning DepartmentRand Jack, Whatcom Land TrustDaniel Tepper, Whatcom Parks & Recreation FoundationJohn Cooper, Bellingham-Whatcom Convention & Visitors BureauTed Morris, Birch Bay State ParkScott Chalfant, Larrabee State ParkJim Darling, Director, Port of BellinghamGordon Rogers, Director, Council of GovernmentsIrene Waters, Point Roberts Park & Recreation District #1Patrick Alesse, Northwest Park & Recreation DistrictGlen Hallman, Council on AgingGeorge Swanset, Nooksack Cultural Resources TechnicianWhatcom County DepartmentsMichael McFarlane, Director, Parks & Recreation DepartmentLynne Givler, Operations Manager Parks & Recreation DepartmentRob Bunnett, Recreation/Senior Services Manager, Parks & Recreation DepartmentBruce Roll, Assistant Director, Public Works DepartmentHal Hart, Director, Planning & Development ServicesTroy Holbrook, Planning & Development ServicesConsultant TeamTom Beckwith FAICP, Team LeaderLee Springgate, Recreational Programmer and FinancesTerry Reckord ASLA, Landscape ArchitectBrad Cornwall AIA, ArchitectDick Anderson, Public Opinion Surveys

A.6 Wildlife habitat concerns A- 8A.7 Land use implications A- 9A.8 Historical development A-10A.9 Population and socioeconomic characteristics A-13A.10 Whatcom County rare plants A-17A.11 WA endangered, threatened, and sensitive plants A-19A.12 Population projections by nation, state, region, and county A-22A.13 Socioeconomic characteristics A-23Appendix B: Existing lands and facilitiesB.1 Whatcom County B- 1B.2 Port of Bellingham B-10B.3 Lummi Nation B-12B.4 Cities and park districts B-13B.5 School districts B-23B.6 Washington State agencies B-28B.7 Other publicly accessible facilities B-30B.8 Inventory implications B-32Appendix C: OpportunitiesC.1 Environmental resources C- 1C.2 Public ownership C- 2C.3 Private rail and utility ownership C- 7C.4 Private land ownership C- 8C.5 Private facilities C-10C.6 Conclusions C-17Appendix D: Land and facility demandD.1 Land requirements D- 3D.2 Facility requirements D-10D.3 Future growth implications D-19Appendix E: FinancesE.1 Expenditures – general government E- 1E.2 Revenue prospects – general government E- 4E.3 Expenditures – park, recreation, and open space E- 5E.4 Prospects – park, recreation, and open space organization E- 6E.5 Public revenue prospects – park, recreation and open space E- 8E.6 Private revenue prospects – park, recreation, and open space E-12E.7 General funding strategies E-13E.8 Park Facility Funding Strategies 2006-2012 E-15E.9 Park Facility Funding Strategies 2006-2026 E-19E.10 Recreation Program Funding Strategies 2006-2012 E-20E.11 Recreation Program Funding Strategies 2006-2026 E-23E.12 Recommendations E-24Appendix F: Public opinionF.1 Community charrette/workshop comments F- 1F.2 Mail-out/phone-back survey results – narrative text F- 6F.3 Mail-out/phone-back survey and statistical results F-15Appendix G:G.1 Prototype facility development costs G1 -1G.2 Prototype trail development costs G2 -1G.3 Trail design standards G3 -1

Chapter 1: IntroductionWhatcom County has grown since the last comprehensive planning effort wasaccomplished in 1991 and faces continued growth pressure. The choices thatconfront Whatcom County at the present time are significant and could alter thecharacter and quality of open space, trail, and park facilities, and recreationprograms and services if not adequately planned. This document outlines thechoices that are available and the means for implementing preferred actions foundto be of most benefit to Whatcom County residents.1.1 ObjectivesThe specific objectives of this planning effort were to:• Define the setting – within Whatcom County including climate, environment,wildlife habitat, history, culture, population changes, and current developmentconditions.• Inventory assets – existing public and private park facilities and recreationalservices that have been developed to-date within the Whatcom County by thecounty, cities, park and recreation districts, port, school districts, state, federal,and private non-profit and for-profit organizations.• Forecast demand – for future open space, trails, and park facilities andrecreation services that may be provided by the county or other agencies.• Identify appropriate roles and responsibilities – that should be undertakenby Whatcom County to meet critical open space, trail, and park facilities andrecreation program needs.• Develop the elements of a regional countywide plan – for open space, trails,and park facilities and recreation programs including wildlife habitat andconservation areas, open spaces and natural resource areas, trails, athletic fieldsand facilities, indoor community and recreation centers, and other special purposefacilities.• Determine the costs – involved in maintaining and/or improving open space,trails, and park facilities and recreation program levels-of-service (LOS), particularlythe possible use of innovative financing tools or methods.• Define an implementation program – outlining the actions necessary torealize the plan including supporting actions necessary to resolve agreements withthe cities, park and recreation districts, school districts, state, federal, and otherprivate and non-profit agencies.• Determine public opinion – through a series of public participation events andresolve final project, plan, and financing particulars based on the results of publicinput.1.2 ApproachThis study analyzed the supply, demand, and need for public and private openspace, trail, and park facilities and recreation services within Whatcom County on acountywide basis and in the county’s urban growth and community planning areas.The proposed implementation strategies are the result of this comprehensive orholistic analysis. Generally, the proposed strategies recommend the county focusits resources where open space, trail, and park facilities and recreation needs aremost critical, and the county most effective.1Chapter 1: IntroductionWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

1.3 Public involvementThe Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Department, Parks & RecreationCommission, and an Advisory Committee composed of countywide park agenciesand organizations oversaw this planning process. During the course of theplanning program, the Department conducted a series of:• Mail-out/mail-back surveys - of major park organizations and user groupswithin the county at the beginning of the process to determine their current parkutilization practices, condition assessments, and recommendations.• Public workshops and forums – with residents of urban growth andcommunity planning areas throughout the county to determine their conditionassessments and plan and project proposals prior to the development of finalalternative proposals.• Mail-out/phone-back survey of registered voter households - towards theend of the process to determine final project and program priorities from amongthe alternative proposals, and resolve financing preferences with which toimplement this plan.The proposals contained within this document represent the opinions developedfrom these public participation events.1.4 DocumentationThis report is organized into 6 chapters outlining goals and objectives, regionalplan and program elements, and implementation measures.Separate technical appendices detailing the county setting, facility inventories, parkopportunities, land and facility demands, finances, and public opinion are availablefrom the Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Department.2Chapter 1: introductionWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesThis plan recommends Whatcom County undertake a modified strategic approachto regional or countywide services where Whatcom County assumes responsibilityfor those regional functions, and helps coordinate or support those functions andactivities that have other viable sponsors. For example:2.1 Strategic approach to regional servicesCoordinating activitiesWhatcom County will provide central information and coordination services foropen space, trail, and park facilities and recreation program activities on acountywide basis since Whatcom County alone has the authority and resources tooperate as a central facilitator. This role will include the maintenance and updatingof future population growth estimates, inventories of existing and proposed facilitydevelopments, identification of probable countywide and local facility and programneeds, and proposals of area-wide facility and program solutions.Planning and development assistanceWhatcom County will provide more detailed planning and development assistancewhen:• there are no other designated agencies or organization who can,• the activity involves siting controversies or environmental consequences thatmay not be equitably resolved otherwise within the Whatcom County urbangrowth or community planning areas, or• proposed developments will be within city urban growth areas and thuspotentially annexed into corporate limits but currently subject to WhatcomCounty authority.Development, operation and maintenanceWhatcom County will not develop, operate or maintain open space, trail, or parkfacilities or recreation program activities unless:• the facility will have broad benefits for a large proportion of the countywidepopulation and will be financed using resident approved methods, or• facility development and operating costs will be recaptured from direct chargesof the populations who use the facility, or• facility development and operating costs will be compensated in some mannerthrough inter-local agreements with the using agency, area or benefiting usergroup, particularly where the demands will originate from a regional servicerequirement, or• the site or facility has intrinsic value apart from traditional operation andmaintenance needs, like a passive natural area or wetland preservation.The following goals and objectives are based on a strategic approach to regional orcountywide services, an analysis of existing open space, trail, park, and recreationconditions, and the results of workshop planning sessions and surveys.2.2 Resource conservanciesAssume a major responsibility for the planning, coordination, and preservation ofunique environmental areas, floodplains, wetlands, wildlife habitat, open spaces,agricultural lands, forestlands, and scenic areas.Work with all other public and private agencies, particularly the cities, Port ofBellingham, Washington State Departments of Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources,and Transportation, and Whatcom and Lummi Island Land Trusts, among3Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Recreational programming model – clearinghouse ala expedia.comTransportation JobsAdventure outings Social clubs Drama Financial advice ActivitiesAthletics Speakers Music Meals/nutrition Events Before/after schoolAerobics Meeting facilities Arts and crafts Wellness Meeting facilities DaycareRecreation Social Arts Senior Teen ChildI I I I I II I I I I IActivity demands – a samplerIIIWhatcom County Parks –WhatcomRctn.comIIIDelivery sources – a samplerI I I II I I IWhatcom County Other jurisdictions Non-profits ProfitsParks & Recreation Other cities Athletic leagues Downstream River RunnersSchool Districts Boys & Girls Club Osprey River AdventuresCollege/University Boy/Girl Scouts Reachout ExpeditionsLummi/Nooksack Tribes Campfire USA Outward Bound WestWA DNR/Parks & Rctn Comm YMCA/YWCA North Cascades Mtn GuidesUSFS/NPS Lions/Rotary Clubs Pasayten Llama Packing4-H/Volunteers Outdoor RctnFacilities – a samplerI I I IWhatcom County Other jurisdictions Non-profits ProfitsPark facilities Other city facilities Granges KOAOther county facilities School facilities Churches ResortsLeased facilities College facilities Elks/VFW Motorcycle tracksTribal facilitiesState Park facilitiesUSFS/NPS facilities

others, to create an effective approach to the following regional conservation issuesand proposals.Wildlife habitata: Identify and conserve critical wildlife habitat including nesting sites, foragingareas, and migration corridors within or adjacent to natural areas, open spaces,and the developing urban areas – such as the Terrell Creek Heron Colony andTennant Lake Wildlife Area.b: Preserve sensitive habitat sites that support threatened species and urbanwildlife habitat - including the saltwater shorelines of Birch, Lummi andBellinghham Bays, Drayton Harbor, and Chuckanut Bay, and the freshwatershorelines of Silver Lake, and Lakes Padden, Whatcom, and Samish, and theNooksack and Lummi Rivers.Natural areasa: Preserve and protect significant environmental features including uniquewetlands, open spaces, woodlands, shorelines, waterfronts and othercharacteristics that support wildlife and reflect Whatcom County’s resource heritage– especially including the valleys of the North, Middle, and South Forks of theNooksack River.b: Provide public access to environmentally sensitive areas and sites that areespecially unique to Whatcom County – especially including Drayton Harbor, Birch,Lummi, Bellingham, and Chuckanut Bay, and Lummi and Portage Islands.Forestlandsa: Identify and protect forest resources in Whatcom County – including public andprivate forestlands that can provide productive timber and other wood products.Develop and utilize protective forest resource zoning districts and designations,special tax incentives, public land ownership and management, and other measuresto preserve this valuable resource.b: Identify and conserve forest cover and the scenic attributes woodlands providebetween rural and urban land uses – especially including the viewscape along theInterstate 5/Lake Samish and SR-9 corridors.c: Identify and preserve prime examples of heritage forestlands in Whatcom County– such as the old growth forests in and around Canyon Lake Creek CommunityForest, and the extensive woodlands on Chuckanut Mountain Park.Farmlandsa: Identify and protect agricultural resources in Whatcom County – including landsand soils that can provide productive crop, livestock, and other agriculturalproducts. Develop and utilize protective farm resource zoning districts anddesignations, special tax incentives, development rights, public land ownership andmanagement, and other measures to preserve this valuable resource.b: Identify and conserve farmlands and the scenic attributes agriculture providesbetween rural and urban land uses – especially including the rural farm landscapesin the valleys around Lynden, Sumas, and Nooksack.c: Identify and preserve prime examples of heritage farmsteads in Whatcom County– such as the Hovander and Nesset Farms.Open spacesa: Define and conserve a system of open space corridors or separators to providedefinition between natural areas and urban land uses within Whatcom County’semerging urban centers – especially including the Nooksack River corridors anddelta, and the Interstate 5 and Lake Samish corridor.5Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

: Increase natural area and open space linkages within the developing urban areas- particularly along the current and former UP, NP, BN&SF, BB&BC, and BB&ERailroad corridors.Urban growth preserves and set-asidesa: Cooperate with other public and private agencies, and with private landowners toset-aside land and resources necessary to provide high quality, convenient openspace, trail, and park facilities before the most suitable sites are lost todevelopment – particularly the lands around Stewart, Lookout, and ChuckanutMountains.b: Preserve unique environmental features or areas in future land developmentsand increase public use and access. Cooperate with other public and privateagencies, and with private landowners to set aside unique features or areas aspublicly accessible resources – including lands adjacent to Birch Bay State Park,Semiahmoo Spit, Bellingham Airport, and DNR’s Lost Lake.2.3 Historical resourcesAssume a major responsibility for the planning, coordination, and preservation ofunique archaeological, historical, cultural, scenic, and man-made places, sites,landmarks, and vistas.Work with all other public and private agencies, particularly the cities, Port ofBellingham, Lummi Nation, Whatcom County and Lummi Island Land Trusts,Whatcom County and Washington State Historical Societies, among others, to createan effective approach to the following regional resource conservation issues andproposals.Historical features and interestsa: Identify, preserve, and enhance Whatcom County's multicultural heritage,traditions, and cultural features including historical sites, buildings, artworks,views, and monuments within park sites and historical districts.b: Identify and incorporate significant historical and cultural lands, sites, artifacts,and facilities into the open space, trail, and park system to preserve these interestsand provide a balanced social experience – especially including important NativeAmerican, railroad, mining, logging, and shipping sites and places of interest.c: Work with Washington State and Whatcom County Historical Societies, and otherarchaeological and cultural groups to incorporate historical and cultural activitiesinto park developments and recreational programs.Manmade environments and featuresa: Incorporate interesting manmade environments, structures, activities, and areasinto the open space, trail, and park system to preserve these features and provide abalanced recreational experience – especially including Military Road and GuideMeridian, the UP, NP, BB&BC, BB&E Railroads and Interurban Trolley, Steamer andMosquito Fleet landings, and sawmills and mines.b: Work with property and facility owners to increase public access and utilizationof these special sites and features.2.4 Resource parksAssume a major responsibility for the planning, development, and operation of avariety of resource-oriented facilities. These facilities may include resource-orientedactivities including fishing sites, boat access ramps, swimming beaches, picnickingareas, and campgrounds that are directly related to environmental resources thatare of most interest to county residents.6Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Work with all other public and private agencies, particularly the Port of Bellingham,Washington State Departments of Fish & Wildlife and Natural Resources,Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission, US Forest Service, and NationalPark Service, to develop and operate the following appropriate resource parkfacilities.Waterfront access and facilitiesa: Acquire and develop additional salt and freshwater shoreline access forwaterfront fishing, beachcombing, wading, swimming, and other relatedrecreational activities and pursuits – especially including sites on Point Roberts,Drayton Harbor, Birch, Lummi, and Bellingham Bays, and Silver Lake, LakeWhatcom, Lake Samish, and the Nooksack River.b: Develop a mixture of salt and freshwater non-motorized and powerboat accessopportunities – especially including additional sites and improvements to existingproperties on Point Roberts, Drayton Harbor, Birch, Lummi, and Bellingham Bays,Lake Whatcom and Samish, and the main fork of the Nooksack River from Demingto Marietta.Picnicking and day-use activitiesa: Acquire and develop additional countywide picnic sites, shelters, and day-usegroup picnic grounds and camps at major resource parks and along major off-roadtrail corridors throughout Whatcom County – especially including sites on PointRoberts, Semiahmoo Spit, Birch Bay, Cherry Point, Lummi Island, Lake Whatcom andSamish, South Pass, and at intervals along the Nooksack River including HovanderHomestead Park.Campgrounds and retreatsa: Acquire and develop a countywide system of tent, recreational vehicle, yurt,cabin, lodge, and retreat facilities at major resource parks and along major off-roadtrail corridors throughout Whatcom County – especially including sites on PointRoberts, Cherry Point, Lakes Whatcom and Samish, Acme, and at intervals along theNooksack River.2.5 Trail and corridor access systemsAssume a major responsibility for the planning, development, and operation of avariety of on and off-road regional trails. Regional trail facilities may include freshand saltwater trails, off-road hike, bike, and horse trails, on-road bicycle touringroutes and scenic drives, and winter ski, snowboard, and snowmobile trails that aredirectly related to environmental resources that are of most interest to countyresidents.Work with all other public and private agencies, particularly the cities, Port ofBellingham, Washington State Departments of Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources,and Transportation, Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission, US ForestService, and National Park Service, to develop and maintain the following integratedsystem of regional trails.Water trails – non-motorized crafta: Incorporate and extend the Cascade Marine Trail, a saltwater trail network forhand-carry or car-top craft including canoes, kayaks, and lorries extending fromBritish Columbia and through Puget Sound, with launch sites into Drayton Harbor,Birch, Lummi, Bellingham, and Chuckanut Bays, with access to Lummi and PortageIslands.b: Develop a freshwater trail network for hand-carry or car-top craft includinglaunch sites for canoes, kayaks, and lorries that extends the length of theNooksack River from Maple Falls and Deming to Lummi and Bellingham Bays, onSilver and Squires Lakes, and Lake Padden, Whatcom, and Samish.7Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

c: Designate appropriate bad weather pull-ins and overnight camping locationsalong the major saltwater trail routes – including Lighthouse Marine Park,Semiahmoo Spit, Birch Bay State Park, Cherry Point, Lummi and Portage Islands,Marletta, and Larrabee State Park, among others. Designate overnight campinglocations along the major freshwater route on the Nooksack River - includingDeming, Nugent’s Landing, Lynden, Ferndale, and Marletta, among others, andalong the eastern shoreline of Lake Whatcom.d: Develop and operate canoe, kayak, crew, and other non-motorized craftinstruction, rental, and storage facilities at major freshwater locations – includingSilver Lake and Lake Whatcom and Samish.On-road rural and scenic byways – vehicles and bicycle touringa: Create a countywide system of rural and backcountry scenic driving routes andbyways that access and highlight the scenic, environmental, farmland, andhistorical attributes of Whatcom County – especially including Drayton Harbor andBirch Bay, Lummi Island and Bellingham Bay, Chuckanut, Lake Samish, and LakeWhatcom Drives, South Pass Road, SR-9 and the Mount Baker Highway. Integratethe countywide system with other state and federal byways through the NorthCascades, Skagit and Island Counties.b: Develop a series of roadside rest stops, viewpoints, interpretive exhibits, andbyway signage systems that integrate the scenic routes with specific historical,cultural, environmental, and scenic points of interest – such as Semiahmoo Spit inDrayton Harbor, Sandy Point in Lummi Bay, Lovers Bluff on Lummi Island,Chuckanut Island in Chuckanut Bay, among others.c: Integrate byway routes and points of interest to access parks, public facilities,museums and historical sites, and business districts – especially in Blaine, Ferndale,Bellingham, Fairhaven, Lynden, Nooksack, Sumas, Kendall, and the Mount BakerHighway.d: For bicycle touring enthusiasts, designate appropriate overnight bicycle campinglocations along the major routes and byways – such as Lighthouse Marine Park,Hovander Homestead Park, Silver Lake Park, Semiahmoo Spit, Birch Bay State Park,and Larrabee State Park, among others.Off-road trail systemsa: Create a comprehensive system of off-road hike, bike, and horse trails thataccess scenic, environmental, historical, and open space attributes of WhatcomCounty – especially including the Nooksack River, original UP, NP, BB&BC, BB&Erailroad corridors, old logging and mining roads, and where appropriate, within theroad rights-of-way, as well as across cooperating private properties whereappropriate.b: Develop a series of trailheads, trailside rest stops, viewpoints, interpretiveexhibits, and trail signage systems that integrate the off-road hike, bike, and horsetrails with specific historical, cultural, environmental, and scenic points of interest –such as former steam boat landings, fish traps, sawmills, mining sites, farmsteads,railroads, and roads, among others.c: Integrate continuous off-road trail corridors and local spur or loop routes withparks, public facilities, museums and historical sites, and business districts incities.d: For overnight trail users, develop appropriate overnight camping locations alongthe major trail corridors – such as Hovander Homestead Park, Silver Lake Park,Semiahmoo Spit, Birch Bay State Park, and Larrabee State Park, among others.8Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

e: Furnish off-road trails with appropriate supporting trailhead improvements thatinclude interpretive and directory signage systems, rest stops, restrooms, parkingand loading areas, water, and other services.f: Where appropriate, locate trailheads at or in conjunction with park sites, schools,and other community facilities to increase local area access to countywide trailsystems and reduce duplication of supporting improvements.g: Where appropriate, install telephones, emergency call boxes, or other means bywhich trail users can summon fire, emergency aid, police, and other safety andsecurity personnel should the need arise.h: Develop trail improvements of a design and development standard that is easy tomaintain and access by maintenance, security, and other appropriate personnel,equipment, and vehicles.Winter trailsa: Designate a system of appropriate winter cross-country skiing, snowboarding,and snowmobiling trails that access safe and secure back roads, trail corridors,parks, and public and private lands in Whatcom County – including Skookum Creek.Link the county winter trails system with the more extensive winter trails networksdesignated on US Forest Service and National Park Service lands in the MountBaker/Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park.Off-road vehicle and ATVa: Identify, and when and where appropriate, provide coordination for off-roadmotorcycle, ATC, and 4-wheel drive vehicle riding courses, trails, and areas inWhatcom County.2.6 Athletic parksAssume responsibility for the planning of a system of regional athletic parkfacilities. These facilities may include competitive soccer, softball, and baseballfields that are of most interest to county residents on a countywide or regionalscale.Help coordinate and assist other public and private agencies including the cities,school districts, and regional league organizations. Such coordination will seek tosite and sponsor development of major competitive outdoor athletic facilities for allage and skill groups within reasonable geographic service areas of majorpopulation centers.Athletic fieldsa: Designate a network of sites that can be developed (such as soccer, softball, andbaseball fields) that meet the highest quality competitive practice and playingstandards and requirements for all age groups, skill levels, and recreationalinterests – including new possible sites at Bay Horizion Park, Kendall CommunityCenter, and Mt Baker Highway/Nooksack.2.7 Community centersHelp coordinate the planning, development, and operation of specialized indoorfacilities including aquatic facilities, gymnasiums, arts and crafts, classrooms,meeting rooms for special populations, youths and teens, seniors, and the generalpopulation that are of major interest to county residents of all agesHelp coordinate and assist other public and private agencies including theWhatcom County Council on Aging, cities, school Districts, YMCA, and Boys & GirlsClub, among others, to realize the following effective facilities and services withinreasonable geographic service areas of major population centers.9Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Community centersa: Designate a network of multipurpose community centers that can be developedto provide arts and crafts, music, video, classroom instruction, meeting facilities,eating and health care, daycare, latch key, and other spaces for all age groupsincluding preschool, youth, teens, and seniors on a year-round basis.b: Support the continued development and diversification by the Whatcom Countyschool districts and other organizations of special meeting, assembly, and othercommunity facilities that provide general support to school age populations andthe community-at-large at elementary, middle, and high schools within WhatcomCounty urban growth and community planning areas.c: Develop special outdoor cultural and performing arts facilities that enhance andexpand music, dance, drama, cultural and historical interpretations, and otheraudience and participatory opportunities for the county-at-large – including afestival events area at Hovander Homestead Park.2.8 Special purpose facilitiesAssume some responsibility, including enterprise operations and/or joint effortswhere appropriate, for the development and operation of facilities that have specialor unique interests, impacts or relevance to residents of Whatcom County that maynot be provided by another public or private agency.Help coordinate and assist other public and private agencies including theWhatcom and Lummi Island Land Trusts, Council on Aging, Historical Society, andGun Club, among others, on enterprise operations for interpretive centers,museums, gun ranges, and other specialized facilities.Special enterprisesa: Where appropriate and economically feasible (self-supporting), designate andsupport operation of specialized and special interest recreational facilities likecanoe and crew houses, equestrian centers, gun ranges, historical museums andexhibits, retreats and conference centers for these interests in the generalpopulation.b: Where appropriate, initiate joint planning and operating programs with otherpublic and private agencies to determine and provide for special activities likemarinas, ATV and off-road vehicle courses, and camping on a regional basis.2.9 Recreational programsCoordinate, assist, and on occasion program and operate recreational andinterpretive programs and outreach activities of special interest to or benefit forcounty residents at county park sites and community centers.Coordinate, promote, and link an integrated recreational program system withother public, non-profit, and for-profit agencies, organizations, and vendors. Suchprograms may include athletic leagues and sports, teen and senior age groups, andspecial populations where these activities are of major interest and benefit tocounty residents of all ages.Recreational programsa: Organize and sponsor the operation of environmental, historical, cultural, andrecreational programs providing instruction, volunteerism, and participation inhabitat restoration, water-based recreation, trail development and security,interpretation programs, summer and day-camps, maintenance, and other sitespecificactivities at Whatcom County parks sites and properties.b: Create a central access point and clearinghouse for arts and crafts, classroominstruction in music and dance, physical conditioning and health care, meeting10Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

facilities, daycare, latch key, and other program activities for all cultural, age,physical and mental capability, and income groups in Whatcom County by allagencies and vendors including the county.c: Designate and land bank appropriate sites, and facilitate developmentagreements and clearinghouse access to user and league organizations to operatebasketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, baseball, softball, and other instruction andparticipatory programs for all age, skill level, and income groups in WhatcomCounty.d: Assist historical and cultural societies to develop and display artifacts, reports,and exhibits; and conduct lectures, classes, and other programs that document anddevelop awareness of Whatcom County's heritage at county park sites andproperties.2.10 Cultural arts programs and resourcesOrganize, coordinate, and selectively develop high quality, diversified cultural artsfacilities and programs that increase awareness, attendance, and participationopportunities at Whatcom County parks and properties.Programsa: Support successful collaborations between public agencies, the businesscommunity, service groups, schools, arts patrons, and artists that optimally utilizeartistic resources and talents at Whatcom County parks and properties.Artworksa: Where appropriate, incorporate public artworks including paintings, sculptures,exhibits, and other media for indoor and outdoor display to expand resident accessand appropriately furnish public places in Whatcom County parks and properties.2.11 Design and access standardsDesign and develop Whatcom County facilities that are accessible, safe, and easy tomaintain, with life cycle features that account for long-term costs and benefits.Accessibilitya: Design outdoor picnic areas, trails, playgrounds, courts, fields, parking lots,restrooms, and other active and supporting facilities to be accessible to individualsand organized groups of all physical capabilities, skill levels, age groups, income,and activity interests.b: Design indoor facility spaces, activity rooms, restrooms, hallways, parking lots,and other active and supporting spaces and improvements to be accessible toindividuals and organized groups of all physical capabilities, skill levels, agegroups, income, and activity interests.Maintenancea: Design, retrofit, and develop facilities that are of low maintenance and highcapacity design to reduce overall facility maintenance and operation requirementsand costs.b: Where appropriate, incorporate low maintenance materials, settings or othervalue engineering considerations that reduce care and security requirements, andretain natural conditions and experiences.Security, safety, and accessibilitya: Implement the provisions and requirements of the American Disabilities Act(ADA) and other design and development standards that improve park facilitysafety and security features for park users, department personnel, and the publicat-large.11Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

: Develop and implement safety standards, procedures, and programs thatprovide proper training and awareness for department personnel.c: Define and enforce rules and regulations concerning park activities andoperations that protect user groups, department personnel, and the general publicat-large.d: Where appropriate, use adopt-a-park programs, park watches, park policepatrols, and other innovative programs that increase safety and security awarenessand visibility.2.12 Financial resources and coordinationCreate effective and efficient methods of acquiring, developing, operating andmaintaining Whatcom County facilities and programs that accurately distributecosts and benefits to public and private interests.Financea: Investigate innovative available methods, such as growth impact fees, land set-asideor fee-in-lieu-of-donation ordinances, and inter-local agreements, for thefinancing of facility development, maintenance, and operating needs in order toreduce costs, retain financial flexibility, match user benefits and interests, andincrease facility services.b: Consider joint ventures with other public and private agencies including thecities, school districts, regional, state, federal, and other public and privateagencies including for-profit concessionaires, where feasible and desirable.Public and private resource coordinationa: Create a comprehensive, balanced open space, trail, park, and recreation systemthat integrates Whatcom County facilities and services with resources availablefrom the cities, school districts, and other regional, state, federal, and private parkand recreational lands and facilities in a manner that will best serve and provide forWhatcom County resident interests.b: Cooperate with the cities, school districts, regional, state, and federal, and otherpublic and private agencies to avoid duplication, improve facility quality andavailability, reduce costs, and represent resident area interests through jointplanning and development efforts.Cost/benefit assessmenta: Define existing and proposed land and facility levels-of-service (ELOS/PLOS) thatdifferentiate requirements due to population growth impacts versus improvedfacility standards, regional versus local nexus of benefit, county versus thecombination of city, county, school, and other provider agency efforts in order toeffectively plan and program open space, trails, parks, and recreation needs withinWhatcom County.b: Create effective and efficient methods of acquiring, developing, operating, andmaintaining open space, trail, park, and recreational facilities in manners thataccurately distribute costs and benefits to public and private user interests -including the application of growth impact fees where new developments impactpotential level-of-service (ELOS) standards inside urban growth and communityplanning areas.c: Develop and operate recreational programs that serve the broadest needs of thepopulation recovering program and operating costs with a combination ofregistration fees, user fees, grants, sponsorships, donations, scholarships,volunteer efforts, and the use of general funding.12Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

d: Where appropriate, provide recreational programs, like equestrian centers,boating facilities, gun ranges, and retreat and conference facilities for thoseinterested groups who are willing to finance the cost through user fees, registrationfees, volunteer efforts, or other means and methods.2.13 Human resourcesDevelop, staff, train, and support a professional open space, trail, park, andrecreation staff that effectively serves Whatcom County in the realization of theabove listed goals and objectives.Personnela: Employ a diverse, well-trained work force that is motivated to achievedepartment and countywide goals.b: Encourage teamwork through communications, creativity, positive image, risktaking, sharing of resources, and cooperation toward common goals.c: Where appropriate, provide staff with education, training, technology, equipmentand supplies to increase personal productivity, efficiency, and pride.13Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

14Chapter 2: Goals and objectivesWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Chapter 3: Plan elements - regionalThe following proposals concerning elements of the open space, trail, and parkplan are based on the results of environmental inventories, field analysis,demand analysis, workshop planning sessions, and the mail-out/phone-backsurvey of resident households. The proposals outline the vision developed forREGIONAL open space, trails, and parks within Whatcom County for the next 20years. The proposals are CONCEPTUAL, in some instances, subject to furtherstudy and coordination with public and private participants that may modifythe eventual project particulars.The proposals are described referring to a site or property that may provide amajor type of open space, trail, or park activity. Any particular site or property mayinclude one or all of the described element plan features. The proposals in eachsection describe the improvements that will be accomplished under each majortype of plan element - see each plan element for a composite description for anyparticular site.See the exhibits section describing the current condition of Whatcom County parkand conservancy properties, along with possible future improvements. See also theappendix chapters on existing land and facilities or opportunities for a descriptionof each site's current conditions, ownership, and other particulars.3.1 Conservancies – natural resource areasGenerally, conservancy lands may protect, preserve, and conserve lands that haveenvironmental features of critical area significance (floodplains and landslidehazard), ecological importance (shorelines, wetlands and watersheds), forestland(old growth, woodland cover, and prime productive), farmland (heritage and primeproductive), wildlife habitat (threatened and endangered species), and open spaceto Whatcom County.To the extent possible and practical, resource conservancy lands may linkpreserved open spaces (even though these lands may not be publicly accessible) togreenways and open space networks. These linked areas will visually define andseparate developing urban areas from each other in accordance with the objectivesof the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA).To the extent practical, some resource conservancy lands may provide nature andinterpretive trails, exhibits, and interpretive facilities to increase public awarenessand appreciation for significant and visually interesting environmental, wildlife,forest, and farm features. Some supporting services may also be developedincluding limited trailheads, parking lots, and restrooms.Resource conservancy activities may be located on independent properties orinclude portions of other sites provided for resource activities, trail corridors, orother public facilities. Conservancies may also be developed on other publiclyowned lands subject to public use agreements or easements; or on lands acquiredfor other public purposes including storm water management, groundwaterrecharge, and wastewater treatment.VisionResource conservancies may be realized through:• acquisition of title and/or development rights of resource lands - thatwould otherwise be developed for other rural or urban land uses; and• provision for public access and interpretive use - which would not bepossible if the lands remained in private ownership.15Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Tidelands and saltwater shorelineExisting tideland ownershipState tidelands - when Washington State was established on 11 November 1889,the state claimed ownership of all beds and shores of navigable waters up to andincluding the line of ordinary high water (mean high tide) or the tidelands. Thisclaim included the tidelands or beach between mean high tide and mean low tidethat had been used for public access for centuries before the federal governmentgranted these lands to the state.The 1889 Washington State Legislature authorized the sale of public tidelandsincluding the beach rights to private individuals and adjacent property landowners.From 1889 to 1971, when all sales were discontinued, the state sold approximately60% of all public tidelands in the state to private owners prior to thediscontinuance.Private ownership allows the owners to use the tidelands as private property that attimes have included the right to erect structures, bulkheads, and otherobstructions to public passage. Under state law, private property owners also havethe right to control the use of privately-owned tidelands - particularly forrecreational uses such as picnicking, swimming, camping, fishing, claming,boating, and other activities.In the early 1970s, the state rescinded the option of selling tidelands and retainedtidelands as public property for public use and/or revenue benefit. The WashingtonState Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages the remaining publictidelands within the state.DNR's public saltwater tideland holdings are classified and mapped by thedepartment based on width of ownership and type of use. Generally, departmentmaps include public use beaches, beaches leased to private parties,environmentally sensitive beaches, and beaches otherwise not suitable for publicuse. The department does not map tidelands less than 200 feet in length orfreshwater ownership.Uplands - are parts of the almost always-dry beach area located above the highwater tide mark - although portions may be covered by extremely high tides orduring storms. Uplands may be barren of vegetation and may consist of sanddunes, gravel bars, tide pools, or log and storm debris covered earthen shorelines.Private parties own uplands except where public agencies have acquired title forparks, state uplands, road right-of-way, or other public facilities.Tidelands - are the beach areas alternately covered and uncovered by the risingand falling tide. Tidelands are barren of vegetation and may consist of sand,gravel, or mud deposits and beaches. Tidelands may be publicly or privatelyowned. However, even when publicly owned, the upland property may be in privateownership - meaning some public tidelands may be landlocked or not be accessedfrom other public landholdings.The swash line - or small floating debris that has been left on the beach when thetide is out – usually mark the boundary of the ordinary high tide. On somewaterfront properties, however, the upland ownership extends to the meander line- which is some distance offshore from the line of ordinary high tide. In thisinstance, the property line will be located beyond the area normally indicated bythe swash line.DNR's public saltwater tideland holdings are classified and mapped by thedepartment based on width of ownership and type of use. Generally, departmentmaps include public use beaches, beaches leased to private parties,environmentally sensitive beaches, and beaches otherwise not suitable for public16Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

5,106,11121-2322933saltwater corridor251326-289734414-1617-18238319 20-2124312230Conservation – saltwater shorelineExisting shoreline Proposed shoreline O existing shoreline1 Birch Bay Shoreline Properties 11 Marine Park 21 Lummi Island Beach 220 5 Semiahmoo Spit O proposed shoreline2 Birch Bay Tidelands 12 Birch Point Beach 372 22 Carter Point 31 Lily Point --- saltwater corridors3 Chuckanut Mountain Park 13 Lummi Island Beach 224 23 Chuckanut Rock 32 Point Whitehorn4 Maple Beach Tidelands 14 Bumstead Spit Beach 223 24 Wildcat Cove 33 Cherry Point5 Semiahmoo Park/Tidelands 15 Bumstead Spit South 223A 25 Nooksack River at Marietta 34 Lovers Bluff6 Blaine Harbor 16 Lummi Island Beach 223B 26 Marine Drive at Cliffside7 Little Squalicum Beach 17 Smugglers Cove Pt Beach 221A 27 Chuckanut Bay8 Chuckanut Bay Tidelands 18 Smugglers Cove Pt Beach 221 28 Marine Drive at Cliffside9 Little Squalicum Park 19 Devils Slide Beach 220A 29 Birch Bay State Park10 Semiahmoo Tidelands 20 Lummi Island NRCA 30 Larrabee State Park

use. The department does not map tidelands less than 200 feet in length orfreshwater ownership. DNR maps identify tideland parcels around the countyshoreline, with a variety of tidal ranges, from 7.4 to 17.4 feet.The following are public tidelands indicated to be public access sites by DNR andother public agencies in Whatcom County:Linear feet of saltwater shorelineWhatcom County1 Birch BayShorelineProperties2 Birch BayTidelands3 ChuckanutMountain Park4 Maple BeachTidelands5 Semiahmoo Parkand TidelandsCollection of shoreline or near shoreproperties located along Birch Bay Drive atCedar Avenue and Beach Way, CottonwoodDrive, Alderson Road, Jackson Road, andalong Terrell Creek.Collection of tidelands located along BirchBay Drive on Birch Bay. Major parcels includeproperties located north of CottonwoodDrive, north of the intersection ofHarborview and Birch Bay Drive, EvergreenLane south past Cedar Lane, and north ofAlderson Road.11.19-acre Teddy Bear Cove includesshoreline on Chuckanut Bay accessed offChuckanut Drive.Tidelands property located in Point Robertson Bay View Drive on Boundary Bay. Theproperty provides access to the tidelands forbeach walks, swimming, and shell fishing.17.9-acre park property located onSemiahmoo Spit between Semiahmoo Bayand Drayton Harbor in Blaine. The propertyincludes shoreline and tideland that provideaccess to extensive claming beds andbeachcombing areas.Port of Bellingham6 Blaine Harbor 100 acres of tide flats filled with dredgematerials to provide about 50.0 acres ofland improvements. The remaining 50.0acres conserves mudflats, shoreline, andwildlife habitat.7 Squalicum - LittleSqualicum BeachBellingham8 Chuckanut BayTidelands9 Little SqualicumParkShoreline corridor located on Roeder Avenuebetween the Port and Tybury Pier adjoiningLittle Squalicum Creek Park.68.7-acre tidelands conservancy located onthe north shore of Chuckanut Bay adjacentto estuary conservation sites.Undeveloped park site with trails located atthe mouth of the Little Squalicum Creek offMarine Drive. Property includes sandyshoreline on the bay and a wide, flat creekravine. Park includes some Port and Countyproperties managed by the City.9091,2572,0008,81220018Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Blaine10 SemiahmooTidelandsLinear feet of saltwater shorelineTidelands located on the east and south ofSemiahmoo Spit and portions of the westshoreline of Drayton Harbor to be dedicatedfor public use with the development ofSemiahmoo Resort and Uplands.11 Marine Park Waterfront park located across from BlaineMarina with shoreline on Semiahmoo Bay.WA Department of Natural Resources – Access sites 51,24012 Birch Point Beach37213 Lummi IslandBeach 22414 Bumstead SpitBeach 22315 Bumstead SpitSouth Beach 223A16 Lummi IslandBeach 223B17 Smugglers CoveNorth Beach 221A18 Smugglers CovePoint Beach 22119 Devils Slide Beach220A20 Lummi IslandNatural ResourceConservation Area(NRCA)21 Lummi IslandBeach 220Public tidelands site located north of BirchPoint southwest of Blaine with access byboat only and an extensive lower beach,sandy flats, and claming potentials.Public tidelands site located on thenortheast side of Lummi Island off NugentRoad adjacent to the old county ferry dockright-of-way with eelgrass and claming beds.The site is accessible by boat or by way ofthe county-owned ferry dock access right-ofway.Public tidelands site located on the east sideof Lummi Island with access by boat onlywith clamming beds.Public tidelands site located on the east sideof Lummi Island with access by boat onlywith clamming beds.Public tidelands site located on the east sideof Lummi Island with access by boat onlywith claming beds.Public tidelands site located on the east sideof Lummi Island with access by boat only toa shoreline located below the bluffs.Public tidelands site located on the east sideof Lummi Island with access by boat only toa shoreline located below the bluffs.Public tidelands site located on the west sideof Lummi Island near Lummi Rocks withaccess by boat only to gravel pocketbeaches, rock slides, and intertidal areas.42.0 acre recreation area located in ReilHarbor on the southeast side of LummiIsland overlooking Eliza Island with accessby boat only with gravel beaches andoverhanging bluffs.Public tidelands site encompasses the ReilHarbor Beach/Lummi Island Recreation Sitewith access to a shoreline featuring graveland rock beaches.22 Carter Point 30.0-acre public tidelands site located at thesouth end of Lummi Island adjacent to theUS Coast Guard lighthouse reserve property.2,9302,8052,5741,1881,1044,8124,4813,1882,12523,5332,500Following is a list of other significant DNR tidelands holdings with shore and/orboat access opportunities:Tidelands high/extreme 3,20023 Chuckanut Rock Public tideland located around the completecircumference of Chuckanut Rock inChuckanut Bay.24 Wildcat Cove Public tideland located in Wildcat Coveadjoining Larrabee State Park.1,6001,60019Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Linear feet of saltwater shorelineTidelands meander 11,30025 Nooksack River atMariettaPublic tideland located on the east side ofthe east branch of the Nooksack Riverconfluence with Bellingham Bay at Marietta1,80026 Marine Drive atCliffsidewith access from Marine Drive.Public tideland located on Bellingham Baysouth of Marine Drive and the railroad tracksbetween Locust Avenue and Cliffside Driveunder the Bellingham International Airportflight path.27 Chuckanut Bay Public tideland located on Chuckanut Baynorth from Fragrance Creek outfall withaccess from Chuckanut Drive.5,0004,500Tidelands low/extreme 80028 Marine Drive atCliffsidePublic tideland located on Bellingham Baywest of West Cliffside Drive and adjacent800meander tidelands.WA Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 11,85529 Birch Bay State8,255Park30 Larrabee StateParkTotal saltwater shoreline193.2-acre multi-use state park located onBirch Bay and Terrell Creek with saltwatershoreline and 14,923 linear feet offreshwater shoreline.2,683-acre multi-use state park located offChuckanut Drive on Wildcat Coveoverlooking Chuckanut Bay and the San JuanIslands with tidal pools.3,600Proposed tideland acquisitionsThe following tidelands and saltwater shoreline may be provided conservancyprotection through easements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject toappropriate feasibility studies with public and private participants.Linear feet of saltwater shorelineWhatcom County and other participants5 Semiahmoo Spit –Blaine31 Lily Point – PointRoberts32 Point Whitehorn –Birch BayIn association with Blaine – acquiredevelopment rights to the spit propertylocated northeast of the existing park.Preserve the tidelands, extend the shorelinetrails, and develop a bird watching blind andinterpretive exhibit.In association with Point Roberts R&RD –acquire development rights to the parcellocated at the end of Seacliff Road topreserve archaeological sites, shoreline, andthe wooded upper bluff.In association with Northwest P&RD –acquire development rights to the shorelineproperties to preserve the tidelands andextend a shoreline trail between CherryPoint and Birch Bay.33 Cherry Point Acquire development rights to shorelineproperties located at the street-ends atPowder Plant Road, Henry Road, andAldergrove Road. Preserve the shorelinesand develop access trails to the beach andbetween Cherry Point and Point Whitehorn.20Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Linear feet of saltwater shoreline34 Lovers Bluff –Lummi IslandIn association with the Lummi Island LandTrust – acquire development rights to LoversBluff. Preserve the shoreline and provideaccess trails to the beach.Total saltwater shoreline additionsFreshwater shoreline and water bodiesExisting freshwater shoreline and water bodiesThe following freshwater shoreline and water bodies provide significant resourceconservancy potentials of regional or countywide significance.Linear feet of freshwater shorelineWhatcom County 58,0671 Canyon LakeCommunity Forest2,266.0-acre conservancy site includes 45acres of water surface on Canyon Lakejointly owned with Western WashingtonUniversity.2 Sunnyside Landing 6.6-acre undeveloped park property locatedon the east shore of Lake Whatcom.3 Deming33.0-acre conservancy property locatedHomestead Eagle along the shoreline of the Middle Fork of theParkNooksack River accessed from Truck Road.4 Ditrich (East LakeSamish) Park5 HovanderHomesteadPark/Tennant LakeInterpretiveCenter6 Lake WhatcomPark – North7 Lake WhatcomPark – South (HeggPark, Zobrist &RichardsProperties)33.0-acre undeveloped park property(formerly known as East Lake Samish Park)located on East Samish Lake Drive on LakeSamish south of Bellingham city limits.333.4-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and park property located on Neilson Roadon the Nooksack River adjacent to Ferndalecity limits. The property includes shorelineon the east shore dike of the NooksackRiver.218.0-acre park property located on thenortheast shoreline of Lake Whatcom andaccessed from North Shore Drive. The parksite includes shoreline along the route of thehistoric Bellingham Bay & Eastern Railroad(BBE) right-of-way (3.0-mile Hertz Trail).79.5-acre park property located on thesoutheast shoreline of Lake Whatcomaccessed from South Bay Drive. The siteincludes shoreline on Lake Whatcom.8 Silver Lake Park 412.1-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and recreational park located on Silver Lakeand Black Mountain Roads on Silver Lakeeast of Sumas. The site provides waterfrontalong the west shore of Silver Lake on whathad been a private resort, early-dayhomestead, and logging site.9 South Fork Park(Acme, Overby,and Nesset Farms)3 farmsteads located on the South Fork ofthe Nooksack River off Mosquito Lake Road.East Acme Farm includes 262.2 acres with8,425 linear feet of river shoreline. OverbyFarm property includes 234.8 acres with7,145 linear feet of river shoreline. TheNesset Farm includes 106.0 acres with 5,200linear feet of river shoreline.4,9157002,5001,60011,45010,9916,1425,69910,77021Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

818freshwater1917165corridors3113151126141247910Conservation – freshwater shorelineExisting shoreline Proposed shoreline O existing shoreline1 Canyon Lake Comty Forest 10 Squires Lake Park 1 Canyon Lake Cmty Forest O proposed shoreline2 Sunnyside Landing 11 Euclid Park 7 Lake Whatcom South --- freshwater corridors3 Deming Homestead Eagle Park 12 Lake Padden Park 9 Nooksack River – South Fork4 Ditrich-East Lake Samish Park 13 Sunset Pond Open Space 18 Nooksack River – Lynden5 Hovander Homestead/Tennant 14 Lake Louise NRCA 19 Nooksack River – Everson6 Lake Whatcom Park – N 15 Bug Lake7 Lake Whatcom Park – S 16 Lake Terrell Game Refuge8 Silver Lake Park 17 Birch Bay State Park9 South Fork County Park

Linear feet of freshwater shoreline10 Squires Lake Park 84.2-acre park property located off Old 3,300Highway 99 on Squires Lake on theWhatcom/Skagit County line. The siteincludes a 10-acre lake. Approximately 57.2acres of the site are located within SkagitCounty.Bellingham11 Euclid Park 18.6-acre park site with trail and shoreline 700located on Lake Whatcom with access fromLakeway Drive. The heavily wooded siteincludes a small stream through the middleof the triangular property emptying into thelake. 2.23 acres owned by Whatcom Countywith 62.3 linear feet of shoreline.12 Lake Padden Park 832.0-acre multi-use park located on SamishWay with 152-acre lake, extensive woodlandcover, and Padden Creek riparian corridor.13 Sunset Pond OpenSpace21.5-acre wetland preserve with pondslocated on James Street.WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR)14 Lake LouiseNatural ResourcesConservation Area(NRCA)DNR Natural Resources Conservation Arealocated near the west shoreline of LakeWhatcom off Lake Louise Road withwoodland cover, wetlands, and beaver pond.WA Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW)15 Bug Lake 9.8-acre natural area located on SqualicumPark Way adjacent to I-5 with lake shoreline.16 Lake Terrell GameRefugeWA Park & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 14,92317 Birch Bay State 193.2-acre multi-use state park located on 14,923ParkBirch Bay and Terrell Creek with 8,255 linearfeet of saltwater shoreline.Total freshwater shorelineProposed freshwater acquisitionsThe following freshwater shorelines may be provided conservancy protectionthrough easements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriatefeasibility studies with public and private participants.Linear feet of freshwater shorelineWhatcom County and participating agencies1 Canyon LakeCommunity Forest7 Lake WhatcomSouth9 Nooksack River –South Fork/Acme18 Nooksack River –LyndenIn association with the Whatcom Land Trust– acquire development rights along CanyonCreek Road corridor between Mosquito LakeRoad and Canyon Lake Community Forest topreserve the riparian habitat along CanyonCreek.In association with Bellingham – acquire themissing trail segment along the railroadcorridor and preserve the shoreline aroundthe lake.Acquire a trail easement on private and DNRproperties to link the East Acme and OverbyFarm Properties and preserve the riverfront.Acquire development rights to the northbank of the Nooksack River off River Road atFishtrap Creek to preserve the woodlandsand riverfront.23Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Linear feet of freshwater shoreline19 Nooksack River –EversonAcquire development rights to the southbank of the Nooksack River off Abbot andNoon Road to preserve the riverfront.Total proposed freshwater shoreline additionsWatershedsExisting regional watershed sitesWetlands perform significant functions retaining, filtering, and recharging groundand surface water capacity and quality. Wetlands are excluded from developmentor fill under the Growth Management Act.Watersheds are generally retained in a natural state with forest and vegetativecover to prevent erosion and surface water contamination. As such, wetlands andwatersheds protect the water supply for urban settlements, and also providewildlife habitat, forest cover, and open space opportunities.The Lake Whatcom Watershed is the most significant watershed in the county,covering some 56 square miles (36,000 acres) and providing drinking water forover 95,000 people in Whatcom County. It contains 23 subwatersheds and is fedby 36 creeks and tributaries.The following watershed sites provide significant resource conservancy potentialsof regional or countywide significance.Acres*Whatcom County 368.71 Olsen Property Conservancy site co-owned with Bellingham 368.7located off Lake Louise Road on LookoutMountain with trailhead access to uplandhiking trails on Lookout Mountain.Bellingham 123.92 Nielsen Watershed conservancy located in Sudden 33.9Valley area.3 Otto-Wisner Watershed conservation easements – no90.0public access.Blaine 200.04 Blaine Watershed Dedicated, wooded acreage at the200.0headwaters of Dakota Creek conserved forwater supply – controlled access to 1.0-miletrail to fish hatchery tanks maintained byBlaine School District.Total watersheds 692.6* Total site acreage may also provide for other resource or recreational activities.Proposed regional watershed sitesThe following watershed sites provide significant resource conservancy potentialsof regional or countywide significance that may be protected through easements,land use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibility studies withpublic and private participants.Acres*Bellingham 8,000.05 Stewart, Lookout,& AndersonMountainsPreserve and acquire through conveyance,purchase, and easements the state andprivate forestlands surrounding LakeWhatcom for watershed protection andrecreational activities including hiking,swimming, birding, berry picking, fishing,picnicking, and bicycling.8,000.0Total proposed watershed additions 8,000.024Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

ForestlandsExisting regional forestland sitesForestlands, including commercial forest properties, provide resources importantto economic production and development. Significant forestlands are protectedand managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) andUS Forest Service (USFS) for long-term commercial wood harvest and productionviability. As such, forestland management practices protect economic resources,and also provide forest cover, wildlife habitat, and open space opportunities.Washington State Trust Land – statewide, the Department of Natural Resources(DNR) manages more than 3,000,000 acres of state-owned trust forest,agricultural, range lands, and commercial properties that ear income to buildschools, universities, and other state institutions, and help fund local services inmany counties. In addition to earning income, trust lands provide habitat for nativeplant and animal species, clean and abundant water, and public access for outdoorrecreation. There are 97,000 acres of DNR-managed state trusts lands in WhatcomCounty; most of these lands are working forests.Direction for management of these lands comes from the State Constitution andthe Legislature. DNR’s fiduciary duty as trust manager is to generate long-termincome for underlying beneficiaries. In Whatcom County, the benefiting trustsinclude Scientific School (WSU), Common School (K-12 schools), and Forest Board(Whatcom County and local junior taxing districts). State trust lands are managedconsistent with Forest Resource Plan (1992), Habitat Conservation Plan (1997),Forest Practices Rules (WAC 222), and DNR policies. Revenue producing activitiesinclude harvest of timber and forest products, leasing of agricultural land(orchards, vineyards, crops, grazing), and leasing of minerals, communicationssites, and commercial properties.In addition, under the Multiple Use Act (RCW 79.68) the legislature directs DNR topractice multiple use management where it is in the best interests of the state andthe general welfare of the citizens, is consistent with the trust provisions of thelands involved, and is compatible with activities necessary to fulfill the financialobligations of trust management. Multiple uses may include recreation,educational or scientific use, scenic and historic areas, and watershed protection.State Conservation Areas/Natural Areas – DNR’s land management includes asmall, but significant, statewide system of State Natural Resources ConservationAreas (NCRA) and Natural Area Preserves (NAP) that protect native ecosystems andthe plant and animal species that depend on them, and provide access foreducation and low-impact public use, where appropriate.The following sites have forestland cover that provides significant resourceconservancy potentials of regional or countywide significance.Acres*Whatcom County 4,077.21 Canyon LakeCommunity Forest2,266.02 ChuckanutMountain ParkConservancy site jointly owned withWestern Washington University andimproved with a trailhead and 8.7 miles ofhiking trails around the lake to overlooksand an old growth forest.Whatcom County’s portion of the ChuckanutMountain Recreational area located betweenChuckanut Drive and Old Samish Highway.The total 7,000.0-acre landholding includesthe Fish & Wildlife (DFW), Parks & RecreationCommission (P&RC), and City of Bellinghamproperties. Trails link to the Department ofNatural Resources (DNR) Blanchard Forest inSkagit County that offers a variety ofrecreational experiences in a working forest.999.825Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

45watershed1255Conservation – watershedsExisting watershed sites Proposed watershed O existing properties1 Olsen Property 5 Stewart, Lookout & Anderson O proposed properties2 Nielsen Property Mountains --- watershed boundaries3 Otto-Wisner Property4 Blaine Watershed

141541917131698112123623-2521 10522201817Conservation – forestlandsExisting forestlands Proposed forestlands O existing forestlands1 Canyon Lake Comty Forest 9 Euclid Park 1 Canyon Lake Comty Forest 22 Blue Canyon Park Road O proposed forestlands2 Chuckanut Mtn County Park 10 Lookout Mountain 4 Sumas Mountain - Ostrom 23 Lookout Mountain – CSIE ---- forestland preservation3 Olsen Property 11 Arroyo Park 17 Lily Point 24 Lookout Mountain – FBT4 Ostrom Conservation Site 12 Lake Padden Park 18 Lummi Mountain 25 Lookout Mountain - FBP5 Stimpson Family Reserve 13 Whatcom Falls Park 19 Nooksack River – Lynden6 Lookout Mountain 14 Lincoln Park 20 Nooksack River – South Fork7 Airport – Lost Lake 15 Berthusen Park 21 Lake Samish Greenway8 Portage Island 16 Lake Whatcom Landscape Plan

3 Olsen Property Conservancy site co-owned with Bellinghamlocated off Lake Louise Road on LookoutMountain. The site has trailhead access toupland hiking trails on Lookout Mountain.4 OstromConservation Site5 Stimpson FamilyNature Reserveand AndersonProperty –includes LakeLouise NRCAConservancy site located off South PassRoad east of Everson leased to the NooksackValley School District for outdoor educationpurposes. The forested property providestrail access and parking.A resource conservation and natural arealocated off Lake Louise Road east ofBellingham city limits. The site is acooperative project by the WashingtonDepartment of Natural Resources (DNR),Bellingham, and Whatcom Land Trust – andis managed by Whatcom County Parks &Recreation Department. The site has beenimproved with a 4-mile trail, trailhead, pondoverlook and rest areas.6 Lookout Mountain Undeveloped park property located south ofBirch Street adjoining City of Bellinghamproperty.Acres*368.738.7384.020.07 Airport – Lost Lake Wetland and woodland habitat conservancylocated on Wynn and Curtis Roads betweenDNR property and Airport’s west boundary.Lummi Nation8 Portage Island Conservancy connected to the mainland bysand spit with interior wetlands, woodlands,and sand dunes.Bellingham 1,208.79 Euclid Park Undeveloped park site with trail and 700linear feet of shoreline located on LakeWhatcom with access from Lakeway Drive.The heavily wooded site includes a smallstream through the middle of the triangularproperty emptying into the lake.10 Lookout Mountain Natural area with dirt mountain bike trailsadjacent to 20.0 acres owned by WhatcomCounty located south of Birch Street.11 Arroyo Park Trails and parking area located east ofChuckanut Drive and south of Lake SamishRoad at the north end of ChuckanutMountain – includes Interurban Trail.12 Lake Padden Park Multi-use park located on Samish Way with --- acre lake, extensive woodland cover, andPadden Creek riparian corridor.13 Whatcom FallsParkMulti-use park located on Whatcom Creek offWoburn Street with riparian corridor andextensive woodland cover.18.640.167.0832.0251.0Blaine 28.014 Lincoln Park Wooded hillside park and city watershedwith small drainage creek, a pond, views andvistas of harbor, water storage tank, andtreatment facility.28.0Lynden15 Berthusen Park Wooded hillside park located on BadgerRoad and Lynnwood Drive west of Lynden onBertrand Creek.28Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Acres*WA DNR Forest Board/School Trust 15,700.016 Lake Whatcom DNR-managed land in the Lake Whatcom 15,700.0watershed is managed consistent withlegislative direction, the multiple use act,DNR policies, and the Lake WhatcomLandscape Plan (FEIS 2004). This workingforest provides economic benefits as wellas clean water, wildlife habitat, openspace, and recreational opportunities.Total forestlands* Total site acreage may also provide for other resource or recreational activities.Proposed forestland acquisitionsThe following forestlands may be provided conservancy protection througheasements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibilitystudies with public and private participants.Acres*Whatcom County1 Canyon LakeCommunity Forest4 Sumas Mountain –Ostrom Property17 Lily Point – PointRoberts18 Lummi Mountain –Lummi IslandNRCA19 Nooksack River –Lynden20 Nooksack River –South Fork/Acme21 Lake SamishGreenway -BellinghamIn association with the Whatcom Land Trust– acquire development rights along CanyonCreek Road corridor between Mosquito LakeRoad and Canyon Lake Community Forest topreserve woodlands and riparian habitatalong Canyon Creek.Acquire development rights to the propertylocated adjacent to the Ostrom Property.Preserve the farmstead, woodlands, and inassociation with DNR, develop access trailsand a trailhead to Sumas Mountain.In association with Point Roberts R&RD -acquire development rights to the parcellocated at the end of Seacliff Road topreserve the shoreline and woodland bluff.In association with WA DNR – acquiredevelopment rights to the privateforestlands located between state forestownership on Lummi Mountain. Preserve theforests and extend access trails around themountain and between the ferry landing andReil Harbor Beach – the Lummi IslandNatural Resource Conservation Area (NRCA).Acquire development rights to the northbank of the Nooksack River off River Road atFishtrap Creek. Preserve the woodlands andriverfront and develop access trails andinterpretive exhibits.Acquire a trail easement on private and DNRproperties to link the East Acme and OverbyFarm Properties. Preserve the riverfront andwoodlands.In association with the Whatcom Land Trustand DNR – acquire development and loggingrights to preserve the scenic woodland coverof the forestlands located along the I-5corridor from Skagit County to LakewayDrive.29Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Acres*WA DNR School Trust (CSIE) 8,400.022232425Lake WhatcomReservoir DNRPrivate ForestLandsConserve forest cover on DNR trust landslocated on the east and west shores of LakeWhatcom.8,400FarmlandsExisting regional farmland sitesFarmlands, including all variety of crop and livestock productions, provideresources important to economic production and development. Significantfarmlands are protected by Whatcom County under a program that acquiresdevelopment rights (TDR), reduces taxes, and in some instances purchases title toensure long-term agricultural viability.As such, agricultural preservation practices protect economic resources, and alsoprovide some wildlife habitat and open space opportunities. The followingfarmlands (not including TDR properties) provide significant resource conservancypotentials of regional or countywide significance.Acres*Whatcom County Parks Department 1,348.51 HovanderHomesteadPark/Tennant LakeInterpretiveCenterConservancy, historic farmstead, and parkproperty located on Neilson Road on theNooksack River adjacent to Ferndale citylimits. The site conserves the 6,800 squarefoot historic Hovander home, 576 squarefoot observation tower, 340 square footmilking parlor, 384 square foot drying shed,1,375 square foot blacksmith shop, and10,900 square foot barn. The homestead islisted on the National Register of HistoricPlaces. The barnyard is furnished withantique farm implements and equipment,and a collection of livestock and fowl.2 Silver Lake Park Conservancy, historic farmstead, andrecreational park located on Silver Lake andBlack Mountain Roads on Silver Lake east ofSumas. Park improvements include a 2,850square foot storage barn, 2,970 square footbarn and shop, and 1,050 square footequipment shed.333.4412.130Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

prime farmland soils213Conservation – farmlandsExisting farmlands Proposed farmlands O existing farm properties1 Hovander Homestead 3 Nooksack River – South Fork O proposed farm properties2 Silver Lake Park --- prime farmland soils3 South Fork Park

3 South Fork Park(Acme, Overby,and Nesset Farms)3 farmsteads located on the South Fork ofthe Nooksack River off Mosquito Lake Road.East Acme Farm includes 262.2 acres with8,425 linear feet of river shoreline. OverbyFarm property includes 234.8 acres with7,146 linear feet of river shoreline. TheNesset Farm includes 106.0 acres with5,200 linear feet of river shoreline alongwith the historic Nesset homestead thatincludes the home, garage, 3 sheds, andbarn. The Nesset homestead will berestored and used for agriculturalinterpretive programs.Acres*603.0Total farmland conservancies 1,348.5* Total site acreage may also provide for other resource or recreational activities.Proposed farmland acquisitionsThe following farmlands may be provided conservancy protection througheasements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibilitystudies with public and private participants.Acres*Whatcom County and participating agencies3 Nooksack River –South Fork/AcmeTotal proposed farmland additionsAcquire a trail easement on private and DNRproperties to link the East Acme and OverbyFarm Properties. Acquire farmlands inbetween the South Fork properties to createa consolidated holding to preserve thefarms, riverfront, and woodlands.Wildlife and other multipurpose resource conservanciesExisting regional resource conservancy sitesWildlife habitat, including lands and sites used by threatened and endangeredspecies for foraging, nesting, and migration activities, are protected fromdegradation and most urban development activities by the Washington StateGrowth Management Act (GMA) and federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).Significant wildlife habitat and habitat buffers are retained, and may even berestored to a natural state, to provide wildlife support.As such, wildlife habitat ensures the survivability of important species, and alsoprovides wetlands, riparian corridors, forest cover, farm, and open spaceopportunities.The following sites have significant multipurpose resource conservancy potentialsincluding mixtures of shoreline, forestland, farmland, wildlife habitat, and openspace of regional or countywide significance that are not included within thecategories listed above. Some smaller sites are listed that have associations withlarger adjacent conservancy or park parcels with conservancy attributes.Acres*Whatcom County 155.51 Birch BayA wildlife conservancy area located along 45.0Conservancy Area2 Euclid Park(Lakeside Street)3 Lookout MountainParkPoint Whitehorn Road.Conservancy parcel on Lake Whatcom andadjoining Bellingham conservancy propertyon the northwest shore of Lake Whatcom offEuclid Avenue.Future park and conservancy site located offYew Street on Lookout Mountain.2.220.032Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

4 Sunset FarmEquestrian Center5 Turner JaegerProperty6 Terrell CreekConservancy AreaPort of Bellingham7 Airport –Alderwood OpenSpaceLummi Nation8 Lummi Bay-AquaDikeSpecial purpose park property located onBlaine Road in Birch Bay that includeswetlands and woodlands.Conservancy site located on Lake LouiseRoad south of Bellingham city limitsConservancy site located on Terrell Creekproviding protection to Blue Heron rookery.Passive open space located betweenAlderwood Avenue and Marine Drive underthe Airport’s Runway Protection Zone (RPZ).Acres*69.53.815.0Shoreline access located off Kwina Road atthe confluence of the Lummi River intoLummi Bay with trails and parking at theedge of the Lummi aquaculture facility.Bellingham 829.99 Chuckanut BayNorthEstuary preserve on Chuckanut Bay locatedoff Chuckanut Drive.10 Chuckanut Bay Estuary preserve on Chuckanut Bay locatedSouthoff Chuckanut Drive.11 Chuckanut Bay Tidelands conservancy located on ChuckanutTidelandsBay.12 Padden Lagoon Estuary with overlook and interpretivesignage located off Harris Avenue.13 Fever Creek Natural area with wetlands located alongNature Area Railroad Trail adjacent Whatcom Falls Park.14 Post Point Open Natural area with gravel trails and off-leashSpacedog area managed by Public Works located15 Samish CrestNature Area16 Connelly CreekNature Area17 InterurbanGreenway18 Klipsun TrailGreenway19 Lower PaddenTrail Propertiesat the west end of Harris Avenue.Various disconnected natural areas locatedwest of Yew Street on Lookout Mountain.Wetlands preserve with trails located onConnelly Creek adjoining Happy Valley Parkoff Donovan and Douglas Avenues.Trail corridor and natural areas with parking,picnic table, Interurban Trail, Clarita MooreWayside Trail, Hoag Pond, and wetlandsincluding lands between Old FairhavenParkway and Lake Samish Road.Trail corridor and natural area with pondlocated between subdivisions that laybetween Barkley Blvd. and Alabama Streetand east of Railroad Trail.Trail corridor and natural area withInterurban Trail, Lower Padden Trail, andPadden Creek including lands between PostPoint and 12th Street.20 Padden Gorge Woodland riparian corridor extending alongPadden Creek from Lake Padden Park.21 Railroad Trail Wooded railroad trail corridor propertiesGreenwayextending from St Clair Basin to WhatcomFalls Park.22 Salmon Park Natural area with trails along CemeteryCreek extending from Whatcom Creek toLakeway Drive, west of Woburn Drive.23 Squalicum CreekGreenwayNatural area with creek and wetlandsbetween Cornwall Park and Bellingham Bay.24.818.068.75.310.815.374.626.098.617.515.728.424.535.045.733Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

34374132872324251214369-112622162017271821,281333,352515 31930prime wildlife3129Conservation – wildlife and other multipurpose conservanciesExisting wildlife Proposed wildlife1 Birch Bay Conservancy Area 13 Fever Creek Nature Area 25 Sehome Hill Arboretum 36 Clark’s Point Open Space 38 Misc Habitat Reserve – TBD2 Euclid Park – Lakeside St 14 Post Point Open Space 26 Cornwall Park 37 Semiahmoo Open Space 39 Greenway Additions – TBD3 Lookout Mountain Park 15 Samish Crest Nature Area 27 Fairhaven Park4 Sunset Farm Equestrian Center 16 Connelly Creek Nature Area 28 Northridge Park5 Turner Jaeger Property 17 Interurban Greenway 29 WWU – Alger Peat Bog6 Terrell Creek Conservancy 18 Klipsun Trail Greenway 30 WWU – Hannegan Envtl Cntr7 Airport – Alderwood 19 Lower Padden Trail Properties 31 Lake Louise NRCA8 Lummi Bay – Aqua Dike 20 Padden Gorge 32 Clay Pit Ponds9 Chuckanut Bay North 21 Railroad Trail Greenway 33 Fish Hatchery10 Chuckanut Bay South 22 Salmon Park 34 Whatcom Land Trust O existing wildlife11 Chuckanut Bay Tidelands 23 Squalicum Creek Greenway 35 Scudder Pond O proposed wildlife12 Padden Lagoon 24 Whatcom Creek Greenway -- prime wildlife habitat

Whatcom County with other participants38 Misc HabitatReserveSet aside a funding source and developpriority rating criteria to acquire threatenedwildlife habitat, century farms, old growthforests, and scenic viewpoints.Acres*Bellingham 500.039 GreenwayAdditions500.0Additional conservation sites or easementlocations to be acquired along Squalicum,Whatcom, Padden, Connelly, ChuckanutCreeks and/or Bellingham Bay waterfront.Total proposed wildlife and other conservancy addns36Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

3.2 Conservancies - historicalResource properties may be protected that retain and preserve significantarchaeological, historical, and cultural sites and facilities throughout WhatcomCounty. Generally, historical conservancy properties may be acquired that conserveand provide interpretive access to significant sites including Native American sites,original homesteads or prominent building sites, commercial or public buildings ofunique architectural characteristics, locations of important industrial or resourceoriented activities, and other culturally important areas. Lands may also beprotected or acquired that conserve significant man-made constructions on theland including bridges, dikes, dams, and other features.To the extent possible and practical, historical sites and buildings will be linkedwith other parklands to create activity centers or facilities that reflect the originalcultural use. In some instances, the buildings or sites may be adapted to providesupporting services such as trailheads, parking lots, restrooms, and utilities.To the extent possible and practical, historical buildings and structures will beconserved on their original sites. In some instances, however, the buildings orother improvements may be relocated to other public properties in order to betterconserve, display, or provide interpretive access.To the extent practical and protecting of archaeological significance, historical orarchaeological sites may be marked or signed as part of the conservancy parkelement. Interpretive signs may be located off-site or in areas that do not riskexposure or possible vandalism of underlying archaeological resources orproperties (including private lands).VISIONAs described herein, historical conservancies may be realized through:• acquisition of title and/or development rights of properties - that wouldotherwise be destroyed or developed for other land uses;• provision for public access and interpretive use - which would not bepossible if the properties remained in private ownership; and• provision for signing and interpretation - subject to appropriate securitymeasures and underlying property owner agreements.Native American places of significanceExisting Native American places of significanceThe following places provide significant Native American archaeological or culturalconservancy potentials.Number of Native American sitesWhatcom County 21 DemingHomestead EaglePark33.0-acre conservancy property locatedalong the shoreline of the North Fork of theNooksack River accessed from Truck Road.The site has been identified as a frequent12 Lake WhatcomPark – South (HeggPark and Zobristand RichardsProperties)Native American fish harvesting location.79.5-acre park property located on thesoutheast shoreline of Lake Whatcomaccessed from South Bay Drive. The siteincludes 7,142 linear feet of shoreline onLake Whatcom that has been identified as afrequent Native American summer camp.137Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

46713825Conservation – Native American places of significanceExisting sites identified Proposed sites O existing site1 Deming Homestead-Eagle Park 5 Lily Point – Pt Roberts O proposed site2 Lake Whatcom Park – South 6 Nooksack River – Lynden3 Maritime Heritage Park 7 Cherry Point Midden Site4 Blaine WWTP 8 Lummi Island – Village Point

20NPGN5NPBB&BCBB&BC1517BB&E126-11181134BB&E1431619GNInterurban2Conservation – railroad era sites of significanceExisting sites Proposed sites O existing site1 Bayview Marine – Blvd Park 10 BB&BC Depot – Farmers Mkt 19 Lake Whatcom South O proposed site2 Camp Road 2 11 BB&E/NP Trestle 20 Sumas3 Chuckanut Mtn – Interurban 12 Main Line Trolley Tracks4 Lake Whatcom Park North 13 Happy Valley Line5 Maple Falls/Glacier ROW 14 Arroyo Park Interurban6 BB&BC Roundhouse 15 Bay to Baker Trail – BB&BC7 BB&BC Whatcom Creek Bridge 16 Lower Padden Trl - Interurban8 BB&E Whatcom Creek Bridge 17 Railroad Trl Greenway – BB&E9 BB&E/NP Tracks 18 South Bay Trail Greenway

Number of railroad historical sites2 Camp Road 2 2.3-acre portion of an abandoned and1Railroad Property undeveloped logging railroad right-of-wayextending from the southeastern shorelineof Lake Whatcom (Lake Whatcom Park –South) along Camp Road towards SquiresLake and Anderson Mountain in SkagitCounty.3 ChuckanutWhatcom County’s 999.8-acre portion of the 1Mountain Park –Interurban TrailChuckanut Mountain Recreational arealocated between Chuckanut Drive and OldSamish Highway. County lands include theeasement from Puget Sound Energy (PSE) forthe historic Interurban Trolley Electric RailLine (now a trail) from Bellingham to Seattleand Tacoma.4 Lake Whatcom 218.0-acre multi-use park property located1Park - North on the northeast shoreline of Lake Whatcomand accessed from North Shore Drive. Thepark site includes the route of the historicBellingham Bay & Eastern Railroad (BBE)right-of-way (3.0-mile Hertz Trail).Improvements include an interpretive kiosk,vault toilet, and 3.5 miles of multi-use trail.5 Maple117.8-acre historic Bellingham Bay & British 1Falls/Glacier Trail(Bay to Baker Trail)Columbia (BB&BC) Railroad corridorextending 7.0 miles from Maple Fallseastward and terminating east of GlacierCreek. The undeveloped railroad bed adjoinsseveral spur segments. Improvementsinclude a restroom building and parking inGlacier.Bellingham 136 BB&BCRoundhouse1890s - roundhouse located south of LaurelStreet adjacent to the wooden trestledeveloped into the South Bay Trail. Theconcrete foundation for the roundhouse17 BB&BC WhatcomCreek Bridge8 BB&E WhatcomCreek Bridgemaintenance stalls is still visible.Bellingham Bay & British Columbia Railwaybridge located behind the old Mayflowerstorage bridge – the access is now used for apedestrian/bicycle trail.Bellingham Bay & Eastern (BB&E)/NorthernPacific British Columbia (NPBC) Railwaybridge over Whatcom Creek - locatedbetween York and Ellis Streets almostparallel and very close to State Street.9 BB&E/NP Tracks Bellingham Bay & Eastern (BB&E)/NorthernPacific (NP) Railroad tracks - original raillines are visible in the alley between StateStreet and Railroad Avenue from Holly toChampion Streets.10 BB&BC Depot(BellinghamFarmers’ Market)Bellingham Bay & British Columbia (BB&BC)Railroad depot from 1895 - originally locatedon the east side of Railroad Avenue betweenMaple and Magnolia Streets now used by theBellingham Farmers Market.111141Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Number of railroad historical sites11 BB&E/NP Trestle Bellingham Bay & Eastern (BB&E)1Railroad/Northern Pacific (NP) Railroadtrestle - located on Railroad Avenue andextending south adjacent to State Street.The old trestle has been refurbished as theSouth Bay pedestrian and bicycle trail fromRailroad Avenue to Fairhaven.12 Main Line Trolley Main Line trolley tracks – still visible on 11th 1TracksStreet from Finnegan Way to Douglas Street.13 Happy Valley Line Happy Valley line tracks are still visible in1brick paving in the middle of Harris Avenuebetween 11th and 14th Streets.14 Arroyo Park –Interurban67.0-acre multi-use park located east ofChuckanut Drive and south of Old LakeSamish Road at the north end of Chuckanut115 Bay to Baker Trailproperties –BB&BC16 Lower PaddenTrail Properties –Interurban17 Railroad TrailGreenway – BB&E18 South Bay TrailGreenwayMountain – includes Interurban Trail.6.5-acre former RR&BC railroad corridor onold railroad grade between Little SqualicumPark and Squalicum Parkway underdevelopment for multipurpose trail.15.7-acre trail corridor and natural areabetween Post Point and 12th Street –includes portion of Interurban Trail.24.5-acre former Bellingham Bay & Easton(BB&E) Railroad under development formultipurpose trail corridor.9.3-acre former Bellingham Bay & BritishColumbia (BB&BC) Railroad corridordevelopment for multipurpose trailconnecting downtown to Fairhaven.Total existing railroad era sites 18Proposed railroad era sitesThe following sites provide significant railroad era conservancy potentials that maybe protected through easements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject toappropriate feasibility studies with public and private participants.Number of railroad historical sitesWhatcom County with other participants 219 Lake WhatcomSouthIn association with Bellingham – acquire themissing trail segment along the historicBB&E railroad corridor to completedevelopment of the railroad corridor trailconversion around the lake.20 Sumas Acquire the railroad trestles near CedarSprings and Sumas Mountain along thehistoric BB&E railroad corridor.Total proposed additional railroad era sites 2Farm sites of significanceExisting farm sites of significanceThe following sites provide significant farmstead conservancy potentials.Number of farm sitesWhatcom County 41 HovanderHomesteadPark/Tennant LakeInterpretiveCenter333.4-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and park property located on Neilson Roadon the Nooksack River adjacent to Ferndalecity limits. The site conserves the 6,800square foot historic Hovander home, 576square foot observation tower, 340 square111111142Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

213Conservation – farm sites of significanceExisting sites Proposed sites O existing site1 Hovander Homestead 4 TBD O proposed site2 Silver Lake Park3 South Fork Park

Hovander –continuedNumber of farm sitesfoot milking parlor, 384 square foot dryingshed, 1,375 square foot blacksmith shop,and 10,900 square foot barn. Thehomestead is listed on the National Registerof Historic Places. The barnyard is furnishedwith antique farm implements andequipment, and a collection of livestock andfowl.2 Silver Lake Park 412.1-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and recreational park located on Silver Lakeand Black Mountain Roads on Silver Lakeeast of Sumas. The Gerdrum Home/Museumis located across from the main parkentrance and is the site of the originalGerdrum Homestead. The 1,540 square foot2-story hose was built in the 1890s.3 South Fork Park(Acme, Overby,and Nesset Farms)3 farmsteads totaling 603-acres located onthe South Fork of the Nooksack River offMosquito Lake Road. The 106.0 acre NessetFarm includes the historic Nesset homesteadthat includes the home, garage, 3 sheds,and barn. The Nesset homestead will berestored and used for agriculturalinterpretive programs.Total existing farmsteads of significance 3Proposed farmsteads of significanceThe following sites provide significant farmstead conservancy potentials that maybe protected through easements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject toappropriate feasibility studies with public and private participants.Number of farm sitesWhatcom County with other participants 14 To be determined When appropriate, acquire developmentrights to historic farms located in the countyto preserve heritage farmsteads.Total proposed additional farmsteads of significanceOther sites of significanceExisting other historical/cultural sites of significanceThe following sites provide significant other cultural, social, and man-madeconservancy potentials.Number of other historical sitesWhatcom County 71 Bay Horizon Park 68.2-care decommissioned WW2 era militaryradar base with 57,500 square feet offacilities located on Anderson Road in BirchBay. The property was acquired throughFederal surplus and is currently leased tothe Lions Foundation for a summer camp12 Kickerville Road –Pleasant ValleySchool siteand the Birch Bay Lions Club for a hostel.2.6-acre undeveloped property of the formerPleasant Valley School site located onKickerville Road south of Bay Street.3 Monument Park 6.9-acre park site and overlook located onthe US/Canadian border on the northwestshoreline of Point Roberts on Marine Drive.The park contains a 19-foot obeliskimported from Scotland an erected by theJoint Boundary Survey Commission in 1861establishing the US/Canadian border.111144Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

113521236River Steamer1Military Road2172212720Ferry18414-168Ferry9101913FerryFerryConservation – other historical sites of significanceExisting sites Proposed sites Historical districts O existing site1 Bay Horizon Park 9 Fairhaven Library 5 Semiahmoo Park – Blaine 18 Old Town Whatcom O proposed site2 Kickerville Rd – Pleasant Schl 10 Sehome – WWU 17 Nooksack River Water Trail 19 Fairhaven [ ] historical district3 Monument Park 11 Semiahmoo Cannery 20 Bellingham4 Roeder Home 12 Pioneer Park 21 Blaine5 Semiahmoo Park 13 Point Roberts Schoolhouse 22 Ferndale6 Silver Lake Park 14 Whatcom Museum – Courthse 23 Lynden7 Smith & Northwest Sports Flds 15 Whatcom Museum – Syre8 Mount Baker Theater 16 Whatcom Museum – ARCO

Number of other historical sites4 Roeder Home 1.0-acre Victor A Roeder historical1homestead located at 2600 Sunset Drive indowntown Bellingham. The 7,400 squarefoot house and 480 square foot garage werebuilt in 1903 and are on the NationalHistorical Registry. The property wasdonated to the county in 1971 and is usedfor weddings, receptions, meetings, and fineand cultural arts programs and classes.5 Semiahmoo Park 17.9-acre park property located on1and Tidelands Semiahmoo Spit between Semiahmoo Bayand Drayton Harbor in Blaine. Several AlaskaPackers Association cannery buildings wererelocated to the southwest edge of the spitfrom the northeast cannery site. The siteincludes a 1,040 square foot building usedfor an interpretive center and museum,1,040 square foot building used forrestrooms and storage, and a 2,000 squarefoot 2-story building used as a meeting hall.6 Silver Lake Park 412.1-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and recreational park located on Silver Lakeand Black Mountain Roads on Silver Lakeeast of Sumas. The Gerdrum Home/Museumis located across from the main parkentrance and is the site of the originalGerdrum Homestead. The 1,540 square foot2-story house was built in the 1890s.17 Smith & NorthwestSports Fields80.0-acre county property located on thesoutheast corner of Smith and NorthwestRoads west of Ferndale. The site includesthe historic county hospital that has beenconverted into an annex for the Public Worksand Planning Departments.Bellingham 38 Mount BakerTheater10.8-acre, 32,500 square foot historicperforming arts theater complex built in1927 for vaudeville and movies with stage,lighting and dressing rooms, orchestra pit,pipe organ, film projection, fixed seating,and conference facilities on CommercialStreet. Managed under contract.9 Fairhaven Library 0.2-acre, 10,250 square foot branch 1904library located on 12th Street. Includesauditorium seating 150 people with wooddance floor and limited kitchen facilities.Also includes Children’s and Fireplace Roomseating 30-45 people.10 Sehome – WesternWashingtonUniversity (WWU)Sehome – developed in 1858 around a veinof coal that angled into the bay at thebottom of Sehome Hill. Coal tailings weredumped at the base of the hill and into thebay until the coal vein ran out in 1878. In1893, Sehome resident and Washington poetlaureate Ella Higginson persuaded officialsto locate a state normal school (teachers’college) on the hill above the abandonedmine. The school, which evolved intoWestern Washington University, occupies theformer site of the Higginson home.11146Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Number of other historical sitesBlaine 111 Semiahmoo A cannery was located on Semiahmoo spit in 1Cannery1891 to process sockeye salmon harvestedfrom the surrounding waters. The AlaskaPackers Association bought and enlargedthe site to provide supplies for the squareriggersthat fished the Alaska salmon. 3original buildings have been relocated toSemiahmoo County Park. Semiahmoo Resortis restoring Tongue Point Warehouse #6 andthe rail launching ramps, pier, and dockingfacilities.Ferndale 112 Pioneer Park Multi-use park located on Ferndale Road andCherry Street on the Nooksack River. TheFerndale Historical Society has collected avariety of early homestead cabins, houses,barns, stables, stores, and other structuresat the site.1Point Roberts 113 Point RobertsSchoolhouse &Community Center1The historic former schoolhouse is locatedon Gulf Road and owned by the PointRoberts Park & Recreation District. Thebuilding has been restored and provides ameeting room and kitchen adjacent to a colocatedcommunity library.Museums and theaters 314 Whatcom Museumof History & Art115 Whatcom Museumof History & Art16 Whatcom Museumof History & ArtOld City Hall – regional historical museumdisplaying historical exhibits, contemporaryart, lectures, and performances in thehistoric 1892 Whatcom County Courthouselocated on Prospect Street. Includes RotundaRoom seating 125 people with kitchenetteand piano – not available for political,religious, or wedding events.Syre Education Center – housed in theoriginal central fire station located onProspect Street, remodeled to house FirstNations artifacts, mounted birds, Victorianperiod rooms, pioneer and logging exhibits,and extensive photo archives.ARCO Exhibits Building – 1906 cardealership building, extensively remodeledto provide a 3,000 square foot exhibitionhall, preparatory area, and meeting room.Total existing other historical sites of significance 16Proposed other historical/cultural sites of significanceThe following sites provide other significant cultural, social, and man-madeconservancy potentials that may be protected through easements, land useagreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibility studies with publicand private participants.Number of other historical sitesWhatcom County with other participants 25 Semiahmoo Park –BlaineIn association with Blaine, Blaine MaritimeMuseum, and Semiahmoo Resort – movemuseum to the cannery building atSemiahmoo Resort, and reuse park buildingsfor retreats, meetings, and special events.11147Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Number of other historical sites17 Nooksack River In association with Lummi Indian Nation,1Water Trail –Lummi IndianNation-Ferndale-Lynden-Everson-DemingFerndale, Lynden, Everson, and Deming –develop a series of water trail access sitesthe length of the Nooksack River from thedelta to Deming that reflects the historicriver steamer route and landings.Total proposed additional other historical sites 2Historical districtsExisting historical districts containing sites of significanceThe following historical districts contain privately owned structures of significantcultural, social, and man-made conservancy potentials.Number of historical district sitesBellingham 6918 Old TownWhatcomHistorical District19 FairhavenHistorical District20 BellinghamHistorical DistrictWhatcom – the earliest settlement had aneighboring community develop across thecreek after 1880 when 25 Kansas familiessigned an agreement with local promoters,bought stock in a development company,and arrived to found Washington Colony.The families were like-minded, but had notparticular religious or political creed. Theybuilt a wharf, sawmill, and a small town onWhatcom Creek. In 1884, confusions overland ownership resulted in the dissolution ofthe colony in legal challenges. The Whatcombusiness district continued to develop onpilings and plank roads along the waterfrontfrom Prospect to Broadway Streets. By the1890s, the railroads arrived and builtwharves far out into the bay to serviceshipping lines. Whatcom Old Town HistoricalDistrict contains over 23 structures datingfrom 1856 when Whatcom was established.Fairhaven – was developed in earnest in the1880s in expectation of becoming thewestern terminus of the Great NorthernRailway. The central business district housed135 brick and commercial block buildingsincluding retail stores and fine mansions.The Panic of 1893 dried up investments inFairhaven. The level of investment was notreplicated until private parties initiatedrestoration efforts in 1973.Bellingham – the smallest of the bay’ssettlements, began along the base ofSehome Hill at the Pattle coal claim.Although Bellingham proved to beinconsequential and transitory, the othercommunities chose the name when theydecided to overcome rivalry and merge intoa single town. In 1903, the towns ofWhatcom, Sehome, Bellingham, andFairhaven were consolidated into the City ofBellingham. Tideland areas were filled andthe Great Northern Railway constructedpassenger and freight depots in theWhatcom "Old Town" business district toservice the rapidly expanding city.23113548Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Blaine21 Blaine HistoricDistrictFerndale22 Ferndale HistoricDistrictLynden23 Lynden HistoricDistrictNumber of historical district sites1890’s - began as a fishing harbor populatedby fishermen hailing from Iceland and othernorthern regions.1870’s – began as a river and agriculturaltrading area populated by Dutch immigrantfarmers who settled the surrounding farmlands.1870’s – established as a logging camp,later attracted Dutch immigrant farmers whosettled and cultivated the rich soils in thelands surrounding the town.Total existing other historical sites of significance49Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

50Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

3.3 Regional (multi-use) parksRegional or multi-use parklands may be conserved in Whatcom County that providepublic access to significant environmental features. Generally, regional parks mayprovide access to significant salt and freshwater shorelines, woodlands, and scenicareas.To the extent possible and practical, regional parklands will be linked with otherpreserved open spaces (even though these lands may not be publicly accessible) tocreate greenway corridors and open space networks. These networks will visuallydefine and separate developed urban areas from each other and the surroundingrural landscapes in accordance with the objectives of the Washington State GrowthManagement Act (GMA).To the extent practical, regional parklands may also be traversed and linked by alltypes of trail corridors to increase access to and through significant and visuallyinteresting features.Regional park facilities may be developed that provide public use and enjoyment ofappropriate and capable portions of environmental conservancy sites throughoutWhatcom County. Water-oriented regional park activity improvements may providea distribution of swimming sites, fishing piers, docks, and boat launches.Where appropriate, regional park sites may also be improved with a variety ofoutdoor facilities including group and individual campsites, picnic facilities,playgrounds, and open grassy play areas. Supporting services may also bedeveloped including parking lots, restrooms, and utilities.Regional park activities may be located on independent properties or includeportions of other sites provided for environmental conservancies, trail corridors,recreational facilities or other public facilities. Regional park activities may also bedeveloped on other publicly-owned lands subject to public use agreements oreasements; or on lands acquired for other public purposes including stormwatermanagement detention and retention ponds, and wastewater treatment sites.VISIONAs described herein, the regional park vision will be realized through:• acquisition of regional parklands - that would otherwise be developed forother land uses;• provision of public access - and use of natural features which would not bepossible if the lands remained in private ownership; and• conservation for public access - and use of unique and available naturalfeatures that visually define and separate developing urban areas.Waterfront access points – fresh and saltwaterExisting waterfront access sites - freshwaterThe following sites provide access to regionally significant freshwater accesspoints in Whatcom County that provide or have been improved to provide fishingaccess, swimming, and boating activities.Freshwater access sitesWhatcom County Parks 141 Canyon LakeCommunity Forest2,266-acre conservancy site provides accessto 45 acres of water surface on Canyon Lakejointly owned with Western WashingtonUniversity.151Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

623435374796567316836591330453356465534832143143406952277121 2823 1920 2458 1563295442161817125062522646038226841 3966494116155514475710Waterfront access points – freshwaterExisting access1 Canyon Lake Cmty Forest 13 Terrell Creek Conservancy 25 Boulevard Park 37 Waterfront Park 49 Lake Samish2 Chuckanut Mountain Park 14 Nugents Corner River Access 26 Lake Padden Park 38 WWU – Alger Peat Bog 50 Squalicum Lake3 Deming Homestead-Eagle Park 15 Connecticut Street-End 27 Maritime Heritage Park 39 WWU – Lakewood 51 Cain Lake4 Dittrich-East Lake Samish Park 16 Donald Avenue Street-End 28 Northridge Park 40 WWU – Hannegan Envtl Cntr 52 Bug Lake5 Hovander Homestead/Tennant 17 Euclid Park 29 Whatcom Falls Park 41 WWU – Lakewood lease 53 Clay Pit Ponds6 Lake Whatcom Park North 18 George Street-End 30 Nooksack River – Harksell Rd 42 Silver Shores 54 Toad Lake Access7 Lake Whatcom Park South 19 Lake Whatcom Beach Site 31 Nooksack River – Guide Merdn 43 Lost Lake 55 Lake Whatcom Access8 Samish Park 20 St Clair Basin 32 Nooksack River – Nugents 44 Blue Canyon Park Road 56 Fish Hatchery – Nooksack Rvr9 Silver Lake Park 21 Sunset Pond Open Space 33 Nooksack River – Everson 45 Wizer Lake 57 Fish Hatchery – Brannian Crk10 South Fork Park 22 Interurban Greenway 34 Skallman Park 46 Lake Terrell Game Refuge 58 Fish Hatchery – Whatcom Crk11 Squires Lake Park 23 Klipsun Trail Greenway 35 Blaine Watershed 47 Silver Lake 59 Birch Bay State Park12 Sunnyside Landing 24 Bloedel Donovan Park 36 Riverside Park 48 Fazon Lake 60 Larrabee State Park

623435374796567316836591330453356465534832143143406952277121 2823 1920 2458 1563295442161817125062522646038226841 3966494116155514475710Waterfront access points – freshwater continuedExisting access Proposed access O existing site61 Beaver Creek Conservation 1 Canyon Lake Cmty Forest O proposed site62 Whatcom County Land Trust 7 Lake Whatcom South63 Scudder Pond 10 Nooksack River – South Fork64 Clark’s Point Open Space 67 Nooksack River – Lynden65 California Creek Access 68 Nooksack River – Everson66 Wildwood-Sudden Valley Resort 69 Nooksack River – Delta70 Misc - TBD71 Sash-N-Door72 Waterfront Revolving - TBD

Freshwater access sites2 Chuckanut999.8-acre Whatcom County landholdings1Mountain Park portion of the Chuckanut MountainRecreational area that includes 147.0-acrePine/Cedar Lakes Unit with access to WDFWowned 20-acres of water surface on 2 lakeswith 5,000 linear feet of shoreline fishingaccess.3 Deming33.0-acre conservancy property located1Homestead EagleParkalong the shoreline of the North Fork of theNooksack River accessed from Truck Road.4 Dittrich Park (East 33.0-acre park property (formerly known as 1Lake Samish) East Lake Samish Park) located on EastSamish Lake Drive on Lake Samish includes1,637 linear feet of shoreline along theeastern shore of the lake.5 Hovander333.4-acre conservancy, historic farmstead, 1HomesteadPark/Tennant LakeInterpretiveCenterand park property located on Nielson Roadon the Nooksack River adjacent to Ferndalecity limits. The property includes 11,450linear feet of shoreline on the east shoredike of the Nooksack River. The TennantLake conservancy area (former Neilsen Farm)has been improved with a 11,500 squarefoot boardwalk into the wetlands.6 Lake Whatcom 218.0-acre park property located on the1Park - North northeast shoreline of Lake Whatcom andaccessed from North Shore Drive includes10,991 linear feet of shoreline along theroute of the historic Bellingham Bay &Eastern Railroad (BBE) right-of-way (3.0-mileHertz Trail).7 Lake Whatcom 79.5-acre park property located on the1Park – South (HeggPark and Zobristand RichardsProperties)southeast shoreline of Lake Whatcomaccessed from South Bay Drive that includes6,142 linear feet of shoreline on LakeWhatcom.8 Samish Park 30.6-acre park property located on North1Lake Samish Drive on the north shoreline ofLake Samish provides 1,214 linear feet oflake shoreline that has been improved with aswimming beach, 1,272 square foot boatdock, 600 square foot fishing dock, 748square foot shop, boat and canoe rentals.9 Silver Lake Park 412.1-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and recreational park located on Silver Lakeand Black Mountain Roads on Silver Lakeeast of Sumas. The site provides 5,699linear feet of waterfront along the westshore of Silver Lake with a boat landing and110 South Fork Park(Acme, Overby,and Nesset Farms)swimming beach.3 farmsteads totaling 603-acres located onthe South Fork of the Nooksack River offMosquito Lake Road. East Acme Farmincludes 8,425 linear feet of river shoreline,Overby Farm property includes 7,146 linearfeet of river shoreline, and the Nesset Farmincludes 5,200 linear feet of river shoreline.154Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Freshwater access sites11 Squires Lake Park 84.2-acre park property located off Old1Highway 99 on Squires Lake on theWhatcom/Skagit County line includes a 10-acre lake with 3,300 linear feet of shoreline.12 Sunnyside Landing 6.2-acre park site located on the east shore 1of North Shore Drive with 830 linear feet ofshoreline on Lake Whatcom.13 Terrell CreekConservancy Area15.0-acre conservancy site located on TerrellCreek providing protection to Blue Heron114 Nugents CornerRiver Accessrookery.14.0-acre Public Works property providingwalk-in access to the Nooksack River locatedoff the Mount Baker Highway at Nugent’sBridge with 1,198 linear feet of shoreline.Bellingham 1515 Connecticut 0.5-acre street-end right-of-way with access 1Street-endto Lake Whatcom.16 Donald Avenue 0.5-acre street-end right-of-way access to1Street-endLake Whatcom.17 Euclid Park 18.6-acre conservancy site with trail and 700linear feet of shoreline located on LakeWhatcom with access from Lakeway Drive.The heavily wooded site includes a smallstream through the middle of the triangularproperty emptying into the lake.118 George Street-end 0.1-acre street-end right-of-way access toLake Whatcom.19 Lake Whatcom 1.8-acre site with Lake Whatcom accessBeach Sitelocated off Northshore Drive near BrittonRoad – owned by DNR.20 St Clair Basin 8.2-acre natural area with detention pondand wetlands used by Public Works forstormwater along Railroad Trail betweenKlipsun Trail and Barkley Boulevard.21 Sunset Pond OpenSpace22 InterurbanGreenway23 Klipsun TrailGreenway24 Bloedel DonovanPark21.5-acre wetland preserve with large pondand trails located on James Street.98.6-acre trail corridor and natural areaswith parking, picnic table, Interurban Trail,Clarita Moore Wayside Trail, Hoag Pond, andwetlands including lands between OldFairhaven Parkway and Lake Samish Road.17.5-acre trail corridor and natural area withpond located between subdivisions that laybetween Barkley Blvd. and Alabama Streetand east of Railroad Trail.18.8-acre multi-use park with swimmingarea, beach, and boat launch located on thewest shore of Lake Whatcom off ElectricAvenue.25 Boulevard Park 20.5-acre multi-use site with boat docklocated on Bellingham Bay off Bayview Drive.26 Lake Padden Park 832.0-acre multi-use park with ---acre lakewith fishing, swimming area, and nonmotorizedboat launch, located on SamishWay.27 Maritime HeritagePark11.2-acre multi-use park with fish hatchery,fishing area, and interpretive area located onWhatcom Creek between Holly and DuPontStreets.1111111111155Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Freshwater access sites28 Northridge Park 50.5-acre park site located off Barkley1Boulevard with a large pond.29 Whatcom Falls 251.0-acre multi-use park with fishing pond 1Parkand fish hatchery located on Whatcom Creekoff Woburn Street.Whatcom County Public Works 430 Nooksack River – Street-end access to the west bank of the1Harksell Road31 Nooskack River –Guide Meridian32 Nooksack River –Nugent’s CornerNooksack River north of Ferndale.Roadside access to the south bank of theNooksack River at Guide Meridian south ofLynden.Roadside access to the north bank of theNooksack River at Mt Baker Highway bridgenorth of Deming.33 Nooksack River - Roadside access to the south bank of the1EversonNooksack River at Everson Road Bridge.Blaine 234 Skallman Park 2.0-acre small woodland stand with fishpond located at the southern end of a 33.0acre parcel supporting the Blaine Airportand Public Works Yard.135 Blaine Watershed 200.0-acre wooded acreage at theheadwaters of Dakota Creek conserved forwater supply with fish hatchery tanksmaintained by Blaine School District.Everson 136 Riverside Park Multi-use park with access to the north bankof the Nooksack River at the Everson Roadbridge.1Sumas 137 Waterfront Park Multi-use park with access to Johnson Creeklocated between Third Street, SumasAvenue, Cherry Street/SR-9, and JohnsonCreek.1Western Washington University (WWU) 438 WWU – Alger Peat 13.5-acre wetland research site located a1Bogmile east of Alger on Barrel Springs Road.39 WWU – Lakewood 9.8-acre recreational facility located on thewest shore of Lake Whatcom managed bythe Associated Students with crew facility,boat, kayak, and canoe rental.140 WWU – HanneganEnvironmentalCenter41 WWU – Lakewoodlease23.2-acre interpretive facility located on thecorner of Hannegan and Bakerview Roadsproviding class and salmon restorationresearch space for environmental studies.Includes programs provided by theNooksack Salmon Enhancement Association– NSEA.0.6-acre 24,000 linear feet of shoreline andlakebed leased for research, instruction, andrecreational needs.WA Department of Natural Resource (DNR) 342 Silver Shores 1.0-acre natural area located on the north1end of Lake Whatcom.43 Lost Lake 160.0-acre school trust land section locatedbetween Wynn and Curtis Roads along westboundary of airport with extensivewoodlands and wetlands.11111156Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Freshwater access sites44 Blue Canyon, Park 215.0-acre school trust land located on the1Roadseast shore of Lake Whatcom at the end ofBlue Canyon Road and Park Road.WA Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) 1445 Wizer Lake Fishing and boat launch site located on the1north shore of Wizer Lake south of Lynden.46 Lake Terrell State Fishing and boat launch site located at the1Game Refuge end of Lake Terrell Road on the south shoreof Lake Terrell.47 Silver Lake Fishing and boat launch site located on the1north end of Silver Lake off Silver Lake Road.48 Fazon Lake Fishing and boat launch site located on the1south shore of Fazon Lake off Hemmi Road –access located across private property.49 Lake Samish Fishing and boat launch site located on east 1shore of Lake Samish off Cedar Acres Road.50 Squalicum Lake Fishing and boat launch site located on the1north shore of Squalicum Lake off SqualicumLake Road east of Bellingham.51 Cain Lake Fishing and boat launch site located on the1west shore of Cain Lake off Alger Drive.52 Bug Lake 9.8-acre natural area located on Squalicum1Park Way adjacent to I-5 with fishing access.53 Clay Pit Ponds 16.3-acre fishing site located near Tennant1Lake54 Toad Lake Access 8.8-acre fishing and boat launch site located 1on south shore of Toad Lake with accessfrom Toad Lake Road.55 Lake Whatcom Fishing and boat launch site located south1Accessshore of Lake Whatcom off South Bay Road.56 Fish Hatchery Hatchery located on the North Fork of the1Nooksack River near Kendall.57 Fish Hatchery Trout hatchery located on Brannian Creek1north of South Bay Drive.58 Fish Hatchery Hatchery located on Whatcom Creek inWhatcom Falls Park.1WA Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 259 Birch Bay StatePark160 Larrabee StatePark193.2-acre multi-use park located on BirchBay and Terrell Creek with 8,255 linear feetof saltwater and 14,923 linear feet offreshwater shoreline.2,683.0-acre multi-use park located offChuckanut Drive on Wildcat Coveoverlooking Chuckanut Bay and the San JuanIslands with 3,600 linear feet of saltwatershoreline, tidal pools, fishing access, andswimming beach.Whatcom County Land Trust 261 Stimpson Family 167.7-acre conservation site located near1Nature Reserve Sudden Valley.62 Whatcom Land 2.0-acre wooded natural area located on the 1Trustsouth bank of Dakota Creek.Private common ownership 263 Scudder Pond 5.0-acre wetland preservation area withinterpretive trail located on the westshoreline of Lake Whatcom adjacent toWhatcom Falls and Bloedel Donovan Parksoff Dakin Street.1157Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Freshwater access sites64 Clark’s Point Open 74.0-acre conservation easement for1Spaceextensive wetlands and natural area locatedon Chuckanut Bay.Private ownership 265 California Creek Privately owned shoreline access site located 1Accessalong the banks of California Creek at theconfluence with Drayton Harbor.66 Wildwood-Sudden Recreational vehicle campground located on 1Valley Resort the west shore of Lake Whatcom.Total existing access sites- freshwater 66Proposed access site acquisitions - freshwaterThe following sites with freshwater shoreline may be provided access througheasements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibilitystudies with public and private participants.Freshwater access sitesWhatcom County and other participants 71 Canyon LakeCommunity Forest7 Lake WhatcomSouth10 Nooksack River –South Fork/Acme67 Nooksack River –Lynden68 Nooksack River –Everson69 Nooksack RiverDelta Park –Ferndale-BellinghamIn association with the Whatcom Land Trust– acquire development rights along CanyonCreek Road corridor between Mosquito LakeRoad and Canyon Lake Community Forestand increase shoreline access.Acquire the missing trail segment along therailroad corridor and provide access to thelake shoreline.Acquire a trail easement on private and DNRproperties to link the East Acme and OverbyFarm Properties and increase riverfrontaccess.Acquire development rights to the northbank of the Nooksack River off River Road atFishtrap Creek and provide waterfrontaccess.Acquire development rights to the southbank of the Nooksack River off Abbot andNoon Road and provide shoreline access.Acquire and develop waterfront access sites,and shoreline and beach access trails at apark site on Marine Drive/Main Street.70 Misc In association with Public Works – developformal trailheads along county roads,bridges, and other access sites to theNooksack River.Bellingham 271 Sash-N-Door Freshwater access to be developed on thenorth shore of Whatcom Creek when Sash-N-Door site is redeveloped.172 WaterfrontRevolving FundFreshwater sites to be acquired (sites to bedetermined) to create greenway accesscorridors along the Squalicum, Whatcom,Padden, Connelly, and Chuckanut Creeks.Total proposed access sites - freshwater 9Existing waterfront access sites - saltwaterThe following sites provide access to regionally significant saltwater access pointsin Whatcom County that provide or have been improved to provide fishing access,swimming, and boating activities.1111111158Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Saltwater access sitesWhatcom County 101 Bayview Marine(Boulevard Park)1.4-acre waterfront property located onBellingham Bay in downtown Bellingham.The property is leased to Bellingham for awaterfront park connecting with Taylor12 Birch BayShorelineProperties3 Birch BayTidelands4 ChuckanutMountain Park5 Lighthouse MarinePark6 Little SqualicumBeach Properties7 Lummi IslandBeach Access8 Maple BeachTidelandsDock.11.4-acre collection of shoreline or nearshore properties located along Birch BayDrive at Cedar Avenue and Beach Way,Cottonwood Drive, Alderson Road, JacksonRoad, and along Terrell Creek. The variousparcels provide 909 linear feet of shorelinewith hand-carry boat access, picnic tables,restroom, and 0.2 miles of shoreline trailand services.A collection of tidelands located along BirchBay Drive providing saltwater shorelineaccess on Birch Bay. Major parcels includeproperties located north of CottonwoodDrive, north of the intersection ofHarborview and Birch Bay Drive, EvergreenLane south past Cedar Lane, and north ofAlderson Road.999.8-acre Whatcom County portion of theChuckanut Mountain Recreational Arealocated between Chuckanut Drive and OldSamish Highway. Teddy Bear Cove includes11.2 acres with 1,257 linear feet of shorelineon Chuckanut Bay accessed off ChuckanutDrive.20.5-acre multi-use park site located on thesouthwest point of Point Roberts on Marineand Edwards Drive with 2,320 linear feet ofshoreline on the Strait of Georgia. The siteprovides a 2-lane boat launch ramp with a140-foot long finger pier into the GeorgiaStrait for day use, and shoreline walks,kitchen shelter, observation tower, andpicnic areas.12.8-acre conservancy properties located inLittle Squalicum Creek ravine andBellingham Bay shoreline. The property islocated adjacent to the railroad spur to theTilbury Pier recently acquired for park use byBellingham. The site is currently leased toBellingham Parks for park development.0.2-acre park property located on NugentRoad providing overlook and trail access tothe Lummi Point shoreline on Hales Passage.Second class tidelands property with 2,000linear feet of shoreline located in PointRoberts on Bay View Drive on Boundary Bay.The property provides tidelands access forbeach walks, swimming, and shellfishing.9 Monument Park 6.9-acre undeveloped park and overlooklocated on the US/Canadian border on thenorthwest shoreline of Point Roberts onMarine Drive with 466 linear feet ofshoreline on the Strait of Georgia1111111159Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Saltwater access sites10 Semiahmoo Park 17.9-acre multi-use park property located on 1and Tidelands Semiahmoo Spit between Semiahmoo Bayand Drayton Harbor in Blaine. The propertyincludes 8,812 linear feet of shoreline andtidelands that provide access to extensiveclamming beds, picnicking, beachcombingareas, fishing and hand-carry boat access,and 1.5 mile paved multipurpose trail.Port of Bellingham 1111 Airport - Marine Overlook park with viewpoint and picnic.1Drive TrailThe park is located on Cliffside Drive underthe Airport’s Runway Protection Zone (RPZ).12 Blaine Harbor Blaine Harbor’s 100 acres of tide flats hasbeen filled with dredge materials to provideabout 50.0 acres of land improvements. Thesite includes a public fishing and crabbingpier and overlook with benches andlandscaping. The site also includes a 1.0mile harbor boardwalk, the Plover historicferry dock, Lost Sailors Memorial, 2 publicboat launch ramps, and shoreline trails.113 Fairhaven –Bellingham CruiseTerminal14 Fairhaven - MarinePark15 Fairhaven - PaddenCreek LagoonLaunch16 Squalicum - I&JWaterway Park17 Squalicum - InnerHarbor Promenade18 Squalicum - LittleSqualicum Beach19 Squalicum -Harbor BoatLaunch20 Squalicum – TomGlenn Commons21 Squalicum -Zuanich Point ParkTerminal provides passenger and vehicleloading from a single finger pier extendinginto the south end of Bellingham Bay fromHarris Avenue. Public crabbing is allowed offthe west side of the pier.2.7-acre multi-use park with viewpoint,grassy play area, picnic tables, picnicshelter, and restrooms located overlookingthe entry into Bellingham Bay at the end ofHarris Avenue.0.8-acre site with boat launch ramps locatedon the south end of Bellingham Bay withaccess across BNSF tracks from 5th Street.Potential shoreline access, overlook, andpicnic site on the end of I&J Waterway withaccess from Roeder Avenue and PeninsulaDrive.Trail with viewpoints, benches, andinterpretive signage adjacent to the innerharbor with access to moorage andcommercial developments.Potential shoreline trail corridor located onRoeder Avenue between the Port andCement Plant Pier adjoining city’s LittleSqualicum Creek Park.3.5-acre site with boat launch ramps locatedinside Squalicum Harbor with access fromRoeder Avenue and Bellwether Way.1.2-acre site with plaza, stage with soundsystem, and viewpoint located adjacent toBellwether Hotel on Squalicum Peninsula.10.7-acre waterfront park with transitorymoorage, lawn play area, artworks, picnictables and benches, playground, SqualicumBoathouse Community Facility, restrooms,and parking lot located on the entry point toSqualicum Harbor.11111111160Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Saltwater access sitesLummi Nation 622 Neptune Beach Undeveloped shoreline access located off1Sucia Drive at Neptune Beach with access toshorelines overlooking Georgia Strait, HalePassage, and Lummi Island.23 Sandy Point Shoreline access located at the end of Sucia 1Drive on Sandy Point with trails and parkingfacilities.24 Lummi Bay-Aqua Shoreline access located off Kwina Road at1Dikethe confluence of the Lummi River intoLummi Bay with trails and parking at theedge of the Lummi aquaculture facility.25 Lummi Beach Shoreline access located on Lummi View1Drive on Gooseberry Point with views ofLummi Island and Hale Passage.26 Portage Island Shoreline access located on the west shore1of Portage Island accessible by boat onlywith trail access to Portage Island beaches.27 Fish Point Park 2.0-acre shoreline access located off Lummi 1Shore Drive with trail access to a 1,750linear foot shoreline overlooking BellinghamBay and the confluence of the NooksackRiver.Bellingham 728 Chuckanut BayNorth24.8-acre natural area preserve with accessto Chuckanut Bay located off Chuckanut129 Chuckanut BaySouthDrive.18.0-acre natural area preserve with accessto Chuckanut Bay located off ChuckanutDrive.30 Chuckanut BayTidelands68.7-acre tidelands conservancy located onChuckanut Bay.31 Padden Lagoon 5.3-acre estuary with overlook andinterpretive signage located off HarrisAvenue.32 Boulevard Park 20.5-acre multi-use site with boat dock,boardwalk, open play area, picnic tables,building, restrooms, playground and parkingarea located on Bellingham Bay off BayviewDrive.33 Little SqualicumPark22.3-acre undeveloped park site with trailslocated at the mouth of the Little SqualicumCreek off Marine Drive. The propertyincludes 200 linear feet of sandy shorelineon the bay and a wide, flat creek ravine. Parkincludes some Port and County propertiesmanaged by the City.34 Old Colony Wharf 0.2-acre historic site of Old Colony Wharf – amajor landing for steamers and fishingboats.Blaine 335 SemiahmooTidelands1Tidelands located on the north and south ofSemiahmoo Spit and portions of the westshoreline Drayton Harbor to be dedicated forpublic use with the development ofSemiahmoo Resort and Uplands.36 Monfort Park 1.7-acre wooded natural area with DraytonHarbor shoreline, wetlands, 0.2 mile naturetrail, and bench.111111161Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Saltwater access sites37 Marine Park 8.6-acre waterfront park located across from 1Blaine Marina with shoreline on SemiahmooBay, 0.4 mile walking trails, bike route,picnic tables, picnic shelters, amphitheater,sculpture, play area, and restrooms.Western Washington University (WWU) 138 WWU – Chuckanut 0.7-acre leased site maintained for1Rockenvironmental studies with shoreline access.WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 1739 Birch Point Beach3722,930 linear feet of public tidelands locatednorth of Birch Point southwest of Blaine withaccess by boat only and an extensive lower140 Lummi IslandBeach 22441 Bumstead SpitBeach 22342 Bumstead SpitSouth Beach 223A43 Lummi IslandBeach 223B44 Smugglers CoveNorth Beach 221A45 Smugglers CovePoint Beach 22146 Devils Slide Beach220A47 Reil HarborBeach/LummiIsland NRCA48 Lummi IslandBeach 220beach, sandy flats, and claming potentials.2,805 linear feet of public tidelands locatedon the northeast side of Lummi Island offNugent Road adjacent to the old county ferrydock right-of-way with eelgrass and clamingbeds. The site is accessible by boat or byway of the county-owned ferry dock.2,574 linear feet of public tidelands withclam beds located on the east side of LummiIsland with access by boat only.1,188 linear feet of public tidelands withclam beds located on the east side of LummiIsland with access by boat only.1,104 linear feet of public tidelands withclam beds located on the east side of LummiIsland with access by boat only.4,812 linear feet of public tidelands locatedon the east side of Lummi Island with accessby boat only to a shoreline located below thebluffs.4,481 linear feet of public tidelands locatedon the east side of Lummi Island with accessby boat only to a shoreline located below thebluffs.3,188 linear feet of public tidelands locatedon the west side of Lummi Island nearLummi Rocks with access by boat only togravel pocket beaches, rock slides, andintertidal areas.Recreational site located in Reil Harbor onthe southeast side of Lummi Island NaturalResource Conservation Area (NRCA)overlooking Eliza Island with 2,125 linearfeet of shoreline with access by boat only.The site provides 5 campsites, picnic tables,restrooms, fire pits, and trail access todramatic views of Hale Passage.23,533 linear feet of public tidelandsencompasses the Reil Harbor Beach/LummiIsland Natural Resource Conservation Area(NRCA) with access to shoreline featuringgravel and rock beaches.49 Carter Point 2,500 linear feet of public tidelands locatedat the south end of Lummi Island adjacent tothe US Coast Guard lighthouse reserveproperty. The 30.0-acre site providesdramatic views of Hale Passage, BellinghamBay, and Eliza Island.111111111162Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Following is a list of other significant DNR tidelands holdings with shore and/orboat access opportunities:Saltwater access sites50 Chuckanut Rock 1,600 linear feet of public tidelands located 1around the complete circumference ofChuckanut Rock in Chuckanut Bay.51 Wildcat Cove 1,600 linear feet of public tidelands locatedin Wildcat Cove adjoining Larrabee StatePark.152 Nooksack River atMarietta53 Marine Drive atCliffside1,800 linear feet of public tidelands locatedon the east side of the east branch of theNooksack River confluence with BellinghamBay at Marietta with access from MarineDrive.5,000 linear feet of public tidelands locatedon Bellingham Bay south of Marine Drive andthe railroad tracks between Locust Avenueand Cliffside Drive under the BellinghamInternational Airport flight path with accessfrom Port of Bellingham’s Marine Drive Trail.54 Chuckanut Bay 4,500 linear feet of public tidelands locatedon Chuckanut Bay north from FragranceCreek outfall with access from ChuckanutDrive.55 Marine Drive atCliffside800 linear feet of public tidelands located onBellingham Bay west of West Cliffside Driveand adjacent meander tidelands.WA Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 256 Birch Bay StatePark157 Larrabee StatePark193.2-acre multi-use waterfront park onBirch Bay and Terrell Creek with 8,255 linearfeet of saltwater and 14,923 linear feet offreshwater shoreline. The park provides agravel boat ramp, comfort stations, and 2.2miles of hiking trails.2,683.0-acre multi-use state park located offChuckanut Drive on Wildcat Coveoverlooking Chuckanut Bay and the San JuanIslands. The 3,600 linear foot shorelineprovides tidal pools, fishing access,swimming beach, and walking trails onWildcat Cove. The site has been improvedwith 2 boat launching ramps.Federal 158 Eliza Island Federally-owned lighthouse reserve at thesouthern tip of this privately-owned islandallows public access to the tidelands anduplands for low intensity, recreational use.1Privately owned 1359 Clark’s Point OpenSpace South74.0-acre conservation easement forextensive wetlands and natural area located1on Chuckanut Bay.60 Maple Beach Privately owned shoreline access site locatedoff Bay Road on Point Roberts south of thepublic tidelands provides dramatic overlooksof Semiahmoo Bay.61 Lily Point Access Privately owned property located at thesouth end of Apa Road on Point Robertsprovides shoreline access overlookingSemiahmoo Bay and Blaine Harbor withtrails, parking, and picnic opportunities.111111163Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Saltwater access sites62 Birch Point Privately owned shoreline access located off 1Semiahmoo Drive and Birch Point Roadoverlooking Birch Bay and the Georgia Strait.63 Cherry Point Beach Privately owned shoreline access site located 1at the end of Henry Road on Cherry Beachprovides access to shoreline trails andviewpoints of Georgia Strait.64 Unick Road Access Privately owned shoreline access site located 1at the end of Unick Road north of NeptuneBeach provides access to shoreline trails andviewpoints of Georgia Strait.65 Point Migley Privately owned shoreline access site located 1on West Shore/Nugent Drive on Point Migleyon Lummi Island provides shoreline accesstrails and parking.66 Bellingham Yacht Leased property located in Inati Bay on the1Clubeast side of Lummi Island off Seacrest Drive.67 Lover’s Bluff Privately owned shoreline access site located 1off Legoe Bay Road on the west side ofLummi Island overlooking Legoe Bay.68 Bancroft RoadAccessPrivately owned shoreline access site locatedat the end of Bancroft Road at Mariettaoverlooking Bellingham Bay provides parking169 Locust RoadAccess70 Clark’s Point OpenSpaceand access to a shoreline trail.Privately owned shoreline access site locatedat the end of Locust Road overlookingBellingham Bay provides parking and accessto a shoreline trail.Privately owned shoreline access and openspace property located on Fieldstone Roadon Clarks Point overlooks Chuckanut andBellingham Bays with views of Lummi andthe San Juan Islands. The site providesaccess to the trail system paralleling theBNSF railroad tracks around Chuckanut Bay.71 Governor’s Point Privately owned shoreline access site locatedat the end of Pleasant Bay Road onGovernor's point on Chuckanut Bay providesparking, picnic, and shoreline trail facilities.Total existing launch sites - saltwater 71Proposed access site - saltwaterThe following sites with saltwater shoreline may be provided access througheasements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibilitystudies with public and private participants.Saltwater access sitesWhatcom County and other participants 610 Semiahmoo Spit –Blaine61 Lily Point – PointRobertsIn association with Blaine – acquiredevelopment rights to the spit propertylocated northeast of the existing park,Preserve the tidelands, extend the shorelinetrails, and develop a bird watching blind andinterpretive exhibit.In association with Point Roberts R&RD -acquire development rights to the parcellocated at the end of Seacliff Road anddevelop access and interpretive trails alongthe shoreline and upper bluff.1111164Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

67 Lovers Bluff –Lummi Island72 Point Whitehorn –Birch BaySaltwater access sitesIn association with the Lummi Island Land1Trust – acquire development rights to LoversBluff. Preserve the shoreline and provideaccess trails to the beach.In association with Northwest P&RD –1acquire development rights to the shorelineproperties located around the point.Preserve the tidelands and extend ashoreline trail between Cherry Point andBirch Bay.173 Cherry Point Acquire development rights to shorelineproperties located at the street ends atPowder Plant Road, Henry Road, andAldergrove Road. Preserve the shorelinesand develop access trails to the beach andbetween Cherry Point and Point Whitehorn.74 Portage Island In association with the Lummi Indian Nation– designate an appropriate access plan forthe island.Port of Bellingham 516 Squalicum – I&JWaterway Park175 Fairhaven –Bellingham Bay76 Squalicum – GPLagoon77 Squalicum –Cornwall AvenueSaltwater access and overlook to bedeveloped on the end of I&J Waterway withaccess from Roeder Avenue and BellwetherWay.Saltwater viewpoint to be provided toundeveloped park for a picnic facilitytrailhead located in the area betweenDouglas Avenue and Boulevard Park.Saltwater access to be provided at existingwastewater treatment lagoon on WhatcomWaterway for boating access.Saltwater access to be provided to street-endinto Bellingham Bay at the end of CornwallAvenue for fishing, swimming, and traillinkage.78 GP Plant Site Saltwater access to be provided in system ofshoreline boardwalks along Whatcom CreekWaterway and around the site.Bellingham 433 Little SqualicumPark ShorelinePort, county, and city properties to beconsolidated to create continuous shoreline179 Marine DriveAccess80 Squalicum –Tilbury CementPier81 WaterfrontRevolving Fundaccess to fishing and swimming beach.Saltwater access site to be acquired offMarine Drive north of Airport to publictidelands along Bellingham Bay.Saltwater access to be provide to recentlyacquired pier into Bellingham Bay withaccess from Marine Drive.Saltwater access sites to be acquired (sitesto be determined) along Bellingham Bay tocreate a continuous frontage from LittleSqualicum Creek to Marine Park.Total proposed access sites – saltwater 15Hand-carry craft launch sites – fresh and saltwaterExisting hand-carry launch sites - freshwaterThe following sites provide access to regionally significant freshwater hand-carrylaunch sites for kayak, canoe, and other hand-carry craft.1111111165Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

12,3710,353639622-3725663736422986023656752,6824 2740725 742641-4344-456646 47-48116979 8053,556,33 3416-21 76-781,3215 7513-143128-30,54,59,70438,507151561495857Waterfront access points – saltwaterExisting access1 Bayview Marine – Blvd Park 13 Fairhaven Terminal 25 Lummi Beach 37 Marine Park 49 Carter Point2 Birch Bay Shoreline 14 Fairhaven – Marine Park 26 Portage Island 38 WWU – Chuckanut Rock 50 Chuckanut Rock3 Birch Bay Tidelands 15 Fairhaven – Padden Lagoon 27 Fish Point Park 39 Birch Point Beach 372 51 Wildcat Cover4 Chuckanut Mtn County Park 16 Squalicum – I&J Waterway 28 Chuckanut Bay North 40 Lummi Island Beach 224 52 Nooksack River at Marietta5 Lighthouse Marine Park 17 Squalicum – Inner Harbor 29 Chuckanut Bay South 41 Bumstead Spit Beach 223 53 Marine Drive at Cliffside6 Little Squalicum Beach 18 Squalicum – Little Beach 30 Chuckanut Bay Tidelands 42 Burmstead Spit South 223A 54 Chuckanut Bay7 Lummi Island Beach Access 19 Squalicum – Harbor Launch 31 Padden Lagoon 43 Lummi Island Beach 223B 55 Marine Drive at Cliffside8 Maple Beach Tidelands 20 Squalicum – Tom Glenn 32 Boulevard Park 44 Smugglers Cove North 221A 56 Birch Bay State Park9 Monument Park 21 Squalicum – Zuanich Park 33 Little Squalicum Park 45 Smugglers Cove Point 221 57 Larrabee State Park10 Semiahmoo Park 22 Neptune Beach 34 Old Colony Wharf 46 Devils Slide Beach 220A 58 Eliza Island11 Airport – Marine Drive 23 Sandy Point 35 Semiahmoo Tidelands 47 Lummi Island NRCA 59 Clark’s Point Open Space12 Blaine Harbor 24 Lummi Bay – Aqua Dike 36 Monfort Park 48 Lummi Island Beach 220 60 Maple Beach

12,3710,353639622-3725663736422986023656752,6824 2740725 742641-4344-456646 47-48116979 8053,556,33 3416-21 76-781,3215 7513-143128-30,54,59,70438,507151561495857Waterfront access points – saltwater continuedExisting access Proposed saltwater access O existing site61 Lily Point Access 10 Semiahmoo Spit – Blaine 78 GP Plant Site O proposed site62 Birch Point 61 Lily Point – Pt Roberts 80 Marine Drive Access63 Cherry Point Beach 67 Lover’s Bluff 81 Squalicum – Tilbury Pier64 Unick Road Access 72 Point Whitehorn 82 Waterfront Revolving - TDB65 Point Migley 73 Cherry Point66 Bellingham Yacht Club 74 Portage Island67 Lover’s Bluff 16 Squalicum – I&J Waterway68 Bancroft Road Access 33 Little Squalicum Park69 Locust Road Access 75 Fairhaven70 Clark’s Point Open Space 76 Squalicum – GP Lagoon71 Governor’s Point 77 Squalicum – Cornwall Avenue

Freshwater hand-carry launch sitesWhatcom County 101 Canyon LakeCommunity Forest2,266.0-acre conservancy site providesaccess to 45 acres of water surface onCanyon Lake jointly owned with WesternWashington University with trailhead and12 DemingHomestead EaglePark3 Dittrich Park (EastLake Samish)4 HovanderHomesteadPark/Tennant LakeInterpretiveCenter5 Lake WhatcomPark - North6 Lake WhatcomPark – South (HeggPark and Zobristand RichardsProperties)launch site.33.0-acre conservancy property locatedalong the shoreline of the Middle Fork of theNooksack River accessed from Truck Roadwith trailhead and launch opportunities.33.0-acre park property (formerly known asEast Lake Samish Park) located on EastSamish Lake Drive on Lake Samish withshoreline suitable for launch site.333.4-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and park property located on Nielson Roadon the Nooksack River adjacent to Ferndalecity limits. The property includes the eastshore dike of the Nooksack River with launchsite.218.0-acre park property located on thenortheast shoreline of Lake Whatcom andaccessed from North Shore Drive includesshoreline with launch site opportunities.80.3-acre park property located on thesoutheast shoreline of Lake Whatcomaccessed from South Bay Drive includesshoreline on Lake Whatcom with launch siteopportunities.7 Samish Park 30.6-acre park property located on NorthLake Samish Drive on the north shoreline ofLake Samish provides shoreline that hasbeen improved with a swimming beach,1,272 square foot boat dock, 700 squarefoot fishing dock, 700 square foot shop,boat and canoe rentals.8 Silver Lake Park 412.1-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and recreational park located on Silver Lakeand Black Mountain Roads on Silver Lakeeast of Sumas with waterfront along thewest shore of Silver Lake with a boat landingand swimming beach.9 Sunnyside Landing 6.2-acre park site located on the east shoreof North Shore Drive with shoreline on LakeWhatcom and launch site opportunity.10 Nugents CornerRiver Access14.0-acre Public Works property providingwalk-in access to the Nooksack River locatedoff the Mount Baker Highway at Nugent’sBridge with launch site.Whatcom County Public Works 411 Nooksack River – Street-end access to the west bank of the1Harksell Road Nooksack River north of Ferndale.12 Nooskack River –Guide Meridian1Roadside access to the south bank of theNooksack River at Guide Meridian south ofLynden.11111111168Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

328113312243422142526131410235302819201618151723952132727331296Hand-carry launch sites - freshwaterExisting launch sites Proposed launch sites O existing site1 Canyon Lake Comty Forest 12 Nooksack River – Guide Merdn 23 WWU – Lakewood 6 Lake Whatcom South O proposed site2 Deming Homestead Eagle Park 13 Nooksack River – Nugents 24 Wizer Lake 33 Blue Canyon, Park Roads3 Dittrich-East Lake Samish Park 14 Nooksack River – Everson 25 Lake Terrell State Game 33 Nooksack River – Lynden4 Hovander Homestead 15 Connecticut Street-End 26 Fazon Lake 34 Nooksack River - Everson5 Lake Whatcom Park – North 16 Donald Avenue Street-End 27 Lake Samish 35 Nooksack River – Delta6 Lake Whatcom Park – South 17 Euclid Park 28 Squalicum Lake 36 Misc – TBD7 Samish Park 18 George Street-End 29 Cain Lake 17 Euclid Park8 Silver Lake Park 19 Lake Whatcom Beach 30 Toad Lake Access 20 Bloedel Donovan Park Crew9 Sunnyside Landing 20 Bloedel Donovan Park 31 Lake Whatcom Access10 Nugents Corner Access 21 Lake Padden Park 32 California Creek Access11 Nooksack River – Harksell Rd 22 Riverside Park

Freshwater hand-carry launch sites13 Nooksack River – Roadside access to the north bank of the1Nugent’s Corner Nooksack River at Mt Baker Highway bridgenorth of Deming.14 Nooksack River - Roadside access to the south bank of the1EversonNooksack River at Everson Road Bridge.Bellingham 715 Connecticut 0.5-acre street-end right-of-way with access 1Street-endto Lake Whatcom and launch opportunity.16 Donald Avenue 0.5-acre street-end right-of-way access to1Street-endLake Whatcom and launch opportunity.17 Euclid Park 18.6-acre conservancy site with trail and1shoreline located on Lake Whatcom withaccess from Lakeway Drive and launchopportunity.18 George Street-end 0.1-acre street-end right-of-way access to1Lake Whatcom with launch opportunity.19 Lake WhatcomBeach Site1.8-acre site with Lake Whatcom accesslocated off Northshore Drive near BrittonRoad – owned by DNR, with launch120 Bloedel DonovanParkopportunity.18.8-acre multi-use park with swimmingarea, beach, and boat launch located on thewest shore of Lake Whatcom off ElectricAvenue.21 Lake Padden Park 832.0-acre multi-use park with 152.0-acrelake with fishing, swimming area, and nonmotorizedboat launch, located on SamishWay.Everson 122 Riverside Park Multi-use park with access to the north bankof the Nooksack River at the Everson Roadbridge.1Western Washington University (WWU) 123 WWU – Lakewood 9.8-acre recreational facility located on thewest shore of Lake Whatcom managed bythe Associated Students with crew facility,boat, kayak, and canoe rental.1WA Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) 824 Wizer Lake Fishing and boat launch site located on the1north shore of Wizer Lake south of Lynden.25 Lake Terrell StateGame RefugeFishing and boat launch site located at theend of Lake Terrell Road on the south shore1of Lake Terrell.26 Fazon Lake Fishing and boat launch site located on thesouth shore of Fazon Lake off Hemmi Road –access provided across private property.27 Lake Samish Fishing and boat launch site located on theeast shore of Lake Samish off Cedar AcresRoad.28 Squalicum Lake Fishing and boat launch site located on thenorth shore of Squalicum Lake off SqualicumLake Road east of Bellingham.29 Cain Lake Fishing and boat launch site located on thewest shore of Cain Lake off Alger Drive.30 Toad Lake Access 8.8-acre fishing and boat launch site locatedon south shore of Toad Lake with accessfrom Toad Lake Road.111111170Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Freshwater hand-carry launch sites31 Lake Whatcom Fishing and boat launch site located on1Accesssouth shore of Lake Whatcom off South BayRoad.Private ownership 132 California Creek Privately owned shoreline access site located 1Accessalong the banks of California Creek at theconfluence with Drayton Harbor with launchopportunity.Total existing hand-carry launch sites - freshwater 32Proposed hand-carry launch site access acquisitions - freshwaterThe following sites may be provided access to regionally significant freshwaterhand-carry launch sites for kayak, canoe, and other hand-carry craft througheasements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibilitystudies with public and private participants.Freshwater hand-carry launch sitesWhatcom County and other participants 66 Lake WhatcomSouth33 Blue Canyon, ParkRoads34 Nooksack River –Lynden35 Nooksack River –Everson36 Nooksack RiverDelta Park –Ferndale-BellinghamIn association with Bellingham – acquire themissing link along the railroad corridor andprovide launch sites to the lake shorelinefrom Blue Canyon Road.215.0-acre school trust land located on theeast shore of Lake Whatcom at the end ofBlue Canyon, Park Roads with launchopportunity.Acquire development rights to the northbank of the Nooksack River off River Road atFishtrap Creek and provide launch site.Acquire development rights to the southbank of the Nooksack River off Abbot andNoon Road and provide launch site.Acquire and develop waterfront launch,access sites, and shoreline and beach accesstrails at a park site on Marine Drive/MainStreet.37 Misc In association with Public Works – developformal trailheads along county roads,bridges, and other access sites to theNooksack River.Bellingham 217 Euclid Park Hand-carry access to be developed into Lake 1Whatcom from Lakeway Drive.20 Bloedel DonovanParkCrew facility to be developed to create akayak and canoe center at the former1powerboat launch ramp.Total proposed hand-carry launch sites – freshwater 8Existing waterfront hand-carry launch sites - saltwaterThe following sites provide access to regionally significant saltwater hand-carrylaunch sites for kayak, canoe, and other hand-carry craft.Saltwater hand-carry launch sitesWhatcom County 71 Bayview Marine(Boulevard Park)1.4-acre waterfront property located onBellingham Bay in downtown Bellinghamleased to Bellingham for a waterfront parkconnecting with Taylor Dock with hand-carrylaunch capability.111111171Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

2 Birch BayShorelineProperties3 Birch BayTidelands4 Lighthouse MarinePark5 Maple BeachTidelandsSaltwater hand-carry launch sites6.7-acre shoreline or near shore properties1located along Birch Bay Drive at CedarAvenue and Beach Way, Cottonwood Drive,Alderson Road, Jackson Road, and alongTerrell Creek with hand-carry launchcapability.A collection of tidelands located along Birch 1Bay Drive and providing linear feet ofsaltwater shoreline on Birch Bay. Majorparcels include properties located north ofCottonwood Drive, north of the intersectionof Harborview and Birch Bay Drive, EvergreenLane south past Cedar Lane, and north ofAlderson Road with launch capability.20.5-acre multi-use park site located on the 1southwest point of Point Roberts on Marineand Edwards Drive with a 2-lane boat launchramp with a 140-foot long finger pier intothe Georgia Strait.Second class tidelands property with1shoreline located in Point Roberts on BayView Drive on Boundary Bay with launchcapability.16 Monument Park 6.9-acre undeveloped park site and overlooklocated on the US/Canadian border on thenorthwest shoreline of Point Roberts onMarine Drive on the Strait of Georgia withlaunch capability.7 Semiahmoo Parkand Tidelands17.9-acre multi-use park property located onSemiahmoo Spit between Semiahmoo Bayand Drayton Harbor in Blaine tidelands withhand-carry boat access.Port of Bellingham 78 Blaine Harbor 50.0 acres of land improvements includes 2public boat launch ramps with hand-carrylaunch access.19 Fairhaven – MarinePark10 Fairhaven - PaddenCreek LagoonLaunch11 Squalicum – I&JWaterway Park12 Squalicum - LittleSqualicum Beach13 Squalicum -Harbor BoatLaunch14 Squalicum -Zuanich Point Park2.7-acre multi-use park with viewpoint,grassy play area, picnic tables, picnicshelter, and restrooms located overlookingthe entry into Bellingham Bay at the end ofHarris Avenue with hand-carry capability.0.8-acre site with boat launch ramps locatedon the south end of Bellingham Bay withaccess across BNSF tracks from 5th Street.Potential shoreline launch site located on theend of I&J Waterway with access from RoederAvenue and Bellwether Way.Potential shoreline trail corridor located onRoeder Avenue between the Port andCement Plant Pier adjoining city’s LittleSqualicum Creek Park with access capability.3.5-acre site with boat launch ramps andhand-carry launch capability located insideSqualicum Harbor with access from RoederAvenue and Bellwether Way.10.7-acre waterfront park with transitorymoorage and hand-carry launch accesslocated on the entry point to SqualicumHarbor.111111172Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Saltwater hand-carry launch sitesLummi Nation 415 Sandy Point Shoreline access site located at the end of1Sucia Drive on Sandy Point with hand-carrycapability.16 Lummi Bay-Aqua Shoreline access site located off Kwina Road 1Dikeat the confluence of the Lummi River intoLummi Bay with hand-carry capability.17 Lummi Beach Shoreline access site located on Lummi View 1Drive on Gooseberry Point with hand-carryaccess.18 Fish Point Park 2.0-acre shoreline access site located off1Lummi Shore Drive with hand-carrycapability.Bellingham 319 Boulevard Park 20.5-acre multi-use site with boat dock andhand-carry launch located on Bellingham Bayoff Bayview Drive.120 Little SqualicumPark22.3-acre undeveloped park site located atthe mouth of the Little Squalicum Creek offMarine Drive on the bay with hand-carrycapability. Park includes some Port andCounty properties managed by the City.21 Old Colony Wharf 0.2-acre historic site of Old Colony Wharf – amajor landing for steamers and fishing boatswith hand-carry access.Blaine 122 Marine Park 8.6-acre waterfront park located across fromBlaine Marina with shoreline on SemiahmooBay and hand-carry access.1WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 123 Lummi IslandBeach 22412,805 linear feet of public tidelands locatedon the northeast side of Lummi Island offNugent Road adjacent to the old county ferrydock right-of-way with eelgrass and clambeds. The site is accessible by boat or byway of the county-owned ferry dock.WA Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 224 Birch Bay StatePark193.2-acre multi-use waterfront park onBirch Bay and Terrell Creek with a gravel125 Larrabee StateParkboat ramp, and hand-carry access.2,683.0-acre multi-use state park located offChuckanut Drive on Wildcat Coveoverlooking Chuckanut Bay and the San JuanIslands with 2 boat launching ramps andhand-carry access.Privately owned 726 Lily Point Access Privately owned property located at thesouth end of Apa Road on Point Roberts withhand-carry capability.127 Unick Road Access Privately owned shoreline access site locatedat the end of Unick Road north of NeptuneBeach with hand-carry capability.28 Point Migley Privately owned shoreline access site locatedon West Shore/Nugent Drive on Point Migleyon Lummi Island with hand-carry capability.29 Bellingham YachtClubPrivately owned property located in Inati Bayon the east side of Lummi Island off SeacrestDrive with hand-carry capability.11111173Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Saltwater hand-carry launch sites30 Bancroft Road Privately owned shoreline access site located 1Accessat the end of Bancroft Road at Mariettaoverlooking Bellingham Bay with hand-carrycapability.31 Locust Road Privately owned shoreline access site located 1Accessat the end of Locust Road overlookingBellingham Bay with hand-carry capability.32 Governor’s Point Privately owned shoreline access site located 1at the end of Pleasant Bay Road onGovernor's point on Chuckanut Bay withhand-carry capability.Total existing hand-carry launch sites - saltwater 32Proposed hand-carry access sites - saltwaterThe following sites with regionally significant saltwater hand-carry launch sitecapability for kayak, canoe, and other hand-carry craft may be provided accessthrough easements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriatefeasibility studies with public and private participants.Saltwater hand-carry launch sitesWhatcom County and other participants 333 Point Whitehorn –Birch BayIn association with Northwest P&RD –acquire development rights to the shorelineproperties located around the point anddevelop hand-carry access.34 Cherry Point Acquire development rights to shorelineproperties located at the street ends atPowder Plant Road, Henry Road, andAldergrove Road and develop hand-carryaccess.35 Lovers Bluff –Lummi IslandIn association with the Lummi Island LandTrust – acquire development rights to LoversBluff and develop hand-carry access.Port of Bellingham 611 Squalicum – I&JWaterway ParkHand-carry launch site to be developed atthe end of I&J Waterway with access from112 Squalicum – LittleSqualicum Beach37 Squalicum – GPLagoon38 Squalcium –Cornwall Avenue39 Squalicum – BPPlant SiteRoeder Avenue and Bellwether Way.Hand-carry launch site to be developed nextto mill at the end of Roeder Avenue.Hand-carry launch site to be developed intoWhatcom Waterway and/or BP Lagoon withaccess from F Street.Hand-carry launch site to be developed intoBellingham Bay from Cornwall Avenue.Hand-carry launch sites to be developedalong the Whatcom Waterway and aroundthe plant shoreline.Bellingham 421 Old Colony Wharf Hand-carry launch site to be developed intoWhatcom Waterway from Old Colony Wharfat C Street.140 Marine Drive Hand-carry launch site to be developed intoBellingham Bay from access site north ofAirport on Marine Drive.41 Citizens Dock –Central AvenueHand-carry launch site to be developed intoWhatcom Waterway from Central Avenue atold Citizens Dock landing.11111111174Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

8,2272-3332434271528161830 312040 4142 2111-14 37-392335171,191093665293242625Hand-carry launch sites - saltwaterExisting launch sites Proposed shoreline1 Bayview Marine/Blvd Park 12 Squalicum – Little Beach 23 Lummi Island Beach 224 11 Squalicum – I&J Waterway 41 Citizen’s Dock2 Birch Bay Shoreline 13 Squalicum – Boat Launch 24 Birch Bay State Park 12 Squalicum - Little Beach 42 Tilbury Pier3 Birch Bay Tidelands 14 Squalicum – Zuanich Park 25 Larrabee State Park 21 Old Colony Wharf4 Lighthouse Marine Park 15 Sandy Point 26 Lily Point Access 33 Point Whitehorn5 Maple Beach Tidelands 16 Lummi Bay – Aqua Dike 27 Unick Road Access 34 Cherry Point6 Monument Park 17 Lummi Beach 28 Point Migley 35 Lover’s Bluff7 Semiahmoo Park 18 Fish Point Park 29 Bellingham Yacht Club 36 Fairhaven – Industrial Park8 Blaine Harbor 19 Boulevard Park 30 Bancroft Road Access 37 Squalicum – GP Lagoon9 Fairhaven – Marine Park 20 Little Squalicum Park 31 Locust Road Access 38 Squalicum – Cornwall Avenue10 Fairhaven – Padden Lagoon 21 Old Colony Wharf 32 Governor’s Point 39 Squalicum – GP Plant Site O existing site11 Squalcium – I&J Waterway 22 Marine Park 40 Marine Drive O proposed site

Saltwater hand-carry launch sites42 Tilbury Pier Hand-carry launch site to be developed into 1Bellingham Bay from the pier site.Total proposed hand-carry launch sites – saltwater 13Boat launch ramps – fresh and saltwaterExisting powerboat launch ramps - freshwaterThe following sites provide access to regionally significant freshwater boat launchramps.Freshwater boat launch rampsWhatcom County 31 HovanderHomesteadPark/Tennant LakeInterpretiveCenter333.4-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and park property located on Nielson Roadon the Nooksack River adjacent to Ferndalecity limits on the east shore dike of theNooksack River with a boat ramp in thenorth corner of the property.2 Samish Park 30.6-acre multi-use park property located onNorth Lake Samish Drive on the northshoreline of Lake Samish with a 1,140square foot boat dock, 600 square footfishing dock, and 748 square foot shop,boat and canoe rentals.3 Silver Lake Park 412.1-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and recreational park located on Silver Lakeand Black Mountain Roads on Silver Lakeeast of Sumas with a boat launch ramp andlanding, and swimming beach.Bellingham 24 Bloedel DonovanPark118.8-acre multi-use park with swimmingarea, beach, and boat launch located on thewest shore of Lake Whatcom off ElectricAvenue.5 Lake Padden Park 832.0-acre multi-use park located on SamishWay with 152.0-acre lake and boat launchramps.WA Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) 36 Samish Lake Fishing and boat launch ramp located on1Accesseast shore of Lake Samish.7 Toad Lake Access 8.8-acre site with fishing and boat launchramp located on south shore of Toad Lakewith access from Toad Lake Road.18 Whatcom Lake Fishing and boat launch ramp located south 1Accessshore Lake Whatcom off South Bay Road.Private 19 Giles Pond 4.0-acre private pond used for water skiinglessons and competitions located on GilesRoad east of I-5.1Total boat launch ramps – freshwater 9Proposed boat launch ramps - freshwaterThe following sites with regionally significant freshwater boat launch rampcapability may be provided access through easements, land use agreements, oracquisitions subject to appropriate feasibility studies with public and privateparticipants.Freshwater boat launch rampsWhatcom County and other participants 71 HovanderHomestead –FerndaleExpand boat ramp and trailer parking on thenorth end of the park on the Nooksack River.1111176Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

10 Village Point –Lummi Island11 Fishtrap CreekPark – NooksackRiver – Lynden12 Nooksack RiverPark – Everson13 Lake WhatcomNorth –Bellingham14 Lake WhatcomSouth – SuddenValley15 Dittrich Park –East Lake SamishFreshwater boat launch rampsDevelop boat launch ramp near the original 1village site on Lego Bay Road.Acquire and develop boat launch ramp on a 1regional multi-use park site on River Road.Acquire and develop boat launch ramp on aregional multi-use park site on Abbot andNoon Roads.Develop a non-motorized boat ramp onNorth Shore Drive.Develop swimming beach, boat launch rampand dock on South Bay Drive. Develop asatellite hand-carry launch and campsite onthe southeast shoreline.Develop hand-carry launch site, swimmingbeach and access site on East Lake SamishDrive.Total proposed boat launch ramps – freshwater 7Existing boat launch ramps - saltwaterThe following sites provide access to regionally significant saltwater boat launchramps.Saltwater boat launch rampsWhatcom County 21 Lighthouse MarinePark20.5-acre multi-use park site located on thesouthwest point of Point Roberts on Marineand Edwards Drive on the Strait of Georgiawith a 2-lane boat launch ramp with a 140-foot long finger pier into the Georgia Straitfor day use.Port of Bellingham 52 Blaine Harbor 50.0 acres of land improvements includesmarine support and dry boat storage facility,2 public boat launch ramps, transient boatmoorage, pump-out, parking areas, andrestrooms.23 Fairhaven - PaddenCreek Lagoon BoatLaunch4 Squalicum -Harbor BoatLaunch0.8-acre boat launch ramp located on thesouth end of Bellingham Bay with accessacross BNSF tracks from 5th Street. Mooringbuoys are anchored off shore from May toOctober for transient boats. Launchingaccess is subject to tides and is affected bycontinued silting from Padden Creek.3.5-acre boat launch ramps located insideSqualicum Harbor with access from RoederAvenue and Bellwether Way.Lummi Nation 15 Sandy PointMarina1Marina located at the end of Sucia Drive onSandy Point provides wet moorage berthsand a boat launch ramp and hoist. The siteis under federal trust as part of the LummiIndian Reservation.Bellingham 16 Boulevard Park 20.5-acre multi-use park located onBellingham Bay off Bayview Drive with dayuseboat dock.07 Old Colony Wharf Historic boat landing located on WhatcomWaterway with floating platform.1111212077Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

9311 12174131052615814Boat launch ramps – freshwaterExisting ramps Proposed ramps O existing site1 Hovander Homestead 1 Hovander Homestead O proposed site2 Samish Park 10 Village Point3 Silver Lake Park 11 Nooksack River - Fishtrap Crk4 Bloedel Donovan Park 12 Nooksack River – Everson5 Lake Padden Park 13 Lake Whatcom Park – North6 Samish Lake Access 14 Lake Whatcom Park – South7 Toad Lake Access 15 Dittrich-East Samish Lake Park8 Whatcom Lake Access9 Giles Pond

29115158 413-146 712316110Boat launch ramps – saltwaterExisting ramps Proposed ramps O existing site1 Lighthouse Marine Park 1 Lighthouse Marine Park O proposed site2 Blaine Harbor 11 Cherry Point Park3 Fairhaven - Padden Lagoon 12 Village Point4 Squalicum – Harbor Launch 3 Fairhaven – Padden Lagoon5 Sandy Point Marina 4 Squalicum Harbor Boat Launch6 Boulevard Park 13 Squalicum – GP Lagoon7 Old Colony Wharf 14 Squalicum – Cornwall8 Tilbury Pier 15 Lummi Bay Marina9 Birch Bay State Park 16 Hale Passage East10 Larrabee State Park

Saltwater boat launch ramps8 Pacific Concrete – Recently acquired pier extending into1Tilbury Pier Bellingham Bay adjacent to Little SqualicumCreek with day-use boat landing.WA Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 39 Birch Bay StatePark193.2-acre multi-use waterfront park onBirch Bay and Terrell Creek with a gravel110 Larrabee StateParkboat ramp.2,780.0-acre multi-use state park located offChuckanut Drive on Wildcat Coveoverlooking Chuckanut Bay and the San JuanIslands with 2 boat launching ramps onWildcat Cove.Total existing boat launch ramps – saltwater 12Proposed boat launch ramps - saltwaterThe following sites with regionally significant saltwater boat launch ramp capabilitymay be provided access through easements, land use agreements, or acquisitionssubject to appropriate feasibility studies with public and private participants.Saltwater boat launch rampsWhatcom County and other participants 31 Lighthouse MarinePark – PointRoberts11 Cherry Point Park– Birch BayExpand property to allow reorganization ofboat ramp and event parking area.Acquire and develop boat launch ramps on aregional park site to be located at PowderPlant Road, Henry Road, or Aldergrove Road.Develop a boat launch ramp near theoriginal village site on Lego Bay Road.12 Village Point –Lummi Island1Port of Bellingham 03 Fairhaven – Silting problem and difficult railroad access -2Padden Creek may force closure of this site for powerboatLagoon Boat launch ramps – mooring buoys will remainLaunchviable.4 Squalicum HarborBoat Launch13 Squalicum – GPLagoon14 Squalicum –CornwallInner harbor marine congestion and trafficand parking overflow onto Bellwether Wayand Roeder Avenue may force relocation ofthis facility.Boat launch ramps to be developed intoWhatcom Waterway and/or GP Lagoon withaccess from F Street.Boat launch ramps to be developed intoBellingham Bay from the end of CornwallAvenue.Lummi Nation 215 Lummi Bay Marina Boat launch ramp may be developed into2Lummi Bay by the Lummi Nation.Port of Bellingham 216 Hale Passage East Boat launch ramp may be developed on theeast shore of Lummi Island by private parties– does not conform with land use plans.2Total proposed launch ramps – saltwater 7MarinasExisting marina wet and dry moorage slipsThe following sites provide regionally significant wet and dry moorage, transientmoorage, and boat launch hoist, and other services.202-22280Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Wet and dry moorage slipsPort of Bellingham 2,7031 Blaine Harbor Blaine Harbor’s 100 acres of tide flats has 863been filled with dredge materials to provideabout 50.0 acres of land improvements. Thesite includes a public fishing and crabbingpier and overlook with benches andlandscaping, commercial boat dockingterminal, commercial marine fisheriessupport and industrial area. The marinaincludes 113 commercial fishing boatberths, 629 pleasure boat slips, harbor retailand office use area, harbormaster office,lockers, and meeting room. The site alsoincludes a 1.0 mile harbor boardwalk, thePlover historic ferry dock, Lost SailorsMemorial, marine support and dry boatstorage facility, 2 public boat launch ramps,transient boat moorage, pump-out, parkingareas, and restrooms.2 Fairhaven –Bellingham CruiseTerminalTerminal provides passenger and vehicleloading from a single finger pier extendinginto the south end of Bellingham Bay fromHarris Avenue. The east side of the pierloads the Alaska Ferry, the west sidepassenger cruise ships including the Zodiac03 Squalicum –Marinaand Star of Victoria.1,800 wet moorage berths for recreationalboats and 40 transient slips in the inner andouter harbor areas with fuel and repairservices, pump-out stations, gatehouses,showers, and harbormaster administrativeoffices in Marina Square.1,840Lummi Nation 304 Sandy PointMarina30Marina located at the end of Sucia Drive onSandy Point provides 30 wet moorageberths. The site is under federal trust as partof the Lummi Indian Reservation. The LummiTribe does not plan on expanding.Private 1,6165 Point RobertsMarina9406 SemiahmooMarina7 Birch Bay VillageMarina8 Hilton HarborMarinaPrivately owned marina located in thesheltered inlet at the south end of PointRoberts provides 900 wet moorage berthsand 40 transient berths.Privately owned marina located on the southend of Semiahmoo Spit adjacent to ResortSemiahmoo provides 300 wet moorageberths, 10 dry moorage berths, and 10transient or visitor slips.Privately owned marina located in a dredgedinlet off Birch Bay adjacent to the Birch BayVillage resort development provides 150 wetmoorage berths and 6 transient slipsexclusively for local village property owners.Privately owned marina located on HiltonAvenue in the Lettered Streets marineindustrial park between I&J and WhatcomCreek Waterways provides upland drystorage for 200 vessels.Total existing wet and dry moorage slips 4,349320156200dry81Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

6171441338 9-1225MarinasExisting marinas Proposed marinas O existing site1 Blaine Harbor 9 Squalicum - I&J Waterway O proposed site2 Fairhaven – Terminal 10 Squalicum - GP Lagoon3 Squalicum Marina 11 Whatcom Creek Waterway4 Sandy Point Marina 12 Squalicum – GP Plant Site5 Point Roberts Marina 13 Lummi Bay Marina6 Semiahmoo Marina 14 East Sandy Point Marina7 Birch Bay Village Marina 5 Point Roberts Marina8 Hilton Harbor Marina 6 Semiahmoo Marina7 Birch Bay Village Marina8 Hilton Harbor Marina

Proposed marina wet and dry moorage slipsThe following sites with regionally significant wet and dry moorage, transientmoorage, and boat launch hoist, and other service capacity may be provided toappropriate feasibility studies with public and private participants.Wet and dry moorage slipsPort of Bellingham 2259 I&J Waterway The shoreline and Port-owned intertidal225mudflats along I&J Waterway could bedredged and protected with an 800 footrubblemound breakwater to provide wetmoorage berths for up to 225 vessels 27feet or longer. This proposal has not beendeveloped or submitted for review.10 GP Lagoon The lagoon could be redeveloped to providewet berths and dry storage off I&J orWhatcom Creek Waterways.unk11 Whatcom CreekWaterwayThe south bank of Whatcom Waterway couldbe redeveloped to provide moorage forlarger boats and transient craft.12 GP Site - Industrial The south side of Whatcom Waterway could unkMarinebe redeveloped to provide moorage.Lummi Nation 70013 Lummi Bay Marina Proposed marina site will be located inLummi Bay adjacent to the aquaculturecomplex. The proposed project will provide400 commercial berths reserved first for thetribe's purse seine and gillnet fishingvessels, and thereafter for other non-treatycommercial fishing. The project, which isundergoing environmental reviews, requiresthe dredging of a 7,300 linear foot longnavigation channel through ell grass habitat.40014 East Sandy PointMarinaPotential marina site located at the end ofSandy Point could be developed to provideup to 300 wet moorage berths. However, thesite does not conform to local land use andshoreline management plans.Private 1,3205 Point RobertsMarina2006 SemiahmooMarinaPrivately owned marina located in thesheltered inlet at the south end of PointRoberts could be expanded to provide anadditional 200 wet moorage berths or 1,140in total. However, the expansion would notconform to current local land use orshoreline management plans.Privately owned marina located on the southend of Semiahmoo Spit adjacent to ResortSemiahmoo could be expanded to providean additional 500 wet moorage berths and20 visitor slips or 840 in total. However,marina slips are provided primarily for theuse of summertime moorage customers whoreside in the adjoining Semiahmooresidential developments. Approximately85% of the slips are occupied during thewinter months. Marina operators do not planon expanding the facility until all existingberths have been sold.unk30052083Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

7 Birch Bay VillageMarina8 Hilton HarborMarinaWet and dry moorage slipsPrivately owned marina located in a dredged 150inlet off Birch Bay adjacent to the Birch BayVillage resort development provides 150 wetmoorage berths and 6 transient slips or 156in total exclusively for local village propertyowners. The marina could be expanded intoadjacent waters to provide 150 additionalwet moorage berths or 306 in total.However, the expansion would not conformto local land use or shoreline master plans.Privately owned marina located on Hilton 450Avenue in the Lettered Streets marinedryindustrial park between I&J and WhatcomCreek Waterways could be expanded toprovide a stacked storage structure capableof supporting an additional 450 vessels or650 in total. The upland expansion would notrequire shoreline management program orother agency reviews and approvals.Total proposed wet and dry moorage slips 2,245Day-use areasExisting day-use facilitiesThe following sites provide regionally significant day-use facilities with picnic andgroup use areas, lodges, retreat and conference centers.Day-use facility square footageWhatcom County 20,8321 HovanderHomesteadPark/Tennant LakeInterpretiveCenter2 Lighthouse MarineParkConservancy, historic farmstead, and parkproperty located on Nielson Road on theNooksack River adjacent to Ferndale citylimits. Site improvements include a 2,000square foot open picnic shelter, 112 squarefoot restroom building, 324 square footoffice and visitor information building.20.5-acre multi-use park site located on thesouthwest point of Point Roberts on MarineDrive. The park provides a combination3,262 square foot covered picnic shelter,group day-use picnic area, and camp.3 Samish Park Park property located on North Lake SamishDrive on the north shoreline of Lake Samishsouth of Bellingham. The park has beenimproved with a 1,995 square foot day-uselodge with a food service area, meetingroom, and outdoor decks.4 Silver Lake Park 412.1-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and recreational park located on Silver Lakeand Black Mountain Roads on Silver Lakeeast of Sumas. The active park area includesa 6,700 square foot building housing aconcession area and kitchen, meeting room,restrooms, office, apartment, and 3-bedroom overnight lodge. Attached to thebuilding is a 2,700 square foot outdoordeck. The active area also includes a 3,025square foot picnic shelter. An equestriancamp in the northern portion of the park hastwo 675 square foot covered kitchenshelters. The group camp area has a 1,500square foot kitchen shelter.2,0003,2621,99512,57584Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

12 1413417 18151617118519629103212022Day-use areasExisting day-use areas Proposed day-use areas O existing site1 Hovander Homestead 10 Lake Padden Park 1 Hovander Homestead O proposed site2 Lighthouse Marine Park 11 Whatcom Falls Park 16 Cherry Point Park3 Samish Park 12 Marine Park 17 Nooksack River – Lynden4 Silver Lake Park 13 Waterfront Park 18 Nooksack River – Everson5 Ted Edwards Park 14 Peach Arch Heritage Area 19 Lake Whatcom Park – North6 Fairhaven – Marine Park 15 Birch Bay State Park 20 Lake Whatcom Park – South7 Squalicum – Zuanich Park 21 Dittrich-East Lake Samish Park8 Bloedel Donovan Park 22 Nooksack River – South Fork9 Fairhaven Park

Day-use facility square footage5 Ted Edwards Park Park property located off Oriental Avenue 1,000and Lakeway Drive adjacent Bellingham citylimits (formerly known as Truax Park). Thesite has been improved with picnic tablesand a 1,000 square foot river rock shelterbuilding.Port of Bellingham 3,4006 Fairhaven - MarineParkViewpoint, grassy play area, picnic tables,1,400 square foot picnic shelter, andrestrooms located overlooking the entry into1,4007 Squalicum -Zuanich Point ParkBellingham Bay at the end of Harris Avenue.Waterfront park with transitory moorage,lawn play area, artworks, picnic tables andbenches, playground, Zuanich Park 2,000square foot community facility, restrooms,and parking lot located on the entry point toSqualicum Harbor.2,000Bellingham 12,8288 Bloedel DonovanPark5,700Swimming area, beach, boat launch, openplay area, 5,000 square foot communitybuilding, and parking area located on thewest shore of Lake Whatcom off ElectricAvenue. The 700 square foot Pavilion seats50 with kitchen service.9 Fairhaven Park Mowed field with picnic tables, 2 picnicshelters, rose garden, and parking arealocated off Chuckanut Drive. Fairhaven’s1,000 square foot Pavilion seats 60 with fullkitchen services. Large 984 square footpicnic shelter seats 64 with utilities andrestrooms, small 400 square foot shelterseats 32 with water services only.10 Lake Padden Park 152.0-acre lake, trails and parking arealocated on Samish Way. 960 square footplayground shelter seats 48 with waterservices, 640 square foot Rotary shelterseats 32 with no services.11 Whatcom FallsParkFishing pond, picnic tables, 2 picnic shelters,fish hatchery, historic stone bridge, trails,and parking area located on Whatcom Creekoff Woburn Street. Large 1,344 square footpicnic shelter seats 72 with utilities, small800 square foot shelter seats 24 with waterand electric services only.3,3841,6002,144Blaine 1,20012 Marine Park Waterfront park located across from BlaineMarina with shoreline on Semiahmoo Baywith 6 picnic tables, two 600 square footpicnic shelters, amphitheater w/stage,sculpture, play area, and restrooms.1,200Sumas 1,20013 Waterfront Park Grassy play area, two 600 square foot picnicshelters, picnic tables, and restrooms withaccess to Johnson Creek located betweenThird Street, Sumas Avenue, CherryStreet/SR-9, and Johnson Creek.1,20086Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Day-use facility square footageWA Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 8,00014 Peace ArchHeritage Area20.0-acre international facility extendingacross US/Canadian border with Peace Archmonument, grassy play field, one 4,000square foot group kitchen shelter, two 800square foot picnic shelters, 100 picnictables, benches, walking path, formalgardens and overlooks, 2 restrooms, and 0.95,60015 Birch Bay StateParkmiles of trail.193.2-acre multi-use waterfront park onBirch Bay and Terrell Creek providing 194picnic tables and stoves and three 800square foot picnic shelters.2,400Total existing day-use facility square footage 47,460Proposed day-use facilitiesThe following sites have regionally significant facility potential for day-use picnicand group use areas, lodges, retreat and conference centers that may be providedto appropriate feasibility studies with public and private participants.Day-use facility square footageWhatcom County1 HovanderHomestead –Ferndale16 Cherry Point Park– Birch Bay17 Fishtrap CreekPark – NooksackRiver – Lynden18 Nooksack RiverPark – Everson19 Lake WhatcomNorth –Bellingham20 Lake WhatcomSouth – SuddenValley21 Dittrich Park –East Lake Samish22 Nooksack RiverPark – South Fork– AcmeDevelop a special event parking andmultipurpose activity area with picnicshelters between the woodlands and thefloodplain in the middle of the site.Acquire and develop multi-use regional parksite at Powder Plant Road, Henry Road, orAldergrove Road and develop group picnicfacilities, multipurpose area, and lodge withmeeting facilities.Acquire and develop a multi-use regionalpark on River Road to provide group picnicfacilities, multipurpose area, and lodge withmeeting facilities.Acquire and develop a multi-use regionalpark on Abbot and Noon Roads to providegroup picnic facilities, multipurpose area,and lodge with meeting facilities.In association with Bellingham, developgroup picnic facilities and lodge withmeeting facilities on North Shore Drive.Develop group picnic facilities and lodgewith meeting rooms on South Bay Drive.Develop a satellite handcarry launch andcampsite on the southeast shoreline.Develop group picnic facilities andmultipurpose area on East Lake SamishDrive.Acquire and develop a multi-use regionalpark on Mosquito Lake Road to providegroup picnic facilities and multipurposearea.Total proposed day-use facility square footageTbd = to be determinedTbdTbdTbdTbdTbdTbdTbdTbdTbdTbd87Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

CampgroundsExisting campground facilitiesThe following sites provide regionally significant campground facilities with dayusepicnic and group use areas, tent and recreational vehicle campsites, yurts andcabins, day-use lodges, retreat and conference centers.Campsites and cabinsWhatcom County154 campsites1 ChuckanutMountain Park2 Lighthouse MarinePark999.8-acre Whatcom County portion of theChuckanut Mountain Recreational arealocated between Chuckanut Drive and OldSamish Highway. County land providesaccess to DFW Pine/Cedar Lakes Unit of147.0 acres on the 2 lakes with fishingaccess, primitive campsites, and 2.0 miles ofhiking trails.20.5-acre multi-use park site located on thesouthwest point of Point Roberts on Marineand Edwards Drive with 2,320 linear feet ofshoreline on the Strait of Georgia. The parkhas 25 recreational vehicle campsites and acombination group camp and picnic area.3 Silver Lake Park 412.1-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and recreational park located on Silver Lakeand Black Mountain Roads on Silver Lakeeast of Sumas. The active area includes 6lakeside rental cabins totaling 2,350 squarefeet. Camping is provided in 3 separateareas of the park and includes the main 65-site recreational vehicle campground with 35improved sites with electricity and water, a200-square foot bunkhouse, shower, andrestroom buildings, and sanitary dumpstation. An equestrian camp in the northernportion of the park has 28 improvedcampsites, and 2 horse stables totaling7,000 square feet. The group camp area haswater and electrical hookups for 30 units.6 cabins6251236 cabinWA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 54 Reil HarborBeach/LummiIsland NaturalResourceConservation Area(NRCA)Recreational site located in Reil Harbor onthe southeast side of Lummi Island NaturalResource Conservation Area (NRCA)overlooking Eliza Island with access by boatonly. The site provides 5 campsites, picnictables, restrooms, fire pits, and trail accessto dramatic views of Hale Passage with5gravel beaches and overhanging bluffs.WA Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 2925 Birch Bay State207Park6 Larrabee StatePark193.2-acre multi-use waterfront park onBirch Bay and Terrell Creek providing 147standard campsites, 20 trailer hook-up sites,40 person primitive group camp, a dumpstation, and showers. The site also provides194 picnic tables and stoves, 3 picnicshelters, a gravel boat ramp, comfortstations, 408 parking spaces, 8 fire rings, 7restrooms, and 2.2 miles of hiking trails.2,683.0-acre multi-use state park located offChuckanut Drive on Wildcat Coveoverlooking Samish Bay and the San JuanIslands. The park provides overnight8588Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

38 111091671751415131241181926CampgroundsExisting campgrounds Proposed campgrounds O existing site1 Chuckanut Mountain Park 9 Plaza Park RV 2 Lighthouse Marine Park O proposed site2 Lighthouse Marine Park 10 Beachside RV Park 14 Cherry Point Park3 Silver Lake Park 11 Seabreeze RV Park 15 Hovander Homestead4 Lummi Island NRCA 12 Wildwood – Sudden Valley Rsrt 16 Nooksack River – Lynden5 Birch Bay State Park 13 Bellingham RV Park 17 Nooksack River – Everson6 Larrabee State Park 18 Lake Whatcom Park – South7 Lynden KOA 19 Nooksack River – South Fork8 Thousand Trails/NACO West

Larrabee StatePark - continuedCampsites and cabinscamping, saltwater and freshwater access,and miles of hiking trails. The park has trailsto hike and bicycle on, a boat launch ramp,numerous picnic sites with tables andbraziers, 85 campsites (26 with utility hookups),a dump station, showers, and restroomservices.Private7 Lynden KOA -acre commercial campground facilitylocated north of Lynden providing tent andrecreational vehicle campsites with hookups,support facilities, store, and swim pool.8 Thousand Trails &NACO West5.0-acre commercial campground facilitylocated on Harbor View Drive north ofAnderson Road providing tent andrecreational vehicle campsites with hookups,support facilities, store, and swim pool.9 Plaza Park RV 3.0-acre commercial campground located onBirch Bay-Lynden Road east of Harbor ViewDrive providing recreational vehiclecampsites with hook-ups and facilities.10 Beachside RV Park 2.0-acre commercial campground facilitylocated on Birch Bay Road providing tent andrecreational vehicle campsites with hookups,support facilities, and picnic area.11 Seabreeze RV Park 2.0-acre commercial campground facilitylocated on Anderson Road providingrecreational vehicle campsites with hookups,support facilities, clubroom with pingpong, grassy play area with volleyball,lockers, and showers.12 Wildwood -Sudden ValleyResortRecreational vehicle campground located onLake Whatcom.13 Bellingham RVParkRecreational vehicle campground located onBennett Drive.Total existing campsites and cabins 457Proposed campground facilitiesThe following sites have regionally significant campground facility potential forday-use picnic and group use areas, tent and recreational vehicle campsites, yurtsand cabins, day-use lodges, retreat and conference centers that may be provided toappropriate feasibility studies with public and private participants.Campsites and cabinsWhatcom County2 Lighthouse MarinePark – PointRobers14 Cherry Point Park– Birch BayExpand property to allow reorganization ofboat ramp and event parking area, andenlargement of tent and RV campground.Acquire and develop multi-use regional parksite at Powder Plant Road, Henry Road, orAldergrove Road and develop boat ramps,shoreline access sites, beach trails, tent andRV campgrounds, group picnic facilities andcampsite, multipurpose area, and lodge withmeeting facilities.TbdTbdTbd90Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Campsites and cabins15 HovanderExpand boat ramp parking and develop a RV TbdHomestead –Ferndalecampground on the north end. Develop aspecial event parking and multipurposeactivity area with picnic shelters between thewoodlands and the floodplain in the middleof the site.16 Fishtrap Creek Acquire and develop a multi-use regional TbdPark – NooksackRiver – Lyndenpark on River Road to provide hand-carryboat launch, waterfront access sites,woodland and waterfront access trails, tentand RV campgrounds, group picnic facilitiesand campsite, multipurpose area, and lodgewith meeting facilities.17 Nooksack River Acquire and develop a multi-use regional TbdPark – Everson park on Abbot and Noon Roads to providehand-carry boat launch, waterfront accesssites, woodland and waterfront access trails,tent and RV campgrounds, group picnicfacilities and campsite, multipurpose area,and lodge with meeting facilities.18 Lake Whatcom Develop swimming beach, boat ramp and TbdSouth – SuddenValleydock, swimming beach and access site,woodland and waterfront access trails,trailhead for lakeshore trail, group picnicfacilities, and lodge with meeting facilitieson South Bay Drive. Develop a satellitehandcarry launch and campsite on thesoutheast shoreline.19 Nooksack River Acquire and develop a multi-use regional TbdPark – South Fork– Acmepark on Mosquito Lake Road to providewaterfront access site, waterfront andwoodland access trails, group picnicfacilities, and multipurpose area.Total proposed additional campsites and cabinsTbdTbd = to be determined91Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

92Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

3.4 Water trailsA water access system will be developed for hand-carry boat activities. The watertrails will provide access to salt and freshwater bodies that are not readilyaccessible or suitable for powerboats or other larger watercraft.Where possible, water trailheads will be located to coincide with and use other trailcorridors, resource conservancies, and other park and recreational facility servicesincluding parking lots, restrooms, and utilities. When provided on separate sites,water trailheads may be improved with launch ramps or landings, picnic tables,parking lots, restrooms, and other services.Water trail enthusiasts working in conjunction with public agencies and otherprivate water trail interest groups identified most of the routes proposed in thisplan. Future water trail development projects will use the same cooperative, jointventure approach to formally designate and improve launch sites and trailheadsand/or to develop new launch sites, rest stops, and other water trail services.VISIONAs described, the water trail vision may increase and promote public access:• to the area's significant fresh and saltwater resources - particularly for car-topboating enthusiasts,• to scenic natural areas and features of interest that cannot be accessed fromother trail systems,• for boating enthusiasts of all skill levels, and• for extended boating duration including the possibility of overnight trips.Freshwater trail – Lake WhatcomExisting freshwater trailheadsA freshwater trail system will be developed to provide day-use and overnightkayak, canoe, dory, and other hand-carry watercraft trail excursions around thecomplete Lake Whatcom shoreline. The following sites provide access, launch sites,boat launch ramps, docks, and landings that support the lake trail system.Freshwater trailheadsWhatcom County 01 Lake WhatcomPark - North2 Lake WhatcomPark – South (HeggPark, Zobrist-RichardsProperties)218.0-acre park property located on thenortheast shoreline of Lake Whatcom andaccessed from North Shore Drive – largelyundeveloped.80.3-acre park property located on thesoutheast shoreline of Lake Whatcomaccessed from South Bay Drive –undeveloped.Bellingham 13 Bloedel DonovanPark118.8-acre multi-use park with swimmingarea, beach, and boat launch located on thewest shore of Lake Whatcom off ElectricAvenue – heavily used.Western Washington University (WWU) 14 WWU – Lakewood 9.8-acre recreational facility located on thewest shore of Lake Whatcom managed bythe Associated Students with crew facility,boat, kayak, and canoe rental – heavily used.1Total existing trailheads – freshwater 2Proposed trailhead improvementsThe following sites will be developed to provide access and launch sites, and insome cases, boat launch ramps, docks, and landings, and camping to support thelake trail system.0093Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

2119221817231615201036879451121114213Water trails - freshwaterLake Whatcom Nooksack River O existing siteExisting trailheads Existing access Existing trailheads Existing access O proposed site1 Lake Whatcom Park – North 5 Sunnyside Landing 15 Nugent’s Corner River Access 21 Nooksack River – Harksell Rd2 Lake Whatcom Park – South 6 Connecticut Street-End 16 Hovander Homestead 22 Nooksack River – Guide Merdn3 Bloedel Donovan Park 7 Donald Avenue Street-End 17 Riverside Park 23 Nooksack River - Everson4 WWU – Lakewood 8 Euclid Park Proposed trailheads Proposed accessProposed trailheads 9 George Street-End 15 Nugent’s Corner River Access 24 Misc - TBD1 Lake Whatcom Park – North 10 Lake Whatcom Beach Site 16 Hovander Homestead2 Lake Whatcom Park – South 11 Lake Whatcom Access 18 Nooksack River – Everson3 Bloedel Donovan Park 12 Wildwood-Sudden Valley Rsrt 19 Nooksack River – LyndenProposed access 20 Nooksack River - Delta13 Lake Whatcom South14 Blue Canyon, Park Roads

Freshwater trailheadsWhatcom County 21 Lake WhatcomPark - NorthDevelop boat launch ramps, pier, and dockwith kayak and canoe facility and rentals to12 Lake WhatcomPark – South (HeggPark and Zobristand RichardsProperties)access the east shoreline.Develop boat launch ramps, pier, and dockwith kayak and canoe facility and rentals toaccess the south shoreline. Considerdeveloping a satellite boat camping site onthe southeast corner of the property awayfrom other park activities.Bellingham -3 Bloedel Donovan Develop crew facility for kayaks and canoes-Parkadjacent to the powerboat launch ramp.Total proposed trailheads 2Existing freshwater trail access sitesThe following sites provide designated and informal freshwater trail access aroundthe Whatcom Lake shoreline in support of a lake trail system.Freshwater trail access sitesWhatcom County 15 Sunnyside Landing 6.2-acre park site located on the east shore 1of North Shore Drive.Bellingham 56 Connecticut 0.5-acre street-end right-of-way to Lake1Street-endWhatcom.7 Donald Avenue 05.-acre street-end right-of-way to Lake1Street-endWhatcom.8 Euclid Park 18.6-acre conservancy site located on Lake1Whatcom with access from Lakeway Drive .9 George Street-end 0.1-acre right-of-way to Lake Whatcom. 110 Lake Whatcom 1.8-acre site with Lake Whatcom access1Beach Sitelocated off Northshore Drive near BrittonRoad – owned by DNR.WA Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) 111 Lake Whatcom Fishing and boat launch site located south1Accessshore of Lake Whatcom off South Bay Road.Private 112 Wildwood-Sudden Recreational vehicle campground located on 1Valley Resort Lake Whatcom for private user launches.Total existing freshwater trail access sites 8Proposed freshwater trail access sitesThe following sites may be acquired, designated, and improved to provide watertrail access for kayak, canoe, and other hand-carry craft through easements, landuse agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibility studies withpublic and private participants.Freshwater trail access sitesWhatcom County 113 Lake WhatcomSouthIn association with Bellingham – acquire themissing link along the railroad corridor andprovide additional launch sites to the lakeshoreline from Blue Canyon Road.WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 114 Blue Canyon/ParkRoads1215.0-acre school trust land located on theeast shore of Lake Whatcom at the end ofBlue Canyon/Park Roads – develop additionallaunch sites to the east lake shoreline.Total proposed freshwater trail access sites 21195Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Freshwater trail – Nooksack RiverExisting freshwater trailheadsA water trail system will be developed to provide day-use and overnight kayak,canoe, dory, and other hand-carry watercraft along the complete navigable lengthof the North, Middle, and South Forks of the Nooksack River. The following sitesprovide access, launch sites, boat launch ramps, and landings.Freshwater trailhead opportunitiesWhatcom County 215 Nugent’s CornerRiver Access16 HovanderHomesteadPark/Tennant LakeInterpretiveCenter14.0-acre Public Works property providingwalk-in access to the Nooksack River locatedoff Mount Baker Highway at Nugent’s Bridgewith launch site.333.4-acre conservancy, historic farmstead,and park property located on Neilson Roadon the Nooksack River adjacent to Ferndalecity limits on the east shore dike of theNooksack River with boat launch site.Everson 117 Riverside Park Multi-use park with access to the north bankof the Nooksack River located at the EversonRoad bridge.1Total existing freshwater trailheads 3Proposed freshwater trailhead improvementsThe following sites will be developed to provide access and launch sites, and insome cases, boat launch ramps, docks, and landings, and camping througheasements, land use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibilitystudies with public and private participants.Freshwater trailhead opportunitiesWhatcom County 315 Nugent’s CornerRiver Access16 HovanderHomesteadPark/Tennant LakeInterpretiveCenter18 Nooksack River –Everson19 Nooksack River –Lynden20 Nooksack RiverDelta Park –FerndaleDevelop hand-carry access and launch site,expand boat ramps, and develop tent andrecreational vehicle campsites.Expand boat ramps and launch site anddevelop campsites at the north end of thepark across from Lynden’s Pioneer Park.Develop a footbridge across the river toPioneer Park to access the south bank.Acquire and develop hand-carry launch andboat ramps, and develop campsites on thesouth bank of the Nooksack River off Abbotand Noon Road.Acquire and develop hand-carry launch andboat ramps, and develop campsites on thenorth bank of the Nooksack River off RiverRoad at Fishtrap Creek.Acquire and develop hand-carry launch andboat ramps, and develop campsites at a parksite on Marine Drive/Main Street.Total proposed freshwater trailheads 3Existing freshwater trail access sitesThe following sites provide designated and informal water trail access to theNooksack water trail.Freshwater trail access sitesWhatcom County Public Works 321 Nooksack River –Harksell RoadStreet-end access to the west bank of theNooksack River north of Ferndale.11--111196Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Freshwater trail access sites22 Nooskack River – Roadside access to the south bank of the1Guide Meridian Nooksack River at Guide Meridian.23 Nooksack River – Roadside access to the south bank of the1EversonNooksack River at Everson Road Bridge.Total freshwater trail access sites 3Proposed freshwater trail access sitesThe following sites may be acquired, designated, and improved to provide watertrail access for kayak, canoe, and other hand-carry craft through easements, landuse agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibility studies withpublic and private participants.Freshwater trail access sitesWhatcom County 124 Misc In association with Public Works – develop1formal trailheads along county roads,bridges, and other access sites to theNooksack River.Total proposed freshwater trail access sites 1Saltwater trail – Cascade Marine TrailExisting saltwater trailheadsA saltwater trail system will be developed to provide day-use and overnight handcarrywatercraft camping along the complete shoreline of Drayton Harbor,Semiahmoo, Birch, Lummi, Bellingham, and Chuckanut Bays. The saltwater trail willcompliment the Cascade Marine Trail that currently extends through Puget Soundfrom Vancouver to Olympia. The following sites provide launch sites, boat launchramps, and landings along the Cascade Marine Trail.Saltwater trailhead opportunitiesWhatcom County 11 Lighthouse MarinePark2 Semiahmoo Parkand Tidelands20.5-acre multi-use park site located on thesouthwest point of Point Roberts on Marineand Edwards Drive on the Strait of Georgia.The site provides a 2-lane boat launch rampwith a 140-foot long finger pier into theGeorgia Strait. The park has a camp andpicnic area on the shoreline that can be usedfor primitive pull-in.17.9-acre multi-use park property located onSemiahmoo Spit in Blaine with hand-carryboat access.Port of Bellingham 03 Squalicum – LittleSqualicum Beach022.3-acre park site located at the mouth ofthe Little Squalicum Creek off Marine Driveon Roeder Avenue between the Port andTilbury Pier adjoining Bellingham’s LittleSqualicum Creek Park with access capability.Lummi Nation 04 Sandy Point Shoreline access site located at the end ofSucia Drive on Sandy Point with hand-carrycapability – undeveloped.05 Lummi Beach Shoreline access site located on Lummi ViewDrive on Gooseberry Point with hand-carryaccess – undeveloped.Bellingham 06 Tilbury CementPier0Recently acquired pier and upland cementplant property located north of LittleSqualicum Beach – undeveloped forrecreational uses.10097Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

7,17214-1538911313212 133339429342352582435366344 20-2241-43,45 262740 191828163713010Water trails - saltwaterExisting trailheads Proposed trailheads Proposed access1 Lighthouse Marine Park 2 Semiahmoo Park 14 Birch Bay Shoreline 26 Old Colony Wharf 38 Point Whitehorn2 Semiahmoo Park 11 Cherry Point 15 Birch Bay Tidelands 27 Boulevard Park 39 Lover’s Bluff3 Little Squalicum Beach 3 Little Squalicum Beach 16 Teddy Bear Cove 28 Chuckanut Bay 20 Squalicum – I&J Waterway4 Sandy Point 4 Sandy Point 17 Blaine Harbor 29 Lummi Island Beach 224 26 Old Colony Wharf5 Lummi Beach 5 Lummi Beach 18 Fairhaven – Marine Park 30 Lily Point Access 40 Fairhaven – Industrial Park6 Tilbury Pier 6 Tilbury Pier 19 Fairhaven – Padden Lagoon 31 Cherry Point Beach 41 Squalicum – GP Lagoon7 Marine Park 7 Marine Park 20 Squalicum – I&J Waterway 32 Unick Road Access 42 Squalcium – Cornwall Avenue8 Lummi Island NRCA Existing access 21 Squalicum – Harbor Launch 33 Point Migley 43 Squalicum – GP Plant Site9 Birch Bay State Park 12 Monument Park 22 Squalicum – Zuanich Park 34 Inati Yacht Club 44 Marine Drive10 Larrabee State Park 13 Maple Beach Tidelands 23 Lummi Bay – Aqua Dike 35 Bancroft Road Access 45 Citizen’s Dock – Central Ave24 Fish Point Park 36 Locust Road Access O existing site25 Portage Island 37 Governor’s Point O proposed site

Saltwater trailhead opportunitiesBlaine 17 Marine Park 8.6-acre waterfront park located across from 1Blaine Marina with shoreline on SemiahmooBay and hand-carry access.WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 18 Reil HarborBeach/LummiIsland (NRCA)Recreation facility located in Reil Harbor onthe southeast side of Lummi Island NaturalResource Conservation Area (NRCA)overlooking Eliza Island with access by boatonly. The site provides 5 campsites, picnictables, restrooms, and fire pits.1WA Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 29 Birch Bay StatePark110 Larrabee StatePark193.2-acre multi-use waterfront park onBirch Bay and Terrell Creek with gravel boatramp, and hand-carry access. The parkprovides 147 standard campsites, 20 trailerhook-up sites, a 40-person primitive groupcamp, a dump station, and showers.2,780.0-acre multi-use state park located offChuckanut Drive on Wildcat Coveoverlooking Chuckanut Bay and the San JuanIslands with 2 boat launch ramps, and handcarryaccess. The site has been improvedwith 90 campsites (26 with utility hookups),dump station, showers, and restroomservices.Total saltwater trailheads 4Proposed saltwater trailhead improvementsThe following sites will be developed to provide access, launch sites, boat launchramps, docks, and landings, and camping along the Cascade Marine Trail.Saltwater trailhead opportunitiesWhatcom County 22 Semiahmoo Parkand Tidelands11 Cherry Point Park– Birch BayDesignate an overnight campsite for badweather pull-in adjacent to the buildingcomplex at the southwest end of the park.Acquire and develop boat ramps, shorelineaccess sites, beach trails, tent and RVcampgrounds, group picnic facilities andcampsite on a regional park site at PowderPlant Road, Henry Road, or Aldergrove Road.Lummi Nation 24 Sandy Point Develop an overnight campsite for badweather pull-in at the end of Sucia Drive onSandy Point.15 Lummi Beach Develop an overnight campsite for badweather pull-in on Lummi View Drive onGooseberry Point.Bellingham 16 Tilbury CementPier1Develop an overnight campsite adjacent tothe pier landing located north of LittleSqualicum Beach.111199Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Saltwater trailhead opportunitiesBlaine 17 Marine Park Designate an overnight campsite for bad1weather pull-in along the west end of thewaterfront park adjacent to old water tank.Total proposed saltwater trailheads 7Existing saltwater trail access sitesThe following sites provide designated and informal saltwater trail access alongthe Cascade Marine Trail.Saltwater trail access sitesWhatcom County 512 Monument Park 6.9-acre undeveloped park site and overlook 1located on the US/Canadian border on thenorthwest shoreline of Point Roberts onMarine Drive.13 Maple BeachTidelandsSecond class tidelands property located inPoint Roberts on Bay View Drive on Boundary114 Birch BayShorelineProperties15 Birch BayTidelandsBay with launch capability.6.7-acre collection of shoreline propertieslocated along Birch Bay Drive at CedarAvenue and Beach Way, Cottonwood Drive,Alderson Road, Jackson Road, and alongTerrell Creek with hand-carry launchcapability.A collection of tidelands located along BirchBay Drive north of Cottonwood Drive, northof the intersection of Harborview and BirchBay Drive, Evergreen Lane south past CedarLane, and north of Alderson Road withlaunch capability.16 Teddy Bear Cove 9.5-acre site includes shoreline onChuckanut Bay accessed off Chuckanut Drivewith launch capability.Port of Bellingham 617 Blaine Harbor Blaine Harbor’s 50.0 acres of landimprovements includes 2 public boat launchramps with hand-carry launch access.118 Fairhaven – MarinePark19 Fairhaven - BoatLaunch20 Squalicum – I&JWaterway Park21 Squalicum -Harbor BoatLaunch22 Squalicum -Zuanich Point Park2.7-acre multi-use park overlooking theentry into Bellingham Bay at the end ofHarris Avenue with hand-carry launchcapability.0.8-acre site with boat launch ramps locatedon the south end of Bellingham Bay withaccess across BNSF tracks from 5th Street.Potential shoreline launch access on the endof I&J Waterway with access from RoederAvenue and Bellwether Way.3.5-acre site with boat launch ramps andhand-carry launch capability located insideSqualicum Harbor with access from RoederAvenue and Bellwether Way.10.7-acre waterfront park with visitormoorage and hand-carry launch accesslocated on the entry point to SqualicumHarbor.Lummi Nation 323 Lummi Bay-AquaDike1Shoreline access site located off Kwina Roadat the confluence of the Lummi River intoLummi Bay with hand-carry capability.11111111100Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Saltwater trail access site24 Fish Point Park 2.0-acre shoreline access site located off1Lummi Shore Drive with hand-carrycapability.25 Portage Island Shoreline access site located on the west1shore of Portage Island accessible by boatonly with trail access to Portage Islandbeaches.Bellingham 326 Old Colony Wharf 0.2-acre historic site of Old Colony Wharf – a 1major landing for steamers and fishing boatswith hand-carry access.27 Boulevard Park 20.5-acre multi-use site with boat dock and1hand-carry launch located on Bellingham Bayoff Bayview Boulevard.28 Chuckanut BayNorth, South, andTidelands111.5-acre natural area preserves andtidelands located on Chuckanut Bay withaccess from Chuckanut Drive and hand-carrylaunch capability.1WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) 129 Lummi IslandBeach 2241Public tidelands located on the northeastside of Lummi Island off Nugent Roadadjacent to the old county ferry dock rightof-waywith eelgrass and claming beds. Thesite is accessible by boat or by way of thecounty-owned ferry dock access right-of-way.Privately owned 830 Lily Point Access Privately owned property located at thesouth end of Apa Road on Point Robertsprovides shoreline access overlookingSemiahmoo Bay and Blaine Harbor withhand-carry capability.131 Cherry Point Beach Privately owned shoreline access site locatedat the end of Henry Road on Cherry Beachwith hand-carry capability.32 Unick Road Access Privately owned shoreline access site locatedat the end of Unick Road north of NeptuneBeach with hand-carry capability.33 Point Migley Privately owned shoreline access site locatedon West Shore/Nugent Drive on Point Migleyon Lummi Island with hand-carry capability.34 Inati Bay YachtClub35 Bancroft RoadAccess36 Locust RoadAccessPrivately owned property located in Inati Bayon the east side of Lummi Island off SeacrestDrive with hand-carry capability.Privately owned shoreline access site locatedat the end of Bancroft Road at Marietta inBellingham Bay with hand-carry capability.Privately owned shoreline access site locatedat the end of Locust Road overlookingBellingham Bay with hand-carry capability.37 Governor’s Point Privately owned shoreline access site locatedat the end of Pleasant Bay Road onGovernor's point on Chuckanut Bay withhand-carry capability.Total existing saltwater trail access sites 26Proposed saltwater trail access sitesThe following sites may be acquired, designated, and improved to provide watertrail access for kayak, canoe, and other hand-carry craft through easements, land1111111101Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

use agreements, or acquisitions subject to appropriate feasibility studies withpublic and private participants.Saltwater trail access sitesWhatcom County 238 Point Whitehorn –Birch Bay39 Lovers Bluff –Lummi IslandIn association with Northwest P&RD –acquire development rights to the shorelineproperties located around the point anddesignate hand-carry access.In association with the Lummi Island LandTrust – acquire development rights to LoversBluff and designate hand-carry access.Port of Bellingham 520 Squalicum – I&JWaterway ParkDevelop hand-carry launch at the end of I&JWaterway with access from Roeder Avenue140 Fairhaven – BoatLaunch41 Squalicum – GPLagoon42 Squalcium –Cornwall Avenue43 Squalicum – GPPlant Siteand Bellwether Way.Improve hand-carry launch into BellinghamBay.Develop hand-carry launch into WhatcomWaterway and/or BP Lagoon with accessfrom F Street.Develop hand-carry launch into BellinghamBay from Cornwall Avenue.Develop hand-carry launch along theWhatcom Waterway and around the plantshoreline.Bellingham 326 Old Colony Wharf Develop hand-carry launch into Whatcom1Waterway from Old Colony Wharf at C Street.44 Marine Drive Develop hand-carry launch into BellinghamBay from access site north of Airport onMarine Drive.145 Citizens Dock –Central AvenueDevelop hand-carry launch site intoWhatcom Waterway from Central Avenue atold Citizens Dock landing.Total proposed saltwater trail access sites 101111111102Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

3.5 Multipurpose trailsMultipurpose trails may be developed to link major environmental assets, park andrecreational facilities, community centers, and historical features in WhatcomCounty. Generally, multipurpose trails may be developed to provide for severalmodes of recreational and commuters use where appropriate.To the extent possible, multipurpose trails may be developed within corridorsseparate from vehicular or other motorized forms of transportation. For example,multipurpose trails may be located on utility easements or in separate propertyalignments. In some instances, the trail may be developed as improvements withinthe right-of-way of established vehicular or other transportation corridors.Typically, multipurpose trails may be developed to Washington State Departmentof Transportation (WSDOT) and American Association of State Highway &Transportation Officials (AASHTO) trail standards. The trails may be concrete,asphalt or very fine crushed rock base, handicap accessible and usable by all ageand skill groups.Trail corridors may be improved with trailhead services including rest stops,parking lots, restrooms, water, and air utilities. Where the trail is located inassociation with another park and recreational improvement or public facility, thetrailhead may be improved with active picnic, playgrounds, and play areas.Multipurpose trail corridors may be independent properties or include portions ofother sites provided for resource conservancies, resource activities, athleticfacilities, and other park and recreational or public facility properties. Linked withresource conservancies and resource activities, the multipurpose trails elementplans may create a system of interconnected greenways to integrate and define thedeveloped portions of the urban area in accordance with the Growth ManagementAct's (GMA) provisions for urban separators.Multipurpose trail corridors may be developed on other publicly-owned lands usingpublic use agreements or special easements; or on lands owned as portions ofroad and highway right-of-way, stream corridor conservation or buffer zones ofindependent title.VISIONAs described, the multipurpose trails vision may be realized by providingrecreational trail opportunities that:• conserve natural features,• define urban identities,• link community facilities,• serve persons with varied physical abilities and skills, and• promote commuter and other more functional transportation methods.Multipurpose trails – countywide systemExisting multipurpose trailsThe following multipurpose trail systems have been developed to providecombined hike, bike, and some horse trail opportunities across the county onformer railroad, logging road, and other established corridors. (Trails onWashington State Department of Fish & Wildlife (DFW) properties are subject toseasonal closures due to user and wildlife recreational use conflicts.)Multipurpose trail milesWhatcom County 30.81 Bay to Baker Trail -Maple Falls-GlacierROW SegmentMultipurpose gravel trail in 41.6-acrehistoric Bellingham Bay & British Columbia(BB&BC) Railroad corridor extending fromMaple Falls east of Glacier Creek. The7.0103Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

262414273251813192028211531629101133011-122117932237226317458Multipurpose trailsExisting trails Proposed trails1 Bay to Baker – Maple Falls 11 Railroad Trail 1 Bay to Baker – linkage 23 Lake Whatcom/Chuckanut 29 Silver Creek-Cordata-Spring2 Nooksack River – Hovander 12 Railroad Trail – South 3 Coast Millennium – linkage 24 BNSF Rail Trail – Blaine 30 Toad Creek Trail3 Coast Millennium – Semiahmoo 13 Whatcom Creek Trail 7 Lake Whatcom – Blue Canyon 25 BNSF Rail Trail – Cherry Pt 31 Lookout Mtn Trail4 Interurban – Chuckanut Mtn 14 Blaine/Lynden Trail 26 Semiahmoo-Drayton Harbor 32 Samish Hill-Lake Padden5 Chuckanut Mtn – Hemlock 15 Sandy Point 27 BNSF Spur Trail6 Chuckanut Mtn – Lost Lake 16 Bellingham Bay 28 Mtn View Trail7 Lake Whatcom – Hertz 17 Lummi Island 1 Bay to Baker – Bellingham8 Lake Whatcom/Samish 18 Nooksack – Delta-Everson 2 Interurban – Bellingham1 Bay to Baker – Bellingham 19 Nooksack – Goshen-Deming 9 South Bay Trail4 Interurban – Bellingham 20 Nooksack – North Fork 10 North Bay Trail9 South Bay Trail 21 Nooksack – Middle Fork 11 Railroad Trail – North Segment __ existing trails10 North Bay Trail 22 Nooksack – South Fork 13 Whatcom Creek Trail ---- proposed trails

Multipurpose trail milesBay to Baker Trail -continuedundeveloped railroad bed adjoins severalspur segments including a restroom buildingand parking lot in Glacier.2 Nooksack River – Multipurpose gravel trail on top of the dike 2.2Hovander DikeTrail Segmentalong the east bank of the Nooksack Riverbetween Hovander Homestead and SlaterRoad with trailhead in Hovander Park.3 Coast Millennium Multipurpose asphalt trail along the inner 0.8Trail - SemiahmooSpit SegmentDrayton Harbor shoreline from SemiahmooResort to the west end of the park withtrailheads at the building complex andresort.4 Interurban Trail – Multipurpose gravel trail in former5.9Chuckanut MtnSegmentInterurban Electric Railway corridor fromChuckanut Bay to Larrabee State Park with atrailhead at Larrabee State Park.5 ChuckanutMultipurpose dirt trail across the Chuckanut 3.5Mountain -Hemlock TrailSegmentMountain Trail system from Chuckanut Drivesoutheast and around Pine/Cedar Lakes tothe Old Samish Road trailhead.6 ChuckanutMultipurpose dirt trail through the heart of 4.6Mountain - NorthLost Lake TrailSegmentthe Chuckanut Mountain trail system fromChuckanut Drive/Hemlock Trail south toLost Lake and Chuckanut Drive at ClaytonBeach trailhead.7 Lake Whatcom - Multipurpose gravel trail in historic3.1Hertz TrailSegmentBellingham Bay & Easton (BB&E) railroadcorridor on old Blue Canyon mine railroadgrade along the east shores of LakeWhatcom from North Shore Drive and LakeWhatcom County Park South trailhead.8 LakeMultipurpose gravel trail on old Camp Road 3.7Whatcom/SamishTrail – SquiresLake Segment2 railroad grade from the trailhead on OldHighway 99 around Squires Lake and BeaverPond.Bellingham 12.11 Bay to Baker Trail– BellinghamSegmentMultipurpose gravel trail in historicBellingham Bay & British Columbia (BB&BC)corridor extending from Squalicum Parkwayto Northwest Avenue with trailheads at LittleSqualicum Park, Bellingham Technical1.34 Interurban Trail –BellinghamsegmentCollege, and Birchwood Park.Multipurpose paved trail along formerInterurban Electric Railway track fromLarrabee State Park to Fairhaven withtrailheads at Larrabee State Park, ArroyoPark, Fairhaven Park, and Fairhaven Square.9 South Bay Trail Multipurpose gravel trail from FairhavenTown Square to Railroad Avenue along thehistoric BB&BC railroad track with trailheadsat Fairhaven Square, Boulevard Park, andRailroad Avenue with interpretive signageand scenic views of Bellingham Bay.10 North Bay Trail Multipurpose paved trail along RoederAvenue and Marine Drive from WhatcomCreek Waterway to Little Squalicum Parkwith connections to Squalicum HarborBoardwalks.1.42.01.8105Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Multipurpose trail miles11 Railroad Trail Multipurpose gravel trail from Sunnyland2.0Memorial Park to Bloedel Donovan Park informer Bellingham Bay & Easton (BB&E)railroad corridor with trailheads atSunnyland Memorial Park, Fever CreekNature Area, Whatcom Falls Park, andBloedel Donovan Park.12 Railroad Trail –South SegmentMultipurpose paved trail in BB&E railroadcorridor from York to Kentucky Street with atrailhead at Whatcom Creek and Railroad1.013 Whatcom CreekTrail – Lower andUpperAvenue.Multipurpose paved and gravel trail alongWhatcom Creek from Maritime HeritageCenter to Railroad Avenue with a trailhead atMaritime Heritage Park. Gravel hiking trailcontinues along Whatcom Creek from RacineSteet to Woburn and Whatcom Falls Parkwith trailheads in Whatcom Falls Park.Total existing multipurpose trails 42.9Proposed multipurpose trailsThe following multipurpose trail system may be developed to provide combinedhike, bike, and some horse trail opportunities across the county subject tofeasibility studies with appropriate public and private participants. The trailsgenerally follow railroad, river dike, utility right-of-way, and public roadcorridors, but may be relocated onto public and/or private property whereowners approve.Multipurpose trail milesWhatcom County 153.41 Bay to Baker Trail– Bellingham-Maples FallsSegment3 Coast MillenniumTrailDevelop multipurpose trail from the end ofthe Bay to Baker Trail segment in Bellinghamnorth on the historic BB&BC railroad corridoracross Everson-Goshen Road and Smith Roadto Goshen. From Goshen, continue north tothe Everson-Goshen Bridge in Everson and aconnection with the Nooksack River Trail.From Everson, continue north across BadgerRoad into Sumas. From Sumas, continue eastacross the Sumas River and past HaystackHill to Kendall. From Kendall, continueeastto the North Fork of the Nooksack Riverand a connection with the existing trail atMaple Falls. Designate trailheads at Everson-Goshen Road, Everson-Goshen Bridge andRiverside Park in Everson, Howard BowneMemorial Park & Rodeo Grounds in Sumas,South Pass Road, Kendall, and Maple Falls.Develop a trailhead at the proposedNooksack River multi-use park in Goshen.Complete multipurpose gravel and asphalttrail from the end of Semiahmoo Spit southto Birch Bay on Semiahmoo Drive Trail andShintaffer Road, then south on Birch BayDrive to Birch Bay State Park. From Birch BayState Park, continue south on PointWhitehorn Road, then east on Alder GroveRoad to Kickerville Road, then south onRainbow Road to Lake Terrell Road and theState Game Refuge. From the State Game2.628.023.0106Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Multipurpose trail milesCoast MillenniumTrail - continuedRefuge, continue south on Lake Terrell Roadto North Red River Road to Haton Way, thensouth on Lummi Shore Drive to Marine Driveand Marietta. From Marietta, continue southon Marine Drive to Little Squalicum Park.Designate trailheads at Semiahmoo Spit,Brich Bay Road, Birch Bay State Park, LakeTerrell State Game Refuge, Marietta, andLittle Squalicum Park.7 Lake Whatcom Complete development of the multipurpose 3.0Trail – BlueCanyon RoadSegmentLake Whatcom Trail on historic BB&E railroadcorridor from Hertz Trail at the end of LakeWhatcom County Park North along therailroad corridor to Wickersham. Designatetrailheads at Blue Canyon, Lake WhatcomCounty Park South, and Wickersham.14 Blaine/Lynden Develop multipurpose trail from downtown 10.0TrailBlaine to Lynden within a corridor parallel toBlaine Lynden, Hayne, and West BadgerRoad. Designate trailheads in downtownBlaine, Berthusen Park, and downtownLynden.15 Sandy Point Trail Develop multipurpose trail from the CoastMillennium Trail west from Lake Terrell Roadwest on Slater Road to Neptune Beach, thensouth on Sucia Drive to Sandy Point.Designate trailheads at Lummi Nation accesspoints to Neptune Beach and Sandy PointMarina.3.016 Bellingham BayTrailDevelop multipurpose trail from the CoastMillennium Trail south from Marine Drive onLummi Shore Drive to Gooseberry Point andthe County Ferry. Designate trailheads atFish Point Park, Lummi Beach, andGooseberry Point.17 Lummi Island Trail Develop multipurpose trail from theBellingham Bay Trail at Gooseberry Point,cross Hale Passage on the ferry to NugentRoad and the Lummi Island Grange, thensouth in road right-of-way on Nugent Roadpast Lovers Bluff and the church on TuttleLane to the Lummi Village site. Designatetrailheads at Lummi Island Grange, LoversBluff, and the end of Legoe Bay Road atVillage Point.18 Nooksack RiverTrail – Marietta toEversonDevelop multipurpose trail on top southriver dike from Marietta to Slater Road andthe current trail on top of the dike throughHovander Park. From Hovander Park,continue north on top of south river dike toGuide Meridian. From Guide Meridian,continue on top of the dikes on both sides ofthe river to the Everson-Goshen Road Bridgeand connect with Bay to Baker Trail. Developtrailheads at the proposed multi-use parksites at Marietta and Fish Trap Creek.Designate trailheads at Hovander Park,Guide Meridian, Hannegan Road, andEverson-Goshen Bridge in Everson.7.22.417.0107Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

19 Nooksack RiverTrail – Goshen toDeming20 Nooksack RiverTrail – North Fork21 Nooksack RiverTrail – Middle Fork22 Nooksack RiverTrail – South Fork23 Lake Whatcom-Samish-ChuckanutTrail24 BNSF Rail Trail –Ferndale-BlaineMultipurpose trail milesDevelop multipurpose trail from the Bay to 6.6Baker Trail at Goshen east parallel toCedarville Road to Mt Bakery Highway bridgeat Nugent’s Corner. From Nugent’s Corner,cross the bridge and parallel the railroadand river to Deming. Designate trailheads atNugent’s Corner and Deming Homestead(Eagle Park).Develop multipurpose trail from Homestead 7.6Park in Deming north between the river andMt Baker Highway to Kendall and aconnection with the Bay to Baker Trail.Designate trailheads at Deming Homestead,Mosquito Lake Road, and Kendall.Develop multipurpose trail from the10.6Nooksack River North Fork Trail at Mt BakerHighway east between the river andMosquito Lake Road to the end of PorterCreek Road. From Porter Creek Road,continue east on old logging roads into MtBaker-Snoqualmie National Forest and aneventual connection with National Park Trail696. Designate trailheads at Mt BakerHighway, Porter Creek, the Diversion Dam atthe end of Porter Creek Road, and the USFSgate.Develop multipurpose trail from Deming 10.4Homestead (Eagle Park) south parallel to theriver and railroad to Van Zandt, Standard,Acme, and Wickersham. Designate trailheadsat Deming Homestead, Van Zandt,Standard,s Acme, Doran, and Wilkersham.Develop multipurpose trail from the south 7.6end of Lake Whatcom at Blue Canyon Roadwest parallel to South Bay Road throughLake Whatcom County Park South. From thecounty park, continue south on Camp Road2 logging railroad corridor past Cain Lake toSquires Lake. From Squires Lake, continuenorth parallel to Highway 99 to the overpassto I-5 to East Lake Samish Road, then northto North Lake Samish Road and Samish Park.From Samish Park, continue west intoChuckanut Mountain Recreation Area and aconnection with the Chuckanut Trail at PineLakes. Designate trailheads at LakeWhatcom County Park South, DFW Cain LakeAccess, Squires Lake, Dittrich Park (EastSamish Lake), and Samish Lake Park.Develop multipurpose rail trail from10.6Hovander Park in Ferndale parallel and westof the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroadtrack north to the Semiahmoo-DraytonHarbor Loop Trail. Designate trailheads atHovander Park, Grandview Road, Birch Bay-Lynden Road, and Blaine Road at CaliforniaCreek.108Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Multipurpose trail miles25 BNSF Rail Trail – Develop multipurpose rail trail from Custer 6.4Cherry Point parallel and north of the BNSF railroad trackswest to Kickerville Road, then south to theCoast Millennium Trail at Alder Grove Road.From Alder Grove Road, continue west onCoast Millennium Trail on Alder Grove Roadto Powder Plant Road, then south to GulfRoad and the proposed multi-use park onCherry Point. Designate trailheads at BirchBay-Lynden Road and Kickerville Road.Develop trailhead at the proposed CherryPoint multi-use park site on Gulf Road.Blaine 6.426 Semiahmoo- Complete multipurpose asphalt trail from 6.4Drayton HarborLoop Trailthe end of Semiahmoo Spit around the innerDrayton Harbor shoreline on Drayton Harborand Blaine Roads, Peace Portal and MarineDrives to the Blaine Marina and across to theresort and the other end of the trail on thePlover historic ferry. Designate trailheads atHarborview Road, California Creek, ShipyardRoad, and Marine Drive Park.Lynden 5.427 BNSF Spur Trail Develop multipurpose rail trail from the Bay 5.4to Baker Trail at Hampton parallel and southof BNSF Railroad track west to Lynden to 4thand Main Streets. From 4th Street, continuesouth through the historic business districton Front Street across Judson Alley and thehillclimb to the north bank and theNooksack River Trail. Designate trailheads atNorthwood Road, 4th Street-Centennial Park,and the Nooksack River Trail at HanneganRoad.Ferndale 3.628 Mtn View Trail Develop multipurpose trail from HovanderPark across the Nooksack Trail on theproposed footbridge to Pioneer Park, thenaround the historic district on Main Streetwest along Mtn View Road to Lake TerrellRoad and a connection with the CoastMillennium Trail. Designate trailheads atHovander Park, Pioneer Park, and LakeTerrell State Game Refuge.3.6Bellingham 48.31 Bay to Baker Trail– BellinghamSegment7.52 Interurban Trail –BellinghamSegmentExtend multipurpose gravel trail from LittleSqualcium Beach along BB&BC railroad rightof-wayand then parallel to Baker Highwaythrough Cornwall Park, Bug Lake, SunsetPond, and DNR parcels to Squalicum Lake –local portion of proposed 48.6 mile trail toAustin Pass on Mount Baker.Multipurpose paved trail to be improved andextended from Skagit County line north pastLarrabee State Park, Teddy Bear Cove CountyPark, Arroyo Park, and Fairhaven Park toFairhaven Village Green and Padden Creekand South Bay Trails.7.0109Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

9 South Bay TrailExtensionMultipurpose trail milesMultipurpose paved trail extension from1.0Marine Park north along active railroadthrough Fairhaven Industrial Park to 10thStreet to the existing South Bay Trail onformer BB&BC railroad grade. Then continuefrom Morse Hardware on Railroad Avenueand through downtown to Whatcom Creekand the Railroad Trail.4.610 North Bay Trail Multipurpose trail to be developed adjacentto Marine Drive from Central Avenue atMaritime Heritage Park north across LittleSqualicum Creek and Marine Drive Overlookto the Nooksack River Trail.11 Railroad Trail –North Segment13 Whatcom CreekTrail Improvement29 Silver Creek-Cordata-SpringCreek TrailMultipurpose paved trail to be improved andextended from Squalicum Parkway across I-5and along the former railroad grade throughBroadway Park, Sunnyland Memorial Park,Fever Creek Natural Area, to BloedelDonovan Park on Lake Whatcom.Multipurpose gravel trail to be improved andexpanded from Maritime Heritage Park eastalong Whatcom Creek corridor past CityHall, and through Whatcom Falls park toBloedel Donovan Park on Lake Whatcom.Develop multipurpose trail from theNooksack River Trail at Hovander Park easton Hovander Road, Smith Road, and alongSilver Creek to Northwest Avenue at Smith &Northwest Sports Park. From NorthwestSports Park, continue south through CordataBusiness Park, Bellis Fair Mall, and WhatcomCounty Community College to Horton Road.From Horton Road, continue south pastSunset Pond and Sunnyland Memorial Park tothe Railroad Trail. Designate trailheads atHovander Park, Northwest Sports Park,Cordata Business Park, Sunset Pond, andSunnyland Memorial Park.30 Toad Creek Trail Develop multipurpose trail from Cordataeast along Smith Road and Toad Creek tothe Bay to Baker Trail, then south to theLake Whatcom Trail and Bloedel DonovanPark. Designate trailheads at CordataBusiness Park, Squalicum High School, andBloedel Donovan Park.31 Lookout Mtn Trail Develop multipurpose trail from WhatcomFalls Park south to Lake Padden Park andDNR forest parcels located at the south endof Lake Whatcom off South Bay Road.Designate trailheads at Whatcom Falls Park,Lake Padden Park, and Lake WhatcomCounty Park South.32 Samish Hill-LakePadden TrailDevelop multipurpose trail from WhatcomCreek Park and Civic Field south acrossSamish Hill to Padden Creek Park. Designatetrailheads at Whatcom Creek Park, CivicField, and Lake Padden Park.Total proposed multipurpose trails 217.14.1-6.98.06.52.7110Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Multipurpose trails in parks and greenway corridorsExisting multipurpose trailsThe following multipurpose trail systems have been developed to providecombined hike, bike, and some horse trail opportunities within major parks andgreenway corridors.Multipurpose trail milesWhatcom County 8.61 Huckleberry PointTrailMultipurpose dirt spur trail from Hemlock tothe mountaintop with views of Sehome Hilland Lake Padden.2 Salal Trail Multipurpose dirt spur trail through the cliffsand dense forest of Chuckanut Mountainsystem between Hemlock and North LostLake Trails.3 Madrone CrestTrail4 Pine and CedarLakes Trail5 DemingHomestead EaglePark6 Hovander/TennantLake ConnectorTrail7 Black MountainTrailMultipurpose dirt spur trail off Salal Trail inthe middle of the Chuckanut Mountain trailsystem.Multipurpose dirt spur trail from HemlockTrail on an old railroad grade through theChuckanut Mountain trail system and aroundCedar and Pine Lakes.Multipurpose gravel trail along the northfork of the Nooksack River through baldeagle and salmon habitat on Truck Road offMt Baker Highway milepost 14.Multipurpose gravel trail between the bigred barn at Hovander Homestead and theTennant Lake Interpretive Center.Multipurpose dirt trail from the horse campat Black Mountain to the logging roadsystem.8 Lookout Trail Multipurpose dirt trail loop through SilverLake Park from the trailheads at site 10.9 Horse Camp Trail Multipurpose gravel trail from the horsecamp on Black Mountain to the main parkfacility in Silver Lake Park.Bellingham trails in corridors and greenways 3.710 Illinois Street Trail Multipurpose gravel trail in Illinois Street0.4right-of-way.11 Lakeway Drive Multipurpose paved trail from Lakeway Drive 0.5Trailto Whatcom Creek Trail.12 Lower PaddenCreek TrailMultipurpose gravel trail along PaddenCreek from 10th Street west to 4th Street0.813 Moore-Pacific-Racine Trailwith a trailhead at Fairhaven Park.Multipurpose paved trail to connect RailroadTrail and Bay to Baker Trail through the MtBaker neighborhood from Moore Street toBarkley Boulevard.14 Old Village Trail Multipurpose paved trail from Elizabeth Parkto Maritime Heritage Park.15 Padden Gorge Multipurpose gravel trail from Lake PaddenTrailPark to 36th Street.16 Peters Street Trail Multipurpose gravel trail in Peters Streetright-of-way from Maryland Street to BigRock Park and Silver Beach ES.Total existing multipurpose trail miles 12.3Proposed trails – Bellingham urban areaThe following trail system may be developed to provide combined hike, bike, andsome horse trail opportunities between the Bellingham UGA and the countywide0.41.20.72.50.30.41.71.00.40.70.50.40.4111Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

7-96211724101422-23131811,162051215191-4Multipurpose trails – in parks and greenway corridorsExisting trails Proposed trails __ existing trails1 Huckleberry Point Trail 10 Illinois Street Trail 13 Moore-Pacific-Racine ---- proposed trails2 Salal Trail 11 Lakeway Drive Trail 17 Airport Trail System3 Madrone Crest Trail 12 Lower Padden Creek Trail 18 Big Rock Park-Klipsun4 Pine & Cedar Lakes Trail 13 Moore-Pacific-Racine 19 Padden Trail5 Deming Homstead Eagle Park 14 Old Village Trail 20 Squalicum Mtn Trail6 Hovander/Tennant Lake 15 Padden Gorge Trail 21 Smith Road Trail7 Black Mountain Trail 16 Peters Street Trail 22 Sunset Trail8 Lookout Trail 23 Toad Creek Trail9 Horse Camp Trail 24 West Silver Creek Trail

system subject to feasibility studies with appropriate public and privateparticipants. The trails generally follow public road and utility right-of-waycorridors, but may be relocated onto public and/or private property whereowners approve.Multipurpose trail milesBellingham 16.613 Moore-Pacific-Racine Trail17 Airport TrailSystem18 Big Rock Park-Kilpsun TrailMultipurpose paved trail to be developedfrom Railroad Trail and Bay to Baker Trailthrough the Mt Baker neighborhood fromMoore Street to Barkley Boulevard.Multipurpose gravel trail to be developedfrom Cliffside Overlook on Marine Drivethrough Airport and DNR Lost Lakeproperties to the Nooksack River Trail andSlater Road.Multipurpose gravel trail to be extendedfrom Railroad Trail through Big Rock Parkand Silver Beach ES to the north end of LakeWhatcom.19 Padden Trail Multipurpose gravel trail to be improved andextended from Lake Padden Park alongPadden Creek across I-5 to the InterurbanTrail.20 SqualicumMountain TrailMultipurpose gravel hiking and off-roadmountain bike trail to be developed fromToad Lake DFW Access east to SqualicumValley and Agate Bay.21 Smith Road Trail Multipurpose gravel trail to be developedfrom Smith & Northwest Sports Park eastacross I-5 to the Nooksack River Trail.22 Sunset Trail Multipurpose gravel trail to be developedfrom Railroad Trail north through MountBaker neighborhood to Bay to Baker Trail.23 Toad Creek Trail Multipurpose gravel trail to be developedfrom Northridge Trail east from SqualicumHS and Northern Heights ES to Toad LakeDFW Access and Smith Trail..24 West Silver CreekTrailMultipurpose trail to be developed fromBakerview Road north to Smith Road andSmith Road Trail.Total proposed trail miles 16.60.72.70.92.72.72.31.01.02.6113Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

114Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

3.6 Walking and hiking trailsWalking and hiking trails may be developed to link major environmental assets,park and recreational facilities, community centers, and historical featuresthroughout Whatcom County. Generally, walking and hiking trails may bedeveloped as dirt or bark surfaced routes on interior alignments throughenvironmental features. Portions of the system within the more densely developedareas, however, may be developed as sidewalks or boardwalks with urbanstreetscape furnishings and amenities.Walking and hiking trails may be developed, where possible, in alignmentsseparate from vehicular or other motorized forms of transportation. For example,walking and hiking trails may be located within natural drainage corridors, woodedravines, and utility easements. In some instances and for short duration, walkingand hiking trail systems may be developed as improvements within the right-of-wayof established vehicular or other transportation corridors.Generally, walking and hiking trails may be developed to Washington StateDepartment of Transportation (WSDOT) or US Forest Service (USFS) walking trailstandards with a crushed rock, bark or compacted dirt base. Trail segments maybe handicap accessible and usable by all age and skill groups. In the most urban orpark sites, walking and hiking trails may be developed with an asphalt or concretesurface, handicap accessible and usable by all age and skill groups.Walking and hiking trail corridors may be located to coincide with other park andrecreational improvements or public facilities to access rest stops, parking lots,restrooms, and other services.Walking and hiking trail corridors may be independent properties or includeportions of other sites provided for resource activities, athletic facilities, and otherpark and recreational or public facility properties. Linked with conservation areasand resource activities, the walking and hiking trails may create a system ofinterconnected greenways to integrate and define the urban and natural portionsof the county in accordance with the Growth Management Act's (GMA) provisionsfor urban separators.VISIONAs described, the walking and hiking trails vision may be realized by providingrecreational trail opportunities on Whatcom County that:• access natural features that may not be available otherwise,• link open spaces and other conservation areas into a greenway system,• serve persons with varied physical abilities and skills,• establish high visibility and volume pedestrian routes through the mostdeveloped urban areas and park sites,• expand the park system to connect with public properties, and• expand roadway corridors to provide recreational and commuter trailopportunities.Shoreline trails - beach, boardwalk, and over-waterExisting beach, boardwalk, and over-water shoreline trailsA system of shoreline trails have been designated on an informal basis acrosspublic and some private tidelands (subject to property owner permission) alongWhatcom County shorelines and between various destinations along DraytonHarbor, Birch, Bellingham, and Chuckanut Bays.Most public tideland ownership are narrow bands located between the mean lowtide about +3.0 feet above the mean lower low tide of 0.0 feet and the extreme lowtide -4.5 feet below the mean lower low tide of 0.0 feet, for a total range of 7.4feet. A more extensive tideland definition extends from mean high tide +13.0 feet115Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

25826424385-6353913-141531-32,34189-12,20,40-45,472716461921172223,30,3371-3,3728-2936Shoreline trails – beach, boardwalk, and over waterExisting trails Proposed trails __ existing trails1 Point Roberts – Monument Pk 13 Lummi Bay – Neptune Beach 25 Semiahmoo Bay-Marine Park 37 Point Roberts – connections ---- proposed trails2 Point Roberts – Lighthouse 14 Lummi Bay – Sandy Point 26 Birch Bay – Beach 372 38 Birch Point3 Point Roberts – Maple Beach 15 Lummi Bay – Aqua Dike 27 Lummi Island – Beach 224 39 Cherry Point4 Semiahmoo Bay 16 Hales Passage – Lummi Beach 28 Lummi Island – Beach 220 40 Bellingham Bay-Delta/Tilbury5 Birch Bay Shoreline 17 Portage Island 29 Lummi Island – Carter Point 41 Bellingham Bay-Baker Plywood6 Birch Bay Tidelands 18 Bellingham Bay – Fish Point 30 Chuckanut Bay – Wildcat Cove 42 Bellingham Bay-Outer Harbor7 Chuckanut Bay/Mtn/Cove 19 Bellingham Bay – Tilbury Pier 31 Bellingham Bay/Nooksack Rvr 43 Bellingham Bay-I&J Waterway8 Drayton/Blaine Harbor 20 Bellingham By-Little Squalicum 32 Bellingham Bay – Marine Drive 44 Bellingham Bay-BST9 Bellingham Bay- Squalicum 21 Taylor Dock/Boulevard Park 33 Chuckanut Bay 45 Bellingham Bay-GP Site10 Bellingham By-Little Squalicum 22 Bellingham Bay-Post Point 34 Bellingham Bay – Marine Drive 46 Bellingham Bay-Lummi Rsvrtn11 Bellingham Bay-Tom Glenn 23 Chuckanut Bay Tidelands 35 Birch Bay State Park 47 Cornwall Ave/Boulevard Park12 Bellingham Bay-Fairhaven 24 Drayton Harbor/Semiahmoo 36 Larrabee State Park

above the mean lower low tide of 0.0 feet and the extreme low tide -4.5 feet belowthe mean lower low tide of 0.0 feet for a total range of 17.4 feet.In some instances, shoreline trails cross over numerous private tidelands (whereproperty owners are agreeable) located between the public holdings – generally onsand and gravel shoreline below steep bluffs isolated and buffered from residentialdevelopments.Boardwalks have also been developed over-water and on top of jetty breakwatersto provide access to waterfront activities and viewpoints within the developedportions of Bellingham Bay.Shoreline trail milesWhatcom County 7.31 Point RobertsShoreline -Monument Park2 Point RobertsShoreline -Lighthouse MarinePark3 Point RobertsShoreline - MapleBeach Tidelands4 Semiahmoo Bay –Semiahmoo Parkand Tidelands5 Birch Bay –ShorelineProperties6 Birch Bay –Tidelands6.9-acre undeveloped park site and overlooklocated on the US/Canadian border on thenorthwest shoreline of Point Roberts onMarine Drive. The property includes 500linear feet of shoreline on the Strait ofGeorgia from the border south towardsLighthouse Marine Park.Park site located on the southwest point ofPoint Roberts on Marine and Edwards Drivewith 2,500 linear feet of shoreline on theStrait of Georgia. Shoreline trails extend thelength of the park shoreline and northtowards Monument Park, and east towardsPoint Roberts Marina.Second class tidelands property with 2,000linear feet of shoreline located in PointRoberts on Bay View Drive on Boundary Bay.The property provides access to thetidelands for beach walks, swimming, andshell fishing.17.9-acre conservancy park property islocated on Semiahmoo Spit betweenSemiahmoo Bay and Drayton Harbor inBlaine. The property includes 11,935 linearfeet of shoreline and tidelands that provideaccess to extensive claming beds, swimmingbeaches, picnicking, beachcombing areas,fishing and hand-carry boat access, and 1.5mile paved multipurpose trail.6.7-acre collection of shoreline or near shoreproperties located along Birch Bay Drive atCedar Avenue and Beach Way, CottonwoodDrive, Alderson Road, Jackson Road, andalong Terrell Creek. The various parcelsprovide 1,200 linear feet of shoreline withhand-carry boat access, picnic tables, andrestroom.Collection of interspersed tidelands locatedalong Birch Bay Drive and providingsaltwater shoreline on Birch Bay. Majorparcels include properties located north ofCottonwood Drive, north of the intersectionof Harborview and Birch Bay Drive, EvergreenLane south past Cedar Lane, and north ofAlderson Road.0.10.30.43.00.23.0117Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Shoreline trail miles7 Chuckanut Bay – 999.8-acre Whatcom County portion of the 0.3ChuckanutMountain Park –Teddy Bear CoveChuckanut Mountain Recreational Areaincludes 9.5 acres in Teddy Bear Cove with1,400 linear feet of shoreline on ChuckanutBay accessed off Chuckanut Drive.Port of Bellingham 2.58 Drayton Harbor -Blaine Harbor100.0-acres of Blaine Harbor tide flats andland improvements includes a public fishingand crabbing pier and overlook withbenches and landscaping, a 1.0 mile harborboardwalk, and 0.2 mile shoreline trail along1.29 Bellingham Bay,Squalicum - InnerHarbor Promenade10 Bellingham Bay,Squalicum - LittleSqualicum Beach11 Bellingham Bay,Squalicum – TomGlenn Commons12 Bellingham Bay,Fairhaven –Bellingham CruiseTerminalthe mudflats.Walk with viewpoints, benches, andinterpretive signage adjacent to the innerharbor with access to moorage, commercialdevelopments, and Marina Square withcustoms office for seaplanes and boatpassengers.Potential shoreline trail corridor located onRoeder Avenue between the Port and TilburyPier adjoining Bellingham’s Little SqualicumCreek Park.1.2-acre plaza, stage with sound system, andviewpoint located adjacent to BellwetherHotel on Squalicum Peninsula with accessaround the point.Terminal provides passenger and vehicleloading from a single finger pier extendinginto the south end of Bellingham Bay fromHarris Avenue with public access allowed offthe west side of the pier.Lummi Nation 11.313 Lummi Bay -Neptune Beach2.014 Lummi Bay - SandyPoint15 Lummi Bay - AquaDike16 Hales Passage -Lummi BeachShoreline access located off Sucia Drive atNeptune Beach includes shorelinesoverlooking Georgia Strait, Hale Passage,and Lummi Island.Shoreline access located at the end of SuciaDrive on Sandy Point with parking facilitiesand trails extending around Sandy PointShores.Shoreline access located off Kwina Road atthe confluence of the Lummi River intoLummi Bay with parking and trailopportunities around the Lummi aquaculturefacility.Shoreline access located on Lummi ViewDrive on Gooseberry Point extends to thesand spit connection to Portage Island.17 Portage Island Shoreline access, when tides permit, aroundPortage Island including interior sand dunesand Brant Point.18 Bellingham Bay -Fish Point Park2.0-acre shoreline access located off LummiShore Drive including 1,750 linear footshoreline overlooking Bellingham Bay andthe confluence of the Nooksack River.0.60.20.40.11.03.01.04.00.3118Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Shoreline trail milesBellingham 2.419 Bellingham Bay -Tilbury PierFormer Tilbury Cement Plan pier intoBellingham Bay to be refurbished for fishing,scuba diving, hand-carry boat launch,transitory boat moorage, and other activitieswith viewpoints, benches, and interpretive0.220 Bellingham Bay -Little SqualicumPark21 Bellingham Bay -Taylor Dock &South Bay OverwaterWalk22 Bellingham Bay -Post Pointe OpenSpace Beach Walk23 Chuckanut Bay -Tidelandssignage.Undeveloped park site located at the mouthof the Little Squalicum Creek off MarineDrive includes sandy shoreline on the bay.Park includes some Port and Countyproperties managed by the City.Over-water shoreline boardwalk providesaccess in place of original railroad jetty anddock from 10th Street (former Taylor Dock)to Boulevard Park.Shoreline trail provides access along thebeach from an under-crossing adjacent toMarine Park south along railroad trackstowards Clark’s Point.68.7-acre tidelands conservancy located onthe north shore of Chuckanut Bay adjacentto estuary conservation sites.Blaine 0.924 Drayton Harbor –SemiahmooTidelands0.525 Semiahmoo Bay -Marine ParkTidelands located on the north and south ofSemiahmoo Spit and portions of the westshoreline of Drayton Harbor to be dedicatedfor public use with the development ofSemiahmoo Resort and Uplands.8.6-acre waterfront park located across fromBlaine Marina with shoreline on SemiahmooBay with walking trails, picnic tables andshelters.WA Department of Natural Resources 8.726 Birch Bay - BirchPoint Beach 3720.627 Lummi Island -Beach 22428 Lummi Island -Beach 22029 Lummi Island -Carter Point30 Chuckanut Bay -Wildcat Cove2,930 linear foot public tidelands sitelocated north of Birch Point southwest ofBlaine with access by boat only and anextensive lower beach, sandy flats, andclaming potentials.2,805 linear foot public tidelands sitelocated on the northeast side of LummiIsland off Nugent Road adjacent to the oldcounty ferry dock right-of-way with eelgrassand clam beds. The site is accessible by boator by way of the county-owned ferry dockaccess right-of-way.23,533 linear foot public tidelands siteencompasses the Reil Harbor Beach/LummiIsland NRCA with access to a shorelinefeaturing gravel and rock beaches.30.0-acre 2,500 linear foot public tidelandssite located at the south end of LummiIsland adjacent to the US Coast Guardlighthouse reserve property. The siteprovides dramatic views of Hale Passage,Bellingham Bay, and Eliza Island.1,600 linear foot public tideland located inWildcat Cove adjoining Larrabee State Park.0.10.70.41.00.40.54.50.50.3119Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

31 Bellingham Bay -Nooksack River atMarietta32 Bellingham Bay -Marine Drive atCliffsideShoreline trail miles1,800 linear foot public tideland located on 0.3the east side of the east branch of theNooksack River confluence with BellinghamBay at Marietta with access from MarineDrive.5,000 linear foot public tideland located on 0.9Bellingham Bay south of Marine Drive andthe railroad tracks between Locust Avenueand Cliffside Drive under the BellinghamInternational Airport flight.0.933 Chuckanut Bay 4,500 linear foot public tideland located onChuckanut Bay north from Fragrance Creekoutfall with access from Chuckanut Drive.34 Bellingham Bay -Marine Drive atCliffside800 linear foot public tideland located onBellingham Bay west of West Cliffside Driveand adjacent meander tidelands.WA Parks & Recreation Commission (P&RC) 2.335 Birch Bay StatePark1.636 Chuckanut Bay -Larrabee StatePark193.2-acre multi-use state park located onBirch Bay and Terrell Creek with 8,255 linearfeet of saltwater shoreline with hiking trails,picnic tables, boat ramp, and campgrounds.2,780.0-acre multi-use state park located offChuckanut Drive on Wildcat Coveoverlooking Chuckanut Bay and the San JuanIslands. The 3,600 linear foot shorelineprovides tidal pools, fishing access,swimming beach, and walking trails onWildcat Cove.Total existing shoreline trail miles 35.4Proposed shoreline trailsThe following shoreline trails will be designated on tidelands between park andpublic land holdings. In some instances, shoreline trails may also cross overprivate tidelands located between the public holdings – generally below steepbluffs isolated and buffered from residential developments (if property ownersare agreeable).Shoreline trail milesWhatcom County 18.137 Point Roberts –connectingsegmentsDesignate continuous shoreline trail fromMonument Park on the west shore southaround Lighthouse Marine Park, east aroundPoint Roberts Marina and Lily Point, andnorth to Maple Beach Tidelands. Designatetrailheads at Monument Park, LighthouseMarine Park, Lily Point, and Maple Beach.38 Birch Point Designate continuous shoreline trail fromSemiahmoo Spit around Birch Point to BirchPoint Road with trailheads at SemiahmooPark and Birch Point Road.39 Cherry Point -Point Whitehorn toNeptune BeachDesignate continuous shoreline trail fromBirch Bay State Park around Point Whitehornand south to Neptune Beach. Designatetrailheads at Birch Bay State Park, theproposed Cherry Point multi-use park, andNeptune Beach.0.20.76.72.06.0120Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Shoreline trail miles40 Bellingham Bay – Designate continuous shoreline trail from 3.4Marletta to TilburyPierMarletta south along Bellingham Bay to theTilbury Pier with trailheads at the proposedMarletta multi-use park, Marine Drive access,and Tilbury Pier.Port of Bellingham 3.741 Bellingham Bay,Squalicum, BakerPlywoodPromenadeWalk to be developed around the peninsulaoccupied by Baker Plywood to link with LittleSqualicum Beach Walk on the north andSqualicum Outer Harbor Promenade on thesouth with viewpoints, benches, and0.542 Bellingham Bay,Squalicum – OuterHarbor Promenade43 Bellingham Bay,Squalicum – I&Jand WhatcomWaterwayPromenade44 Bellingham Bay,Squalicum – BSTPromenade45 Bellingham Bay –GP PlantRedevelopmentinterpretive signage.Walk to be developed around the OuterHarbor to link with Baker PlywoodPromenade on the north and SqualicumOuter Harbor Promenade on the south withviewpoints, benches, and interpretivesignage and access to adjacent moorage andBellingham Yacht Club.Walk to be developed along the south sideof I&J Waterway, the outside of GP Lagoon,and the north side of Whatcom Waterway tolink with Squalicum Inner Harbor Promenadeon the north and Central Avenue on thesouth with viewpoints, benches, andinterpretive signage adjacent waterfrontactivity areas.Walk of limited and controlled access to bedeveloped along the south side of WhatcomWaterway to the end of Cornwall Avenue onthe south with viewpoints, benches, andinterpretive signage.Boardwalk to be developed along the southedge of Whatcom Waterway to link with BSTPromenade on the south with viewpoints,benches, and interpretive signage adjacentwaterfront activity areas.Lummi Nation 4.046 Bellingham Bay –LummiReservationDesignate continuous shoreline trail fromPortage Channel north to the Nooksack Riverdelta with trailheads at Lummi Beach and4.0Fish Point Park.Bellingham 0.547 Cornwall Avenue –0.5Boulevard ParkBoardwalkBoardwalk to be developed from the southend of Cornwall Avenue along the shorelineto connect with Boulevard Park withviewpoints, benches, and interpretivesignage.Total proposed shoreline trail miles 26.3Day-use trailsExisting day-use trailsA system of day-use trails has been developed and in some instances, designatedon an informal basis, across public and some private lands (subject to propertyowner permission) on Point Roberts, Lummi Island, and Chuckanut, Lookout,Sumas, and Black Mountains.0.81.10.50.8121Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Miles of day-use trailsBellingham parks 35.81 Arroyo Park Trail Dirt walking trail on a narrow footpath along 0.7Chuckanut Creek through steep terrain,dense woods, and natural park area withconnection to the Interurban Trail.2 Cornwall ParkTrailGravel and paved trail through the parkinterior – dirt trails and paths through the1.53 Lake Padden LoopTrailwooded areas of the park.Gravel loop-trail around the circumference ofLake Padden with access to picnic facilities,waterfront access, and natural areas - horsesnot allowed.4 Lake Padden Trails Gravel trail through the woods and acrosssome hilly terrain along the outer boundaryof Lake Padden Park.5 Sehome HillArboretum Trail6 Whatcom FallsPark Trail7 Whatcom FallsWaterline Trail8 Lookout MountainTrail9 Lower PaddenCreek Trail10 Lower WhatcomCreek Trail11 Upper WhatcomCreek TrailUnpaved walking trails from Bill McDonaldParkway or Jersey Street in WWU throughsteep wooded hillsides with some pavedsections on the summit. Observation towernear the upper parking lot provides views ofBellingham and Nooksack River.Gravel and dirt walking trails from LakewayDrive through rolling hillside with somesteep grades. Scenic trails located along thenorth bank of the creek to the east and westof the concrete WPOA bridge to the lowerparking lot. Includes connections withScudder Pond Trail, Silver Beach Trail, andthe trail from St Clair Park.Gravel trail along Whatcom Creek fromBloedel Donovan Park through WhatcomFalls Park.Dirt trail between Whatcom Creek Park andLake Padden Park across Lookout andGalbraith Mountains – avoids mountain bikecourse trails.Gravel trail along Padden Creek from 10thStreet west to 4th Street with a trailhead atFairhaven Park.Paved and gravel trail along Whatcom Creekfrom Maritime Heritage Center to RailroadAvenue with a trailhead at Maritime HeritagePark.Gravel hiking trail along Whatcom Creekfrom Racine Street to Woburn and WhatcomFalls Park with trailheads in Whatcom FallsPark.2.611.7Blaine 1.012 Blaine Watershed Dirt hiking trail through dedicated, woodedacreage at the headwaters of Dakota Creekto fish hatchery tanks maintained by BlaineSchool District.1.0Whatcom County 35.413 Teddy Bear Cove Dirt trail from Chuckanut Drive downhill0.9Trailacross railroad tracks to Chuckanut Bay.14 Chuckanut Mtn –Hemlock Trail3.5Dirt trail from Arroyo Park southeast to maineast-west connector through the Chuckanuttrail system to the Pine & Cedar Lakes Trail.5.35.50.83.50.80.52.9122Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

12535450522324-26554827422246,49,4130592,294710-115662938135,403-4,4416-7 84514-19 2061433128515732-37605839Day-use trailsExisting trails 13 Teddy Bear Cove Trail 26 Silver Lake – Horse Camp 39 Clayton Beach Trail - PSE 51 South Fork County Park1 Arroyo Park Trail 14 Chuckanut Mtn – Hemlock 27 Smith & Northwest Sports Proposed trails 52 Bertrand Creek-Berthusen2 Cornwall Park Trail 15 Chuckanut Mtn – Huckleberry 28 Stimpson Family Nature 40 Connelly Creek-Sehome 53 South Pass Road3 Lake Padden Loop Trail 16 Chuckanut Mtn – Salal 29 Bug Lake Trail 41 Cordata Trail 54 Black-Bald Mountain4 Lake Padden Trails 17 Chuckanut Mtn – Madrone 30 Toad/Emerald Lake Trail 42 King-Queen Mountain 55 Nooksack River – North5 Sehome Hill Arboretum Trail 18 Chuckanut Mtn – Pine & Cedar 31 DNR Lookout-Galbraith Mtn 43 Lookout-Galbraith 56 Nooksack River – Middle6 Whatcom Falls Park Trail 19 Chuckanut Mtn – Lost Lake 32 Larrabee State Park–Ridge 44 Padden Trail 57 Skookum Creek Trail7 Whatcom Falls Waterline Trail 20 Samish Park Trail 33 Larrabee State Park–Cleator 45 Samish Hill Trail 58 Stewart Mountain8 Lookout Mountain Trail 21 Squires Lake Trail 34 Larrabee State Park-Fragrance 46 Silver Creek Headwaters 59 Airport Trail System9 Lower Padden Creek Trail 22 Canyon Lake Cmty Forest 35 Larrabee State Park-Lost Lake 47 Squalicum Mtn Trail 60 Chuckanut Mtn-East/West10 Lower Whatcom Creek Trail 23 Ostrom Conservation Forest 36 Larrabee State Park-Cyrus 48 Smith Road Trail 61 Olsen Property11 Upper Whatcom Creek Trail 24 Silver Lake – Black Mountain 37 Larrabee State Park-Summit 49 West Silver Creek Trail 62 Lummi Island12 Blaine Watershed 25 Silver Lake – Lookout 38 Clark’s Point Open Space 50 Sunset Equestrian Park __/---- existing/proposed trails21

15 Chuckanut Mtn –Huckleberry PointTrail16 Chuckanut Mtn –Salal Trail17 Chuckanut Mtn –Madrone CrestTrail18 Chuckanut Mtn –Pine & CedarLakes Trail19 Chuckanut Mtn –North Lost LakeTrailMiles of day-use trailsDirt trail spur from Hemlock Trail east to0.4Huckleberry Point Viewpoint providing vistasof Sehome Hill and Lake Padden.Dirt trail from North Lost Lake Trail across 1.2Larrabee State Park through the cliffs anddense forest of Chuckanut Mountainbetween Hemlock and North Lost LakeTrails.Dirt trail spur from Salal Trail south to0.7Madrone Crest viewpoint.Dirt trail from Old Samish Road south toHemlock Trail and Cedar and Pine Lakes withprimitive campsites around the lake and oldrailroad grades.Dirt trail from Arroyo Park and Hemlock Trailsouth through the heart of the ChuckanutMountain trail system to Lost Lake andChuckanut Drive at Clayton Beach.20 Samish Park Trail Dirt trail along shoreline and looped intohillsides.21 Squires Lake Trail Dirt hiking trails on an old railroad gradefrom the trailhead on Old Highway 99 toviewpoints and fishing sites located aroundSquires Lake and Beaver Pond perimeter.22 Canyon LakeCommunity Forest23 OstromConservation SiteDirt trail around the lake to overlooks andold growth forest.Dirt trails from trailhead on South Pass Roadonto school district interpretive sites andDNR lands on Sumas Mountain.24 Silver Lake - Black Dirt trail from the horse camp at Silver Lake 1.7Mountain Trail to Black Mountain.25 Silver Lake Park - Dirt trail loop through Silver Lake Park. 1.0Lookout Trail26 Silver Lake Park - Gravel trail from the horse camp to the main 0.4Horse Camp Trail park facility in Silver Lake Park.27 Smith & Northwest Dirt walking trail around the baseball and 1.1Sports Complex soccer athletic field complex.28 Stimpson Family Dirt hiking trails from trailhead on Lake3.0Nature Reserve Louise Road onto DNR, city, county, and landtrust near Lake Whatcom.Washington State agencies 23.029 Bug Lake Trail Dirt walking trail around Bug Lake withfishing access sites – may not be passableduring high water seasons.0.830 Toad/EmeraldLake Trail31 DNR Lookout-GalbraithMountain Trails32 Larrabee StatePark – ChuckanutRidge TrailDirt hiking trail from Britton Road turn-off toToad Lake access and fishing dock.Undesignated dirt mountain and single tracktrails complex across and around DNR andprivate forestlands on Galbraith Mountainwith access from Whatcom Creek Park andBirch Street on the north, and Padden LakePark and Galbraith Lane on the south – usermaintained.Dirt hiking trail from Arroyo Park, Hemlock,and North Lost Lake Trails south through thestate park along the ridge line to South LostLake Trail.2.54.60.71.33.78.71.010.03.3124Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

33 Larrabee StatePark – CleatorRoad34 Larrabee StatePark – FragranceLake Trail35 Larrabee StatePark – South LostLake Trail36 Larrabee StatePark – Cyrus GatesOverlook37 Larrabee StatePark – SouthSummit TrailMiles of day-use trailsDirt trail extension from the south end of2.1Cleator Road around Fragance Lake to SouthLost Lake Trail then southwest to theparking lot at Clayton Beach.Dirt hiking trail from Larrabee State Park1.9campgrounds east up the hillside to0.8Fragrance Lake with a lake loop trail0.3including wetlands boardwalk, and a trailspur to a scenic overlook.Dirt trail from the end of Cleator Road east 1.6around Cyrus Gates Overlook to Lost Lake.Dirt hiking trial from the end of Cleator Roadand South Lost Lake Trail east to CyrusGates Overlook.Dirt trail from the parking lot at ClaytonBeach and Cleator Road south to DNRforestlands.Other publicly accessible 1.638 Clark’s Point Open Privately-owned dirt trail with steep access 0.9Space Trailto Chuckanut and Bellingham Bay shorelines.39 Clayton BeachTrail – PSEGravel trail in Interurban right-of-way fromInterurban Trail to Clayton Beach Dirt at the0.7Whatcom/Skagit County line.Existing day-use trails miles 96.8Proposed day-use trailssThe following trail system may be developed to provide day-use trails opportunitieson a countywide or regional basis subject to feasibility studies with appropriatepublic and private participants. The trails generally follow public road and utilityright-of-way corridors, but may be relocated onto public and/or privateproperty where owners approve.Miles of day-use trailsBellingham 29.140 Connelly Creek-SehomeArboretum TrailDirt walking trail to be improved andextended from Arroyo Park north to PaddenTrail then through Happy Valley Park,Connelly Creek Natural Area, Happy ValleyCommunity Garden, Sehome HS to SehomeHill Arboretum Trails.41 Cordata Trail Paved and gravel trail to be developed fromBellis Fair Mall north through CordataBusiness Park, Whatcom County CommunityCollege, and adjacent residentialneighborhoods to Silver Creek HeadwatersTrail.42 King-QueenMountain Trail43 Lookout-GalbraithMountain TrailDirt hiking trail to be developed from Bay toBaker Trail through Northridge Park, DNRforest parcels, and around King and QueenMountains to Silver Creek Headwaters Trail.Dirt hiking to be improved from WhatcomFalls Park south to Lake Padden Park (4.6miles) and DNR forest parcels located at thesouth end of Lake Whatcom off South BayRoad (6.5 miles).44 Padden Trail Gravel trail to be improved and extendedfrom Lake Padden Park along Padden Creekacross I-5 and through Happy Valley Park,and Fairhaven Park to the Interurban Trail.0.60.62.31.03.76.52.7125Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

Miles of day-use trails45 Samish Hill Trail Gravel trail to be developed from Whatcom 2.7Creek Trail and Civic Field south to PaddenCreek Park.46 Silver CreekHeadwaters TrailGravel trail to be developed from NorthwestAvenue east along Silver Creek to Smith &2.647 SqualicumMountain TrailNorthwest Sports Park.Gravel hiking trail to be developed fromToad Lake DFW Access east to SqualicumValley and Agate Bay.48 Smith Road Trail Gravel trail to be developed from Smith &Northwest Sports Park west across I-5 to theNooksack River Trail.49 West Silver CreekTrailGravel trail to be developed from BakerviewRoad north to Smith Road and Smith RoadTrail.Whatcom County 78.450 Sunset EquestrianParkDirt hiking trail to be developed aroundwooded and wetland area on the park and1.0west towards Birch Bay.51 South Fork Park Dirt hiking trail to be developed along theriverfront and through wooded areasbetween Acme, Overby, and Nesset Farms.52 Bertrand Creek-Berthusen Park-Fish Trap CreekTrail53 South Pass RoadTrail54 Black-BaldMountain Trail55 Nooksack RiverNorth Fork SouthSide Trail56 Nooksack RiverMiddle Fork Trail57 Skookum CreekTrailDirt hiking trail to be developed from theproposed park site on the Nooksack Rivernorth to Berthusen Park, then east to FishTrap Creek trail in Lynden.Dirt hiking trail to be extended north fromthe Bay to Baker Trail along South Pass Roadto the border viewpoints.Dirt hiking trail to be developed from SilverLake Park east on old logging roads acrossBlack and Bald Mountain into Mt BakerNational Park on USFS Trail 689.Dirt hiking trail to be developed on thesouth side of the North Fork of theNooksack River from the fish hatchery atHorse Race Creek east to Glacier and the Bayto Baker Trail.Dirt hiking trail to be developed from theend of the Middle Fork multipurpose traileast into Mt Baker National Park on Trail697.Dirt hiking trail to be developed from thefish hatchery on the South Fork east alongSkookum Creek into Mount Baker Wildernessand National Park trails.58 Stewart Mountain Dirt hiking trails to be developed on oldlogging roads and under powerlines acrossthe ridgeline of Stewart Mountain from LakeWhatcom County Park South to Park North.59 Airport TrailSystem60 ChuckanutMountain TrailEast and SouthGravel trail to be developed from CliffsideOverlook on Marine Drive through Airportand DNR Lost Lake properties to theNooksack River Trail and Slater Road.Dirt hiking and off-road mountain bikingEast Trail to be upgraded and separatedaccording to user and skill requirements andextended from Arroyo Park south overChuckanut Mountain and past Pine and2.72.32.64.05.04.06.510.04.08.08.02.73.15.1126Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

ChuckanutMountain TrailEast and South -continuedMiles of day-use trailsCedar Lakes to Lake Samish Park. South trailto be developed from Arroyo Park south overChuckanut Mountain to Pigeon Point and theInterurban Trail.61 Olsen Property Dirt hiking trail to be developed fromtrailhead on Lake Louise Road onto DNR andprivate forestlands on Lookout Mountain.62 Lummi Island Dirt hiking trail to be developed from VillagePoint north around Point Migley then southon Seacrest Drive and across the island andthrough private forestlands to Carter Pointthen north.5.012.0Total proposed day-use trails miles 107.5Multipurpose trails - cross county day-hiking segmentsExisting multipurpose trailsAs described in section 3.5, the following multipurpose trail systems have beendeveloped that provide day-hiking opportunities across the county on formerrailroad, logging road, and other established corridors.Multipurpose trail milesWhatcom County 30.81-8 Whatcom County Existing multipurpose trail corridors includeBay to Baker Trail from Maple Falls toGlacier, Nooksack River on Hovander Dike,Coast Millennium on Semiahmoo Spit,Interurban, Chuckanut Mountain Hemlockand Lost Lake, Lake Whatcom Hertz Trailand Squires Lake.30.8Bellingham 12.19-12.113Bay to Baker Trail– BellinghamSegmentExisting multipurpose trail corridors includeBay to Baker and Interurban in Bellingham,South and North Bay Trails, Railroad Trail,and Whatcom Creek Trail Lower and UpperSegments.Total existing multipurpose trails 42.9Proposed multipurpose trailsAs described in section 3.5, the following multipurpose trail system may bedeveloped to provide day-hiking opportunities across the county subject tofeasibility studies with appropriate public and private participants. The trailsgenerally follow railroad, river dike, utility right-of-way, and public roadcorridors, but may be relocated onto public and/or private property whereowners approve.Multipurpose trail milesWhatcom County 143.414-23Whatcom CountyTrail SystemsComplete and initiate development of theBay to Baker and Millennium Coast Trails,Sandy Point Trail, Bellingham Bay Trail,Lummi Island, Nooksack River, LakeWhatcom, and BNSF Rail Trails.143.4Blaine 6.424 Semiahmoo-Drayton HarborLoop TrailComplete trail development from the end ofSemiahmoo Spit around the inner DraytonHarbor shoreline.6.4Lynden 5.425 BNSF Spur Trail Develop multipurpose rail trail from the Bayto Baker Trail at Hampton parallel and southof BNSF Railroad track west to Lynden.5.4127Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

262414273251813192028211531629101133011-122117932237226317458Day-hiking - multipurpose trail segmentsExisting trails Proposed trails __ existing trails1-8 Whatcom County 14-25 Whatcom County Systems ---- proposed trails9-13 Bay to Baker - Bellingham 26 Semiahmoo/Drayton Harbor27 BNSF Spur Trail28 Mtn View Trail29-32 Bellingham Trail Systems

Multipurpose trail milesFerndale 3.626 Mtn View Trail Develop multipurpose trail from Hovander 3.6Park across the Nooksack Trail to LakeTerrell Road and a connection with the CoastMillennium Trail.Bellingham 48.327- Bellingham Trail Complete and initiate development of the 48.330 SystemsBay to Baker, Interurban, South and NorthBay, Railroad Trail, Whatcom Creek, SilverSpring-Cordata-Spring Creek, Toad Creek,Lookout Mountain, and Samish Hill-LakePadden Trails.Total proposed multipurpose trails 207.1129Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan

130Chapter 3: Plan elements – regionalWhatcom County Park, Recreation & Open Space Plan