Boulevard Park | Bellingham

Boulevard Park – A Detailed Exploration

Boulevard Park is one of Bellingham, Washington’s most cherished public spaces. Located on the eastern edge of Bellingham Bay between the Fairhaven Historic District and downtown, this waterfront park serves as both a natural retreat and a cultural gathering place. Its transformation from a heavily industrialized site into a scenic and environmentally restored park is a model of community-driven urban renewal.

Historical Context and Evolution

The land where Boulevard Park now sits was once dominated by heavy industry. Beginning in the late 1800s, the shoreline hosted operations including a coal gasification plant, sawmills, and salmon canneries. Much of the area was used by the E.K. Wood Lumber Company, one of Bellingham’s largest lumber exporters in the early 20th century. The legacy of this industrial past left the land and bay waters severely polluted, with debris, coal tar, and toxic byproducts deeply embedded in the soil and sediment.

The concept of reclaiming the area as a public park took shape in the 1970s through grassroots advocacy, particularly from the Bellingham Rotary Club and citizen groups concerned with environmental restoration. Boulevard Park officially opened in 1980, though restoration and improvements have continued for decades.

In recent years, focused environmental remediation has been completed, including shoreline stabilization, removal of contaminants, and ecological restoration to support intertidal species, especially juvenile salmon.

Natural Features and Environmental Restoration

Today, Boulevard Park offers a gentle, naturalized coastline interwoven with soft landscaping, forest patches, and pebble-strewn pocket beaches. The restoration has focused on:

Replacing concrete and rock barriers with native beach materials like sand, gravel, and cobbles.

Installing drift sills and vegetated dunes to prevent erosion while supporting natural plant growth.

Encouraging marine life through improved water quality and natural shoreline contours.

These efforts have allowed salmon fry, shorebirds, and marine invertebrates to return to an area that was once ecologically barren. Native trees, including alder, Douglas fir, and shore pine, now frame the park’s walking trails, and interpretive signs explain the region’s flora and fauna to visitors.

Recreational Amenities and Activities

Boulevard Park is designed for both passive enjoyment and active recreation. Key features include:

1. Waterfront Boardwalk and Trails

The most iconic feature is the over-water boardwalk-a curved, timber-framed path that connects Boulevard Park with Taylor Dock and the South Bay Trail, extending north toward downtown Bellingham and south to Fairhaven. The boardwalk offers sweeping views of Bellingham Bay, Lummi Island, and occasional orca sightings.

Benches, lookouts, and mounted binoculars along the boardwalk invite slow travel and observation.

2. Grassy Lawns and Picnic Areas

Open lawns are scattered with picnic tables, grills, and shaded areas, perfect for family outings and community events.

There are sheltered picnic pavilions for group gatherings and birthday parties.

3. Woods Coffee

A locally owned café set in a repurposed historic steam plant from the old lumber mill. It offers seating inside and out, directly facing the bay. It’s a favorite spot for locals to relax, read, or work while enjoying coastal views.

4. Children’s Playground

A recently upgraded play area with nature-inspired features such as wooden climbing structures and swings is available for children. It’s adjacent to picnic zones, making it a popular family area.

5. Beaches and Access Points

Several small beaches are accessible for wading, kayaking, beachcombing, and watching wildlife. Though not suitable for swimming due to cold waters, they are perfect for tidepooling and shoreline exploration.

6. Performance Stage and Events Area

An open-air stage is used for music concerts, Shakespeare in the Park, dance performances, and seasonal festivals. In summer, it's a hub of community engagement with people gathering for sunset concerts or cultural programs.

Ecological and Civic Design

The park has been designed to reflect both the environmental and civic values of Bellingham:

Pervious pathways and native plant landscaping support stormwater filtration.

Low-level lighting ensures minimal disruption to nocturnal wildlife while keeping the trails visible at night.

Restoration signage educates the public on the area’s transformation from a polluted industrial site to a thriving natural and public space.

Infrastructure updates in the last decade include:

A new public restroom facility built with ADA-accessibility and seismic safety in mind.

Removal of the old railroad overpass that once divided the park, replaced with accessible surface trails.

Continued trail maintenance along the Interurban Trail and South Bay Trail connections.

Seasonal Attractions and Community Life

Boulevard Park is not just a passive green space-it is alive with Bellingham’s community rhythm:

In summer, the lawns become stages for yoga sessions, fire-spinning gatherings, and community drum circles.

Fall and winter draw visitors for storm watching, with dramatic cloudscapes and crashing waves along the dock.

Spring brings blooming native plants and the return of migratory birds, making it a hotspot for photographers and birdwatchers.

The community often organizes cleanup days, shoreline restoration projects, and art installations throughout the year, fostering stewardship and creative expression in the park.

Accessibility and Transportation

Boulevard Park is designed to be inclusive and easily reachable:

Free parking lots are located at both north and south entrances, with overflow parking nearby in Fairhaven.

Bike racks and repair stations make it cyclist-friendly.

Wide, paved trails and boardwalks ensure smooth access for wheelchairs and strollers, with multiple ramps and railings.

Accessible public transport connects the park via the WTA bus system, with stops nearby on 11th Street and Boulevard.

Visual and Sensory Experience

The park is oriented westward, making it one of the best places in Bellingham for:

Sunset viewing-the sky often turns shades of gold, orange, and purple as the sun dips behind Lummi Island.

Ocean sounds and scents-gentle waves lap against the boardwalk, and the scent of sea salt, driftwood, and pine trees permeates the air.

Changing seasons-each visit can look and feel different, from warm summer sunsets to moody gray winter mornings.

Summary

Boulevard Park is more than a local green space-it’s a symbol of environmental renewal, community pride, and urban resilience. Blending restored natural beauty with cultural vibrancy, it offers visitors a place to reflect, connect, and explore. Whether arriving by bike, on foot via the boardwalk, or with a coffee in hand, every corner of the park reflects thoughtful design and a deep respect for Bellingham’s landscape and community spirit.