Bellingham Parks & Recreation Leisure Guide
Issue link: https://bpr.uberflip.com/i/1506429
1 Director's Letter cob.org/parks • (360) 778–7000 1 Happy Fall! This is my favorite time of year. I love the changing colors, the crunch of leaves, the sunrise dew and the evening chill. For me, fall always offers the opportunity to assess what is going on in my life and recalibrate, focus and recenter. It seems only a few months ago that I was writing my fall Director's letter — and yet an entire year has passed! Where did that time go? Where should my energy be directed to better get me where I want to go? What am I longing to do more of in my life? What about you? How are you spending your precious time in this beautiful place? What is draining your time with no benefit to you or the people and things you care about? There are so many ways to waste time, but even more ways to enjoy and spend time doing the things you love. What fun ways are you recreating these days? I admit to taking up pickleball, and although it is fun, I am quite terrible, so I need to practice. I also got a paddleboard for my anniversary present thanks to my sweet husband, and my dog loves to ride with me as long as we don't go too far from shore. He puts his front paws into the water to dog-paddle and help us get where we are going. Who or what helps inspire you to get where you want to go? These are good questions to ask in the fall, because redirecting your attention and efforts now will send you straight into a contented winter. Imagine what you want – picture it in your mind – then draw this picture or describe it in words. It is a great way to focus intention. Clarifying intentions is a great way to achieve your goals. I recently heard a quote that made a lot of sense to me: "the only way to achieve freedom is with discipline." I hope you find some inspiration this fall in our Playbook that will set you free! Now go out and have fun! Sincerely, Nicole C. Oliver Parks & Recreation Director A CHANGE OF SEASONS! Photo by Jan Chapman Photo by AJ Barse We acknowledge that we gather on territory that has been the traditional and ancestral homeland to the Lhaq'temish (the Lummi people), the Nooksack people, and other Coast Salish tribes of this region Since Time Immemorial. We honor our shared responsibility to this land and these waters, we commit to learning from Indigenous wisdom, and we strive to repair and deepen our relationships as neighbors and friends. Front Cover Photo by Bri Sullivan