Bellingham Parks & Recreation Leisure Guide
Issue link: https://bpr.uberflip.com/i/440573
Bloedel Shoreline Improvements Happy New Year! 2014 was a very productive year for Bellingham Parks and Recreation and we are pleased to announce that the new beach at Bloedel Donovan Park is open for your enjoyment This project started in September with the removal of a failing concrete bulkhead along the shoreline, which has been replaced with a sand and gravel beach to protect the park from erosion Removal of the "hard" concrete bulkhead and replacement with a "soft" sand and gravel beach allows for a widened beach area to dissipate wave energy and provides more beach area for habitat and humans The new sand and gravel shoreline is more sustainable as it allows water to permeate through the carefully sized rock and sand material while retaining and preserving the natural appearance of the beach The new beach is also a great place to hand launch non-motorized watercraft and play! We also completed a stormwater improvement project at Bloedel Donovan Park that captures and filters stormwater runoff in a special mix of sand and underground gravel This special mix of sand and gravel provides up to 91% reduction of undesirable nutrients such as phosphorus and bacteria from entering the lake Keeping this bad stuff out of the lake is another step to help to improve the health of our primary drinking water source Shoreline and stormwater improvements were funded by the Bellingham Public Works Department, Washington State Department of Ecology Stormwater Grant, and Aquatic Land Enhancement Account grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board The Whatcom Rowing Association also completed construction of a new non-motorized boathouse at the park, which was funded all by donations Downtown Space Available Bellingham Parks and Recreation is seeking partners to offer activities and programs at Maritime Heritage Park in downtown Bellingham Available spaces include the Environmental Learning Center which offers 725 square feet of classroom or meeting space and private restroom, an amphitheater with seating, restrooms, and spacious open space For more information, please contact Amanda Grove: agrove@cob org or 778-7000 9 bellingham parks & recreation • 3424 meridian st • bellingham, wa 98225 • cob/org/recreation • 360.778.7000 • bellingham parks & recreation • 3424 meridian st • bellingham, wa 98225 • cob/org/recreation • 360.778.7000 • bellingham parks & recreation • 3424 meridian st The failing retaining wall was removed and replaced with a sand surface that reduces the amount of phosphorus and bacteria entering our drinking water. The new shoreline also provides better recreational access to the water. BEFORE AFTER