Stewarding the Fairhaven Park trail system we have utilized for years for the Traverse by removing invasive species, rerouting trails to improve access and restoring wetland habitat through native plantings.
New boardwalk. Photo by April Claxton
Work Parties
Wednesday, June 19th
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Fairhaven Park
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Stones Throw Brewery
Meet at the upper shelter. Bus, Bike, Walk or Carpool if you can.
If you arrive later, walk up the trail and find us in one of our Native Plant Gardens
We will be removing invasive species to protect our native plants. Tools and gloves will be provided.
Wear reasonable clothing, please.
Afterwards, we convene at Stones Throw Brewery to wind up the evening.
Wednesday, June 26th
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Fairhaven Park
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Stones Throw Brewery
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Project Background
Recreation Northwest became Park Stewards for Fairhaven Park in 2014. We chose this particular park due to the impact we have with the trail run leg of our Bellingham Traverse. We were quickly propelled into taking on a long-term project for the health of the forest and the benefit of our community.
We are proud to be working to relocate unsanctioned trails through fragile wetlands in this special urban forest. The new trail & boardwalk connects the popular park and forest. The trail was built to city specifications allowing increased and enjoyable access for people as well as protecting this important habitat for wildlife and the ecology of the forest.
In addition, 280 native trees and shrubs were planted in the old trail areas to help restore the wetland.
We will continue to host work parties to maintain the new planting areas and remove invasive species.
Phase 2 before and after:
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Phase 1 before and after:
Check out these links for photos and videos of the now completed trail & boardwalk project:
Fairhaven Park Boardwalk – Building a Boardwalk in the Snow
Fairhaven Park Boardwalk – Status Update
Fairhaven Park Boardwalk – Clearing the Path
Fairhaven Park Boardwalk – Scraping the Surface
Fairhaven Park Boardwalk – First Layer of Gravel
Special Thanks to our Professional Trail TEAM:
Gerry Wilbour, NW Trails
Perry Welch, Welch Environmental
Andy Law, Wilson Engineering
Chris Webb, Herrera Environmental Consultants
Jim LaHatt, LaHatt Engineering
John Gillaspy, Materials Testing & Consulting, Inc.
Josh Neyman, City of Bellingham, Parks and Recreation
Rae Edwards, City of Bellingham, Parks and Recreation
Fairhaven Park posts from our blog, The Confluence
Saturday, May 18th – Fairhaven Park Stewardship Work Party
Saturday, May 18th Fairhaven Park Work Party 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Facebook event Meet at the upper shelter. Bus, Bike, Walk or Carpool if you can. This work party is part of our Fairhaven Park Stewardship project. We will be removing invasive species to protect our native plants. Tools and gloves will be provided.... Read More →May 14th- Basecamp in Fairhaven Park & Stones Throw Brewery
Tuesday, May 14th 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Work Party in Fairhaven Park 6:15 pm – 7:00 pm After Party at Stones Throw Brewery Each month in Bellingham, we host our Basecamp events to bring people from the outdoor recreation industry together. This month, we’re adding something new to the mix! We’ll start the Basecamp with... Read More →Fairhaven Park Recognition Rocks
We are installing our Recognition Rocks to celebrate the donors and supporters of our Fairhaven Park Trail and Wetland Boardwalk project in our new interpretive site. The site is currently under construction to build a short rock wall that will house the engraved “recognition rocks” to display the support and partnerships that have made this... Read More →
Fairhaven Park Boardwalk Project Donors
In addition to our 100+ individual donors, we especially thank:
