Partnering with doctors and other health care providers to prescribe time outdoors. Parkscriptions connects patients with positive outdoor experiences for healthier lifestyles and improved mental and physical health. Whatcom Parkscriptions Day is Sunday, April 28.
Join Us for Whatcom Parkscriptions Day! Photo by Brandon Sawaya
Events & Locations:
Zuanich Point Park
Whatcom Parkscriptions Day Headquarters
Recreation Northwest will be joined by our Sponsors and Partners as hosts for the day’s events. Come down to the waterfront and choose one of these fun events to participate in. FREE and open to all. Download full event schedule here (PDF), or see below.
Squalicum Boathouse
2600 Harbor Loop
Bellingham, WA 98225
Zuanich Point, Information Fair
Time: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Zuanich Point, SilverSneakers demo with refreshments by Humana
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Zuanich Point, Walk with a Doc, Family Care Network
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Zuanich Point, PediCab with YMCA
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Zuanich Point, Fit School, Carol Frazey
Wear your walking/running shoes and be ready to have fun!
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Zuanich Point, Day at the Park, Girl Scouts of Western Washington
Girl Scouts of Western Washington is inviting kids to come out and use their imagination to design the “ultimate” park. What would your park have? Trails for hiking? A beach? Kids are encouraged to bring us a drawing or make a drawing at our table, and enter to win a Goldie Blox Dunk Tank Kit. We’ll also have supplies for kids to make a Honey Stick Bird Feeder, and find out about local birds that they can watch in our parks! The first 20 Girl Scouts (or girls interested in joining Girl Scouts) that visit us, and complete our activities will receive a “Day at the Park” patch.
Time: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Whatcom Park Finder: Zuanich Point Park
Events at Independent Locations Around Whatcom County
Participate in any of these FREE activities, open to the public. Details below. Join us outside on April 28th, to get your dose of nature!
Stimpson Nature Reserve, SMART TRIP Bus Trip and Walk
SMART TRIP bus ride to Stimpson Nature Reserve for a walk in the woods. The bus trip is FREE of charge.
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Registration required/space limited: More details and event registration with SMART TRIPS or call: 360 756-8747
Whatcom Park Finder: Stimpson Nature Reserve map
Whatcom Park Finder: Stimpson Nature Reserve map
Fairhaven Park, A Walk in the Park, Michael Chiavario, Chuckanut Community Forest Park Steward
Join Michael on a walk through the woods and learn about the history and future plans for the area, flora and fauna, and topography. A few maps will provided for participants to share. Meet near near the trailhead above the upper shelter at the southeast corner of the park.
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Fairhaven Park
Join Michael on a walk through the woods and learn about the history and future plans for the area, flora and fauna, and topography. A few maps will provided for participants to share. Meet near near the trailhead above the upper shelter at the southeast corner of the park.
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Fairhaven Park
Lincoln Park, Disc Golf Demonstration, Whatcom Disc Golf Club
Whatcom Disc Golf Club will lead a demonstration of disc golf through the Blaine Disc Golf course at Lincoln Park.
Time: 10:00 pm – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 2 – Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Lincoln Park
Whatcom Disc Golf Club will lead a demonstration of disc golf through the Blaine Disc Golf course at Lincoln Park.
Time: 10:00 pm – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 2 – Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Lincoln Park
Hovander Park, Walk with a Doc, Dr. Meg Lelonek, Family Health Associates, Family Care Network
Dr. Lelonek will lead a walk through Hovander Park, stopping along the way to take in the special points of interest the park has to offer. Great for Seniors and families. Enter park via the main entrance (River Lea Road), meet near the garden.
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Whatcom Park Finder: Hovander Park map
Dr. Lelonek will lead a walk through Hovander Park, stopping along the way to take in the special points of interest the park has to offer. Great for Seniors and families. Enter park via the main entrance (River Lea Road), meet near the garden.
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Whatcom Park Finder: Hovander Park map
Lake Padden, Nutrition Therapy, Jennifer Berdinka, PeaceHealth Medical Group
Take a walk with Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator through the woods at Lake Padden. East entrance. Meet at the shelter by the playground.
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Lake Padden map
Take a walk with Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator through the woods at Lake Padden. East entrance. Meet at the shelter by the playground.
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Lake Padden map
Lake Padden, Womxn’s Mountain Bike Ride, Shifting Gears
Join Shifting Gears for a leisurely bike ride around Lake Padden. This is perfect for womxn who are interested in learning to mountain bike, try a new sport or are looking to riding again after many years off a bicycle. Bicycles and helmets will be provided. East entrance. Meet at the dog park parking lot.
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Difficulty: 2 – Moderate
Bicycles and helmets will be provided.
Registration required: Please sign up LetsShiftGears.com/Biking as they only have a limited number of bikes.
Join Shifting Gears for a leisurely bike ride around Lake Padden. This is perfect for womxn who are interested in learning to mountain bike, try a new sport or are looking to riding again after many years off a bicycle. Bicycles and helmets will be provided. East entrance. Meet at the dog park parking lot.
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Difficulty: 2 – Moderate
Bicycles and helmets will be provided.
Registration required: Please sign up LetsShiftGears.com/Biking as they only have a limited number of bikes.
Whatcom Falls Park, Forest Bathing, Carolyn Watson
Learn the basic theory and practice of Japanese Forest Bathing as you walk through the park. The pace of the walk will be leisurely, with particular emphasis on breathing. From Lakeway Drive take Silver Beach Road. Meet at the parking lot near the playground.
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Whatcom Falls Park map
Learn the basic theory and practice of Japanese Forest Bathing as you walk through the park. The pace of the walk will be leisurely, with particular emphasis on breathing. From Lakeway Drive take Silver Beach Road. Meet at the parking lot near the playground.
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Whatcom Falls Park map
Whatcom Falls Park, A Walk in the Park, Bellingham Greenways
Former Bellingham Parks & Recreation and Greenways staff, Tim Wahl, will lead a walk through time on a historic landscape tour of one of his favorite and the city’s most popular park. From Lakeway Drive take Silver Beach Road. Meet at the parking lot near the playground.
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Whatcom Falls Park map
Former Bellingham Parks & Recreation and Greenways staff, Tim Wahl, will lead a walk through time on a historic landscape tour of one of his favorite and the city’s most popular park. From Lakeway Drive take Silver Beach Road. Meet at the parking lot near the playground.
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Difficulty: 2- Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Whatcom Falls Park map
Cordata Park, Vamos Community Family Picnic, Andy Basabe
Vamos Outdoors will be hosting a picnic for local families. Vamos Outdoors Project is a Bellingham nonprofit working to provide access to environmental education and outdoor leadership experiences to underserved communities in Whatcom County, specifically Latinx and ELL (English Language Learner) youth.
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Whatcom Park Finder: Cordata Park & Open Space
Vamos Outdoors will be hosting a picnic for local families. Vamos Outdoors Project is a Bellingham nonprofit working to provide access to environmental education and outdoor leadership experiences to underserved communities in Whatcom County, specifically Latinx and ELL (English Language Learner) youth.
Time: 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Whatcom Park Finder: Cordata Park & Open Space
Events at Bellingham Senior Activity Center
Bellingham Senior Activity Center, Longevity Stick
The “Longevity Stick” regime incorporates a series of 12 movements designed to improve balance, flexibility, strength, mental focus, breathing capacity, and vitality. This activity is a low-impact exercise done while standing, using a long, one-inch diameter dowel (or stick), that reduces the risk of injury while improving circulation and balance. 315 Halleck Street, Bellingham.
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Instruction Provided
The “Longevity Stick” regime incorporates a series of 12 movements designed to improve balance, flexibility, strength, mental focus, breathing capacity, and vitality. This activity is a low-impact exercise done while standing, using a long, one-inch diameter dowel (or stick), that reduces the risk of injury while improving circulation and balance. 315 Halleck Street, Bellingham.
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Instruction Provided
Bellingham Senior Activity Center, Bocce Ball
BSAC members will lead Bocce games on their lawn. Two courts available.
315 Halleck Street, Bellingham.
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Instruction Provided
BSAC members will lead Bocce games on their lawn. Two courts available.
315 Halleck Street, Bellingham.
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Instruction Provided
Bellingham Senior Activity Center, Maritime Heritage Park Walk
Round Trip Walk from BSAC to Maritime Heritage Park on the Whatcom Creek Trail. Meet at the Senior Center, 315 Halleck Street, Bellingham.
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Whatcom Park Finder: Maritime Heritage Park
Round Trip Walk from BSAC to Maritime Heritage Park on the Whatcom Creek Trail. Meet at the Senior Center, 315 Halleck Street, Bellingham.
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Whatcom Park Finder: Maritime Heritage Park
Events at WA State Parks
A Walk with a Ranger, Peace Arch Historical State Park
Take a walking tour with a Washington State Park Ranger. Learn about the history of the Peace Arch as well as how to operate a park in two countries. Total distance about 600 yards. Open for all ages. Meet in the parking lot near the interpretive kiosk. 19 A St. Blaine, WA 98231
Time: April 27, 10am; April 28, 1pm
Difficulty: 1 – Easy, ADA Accessible
Whatcom Park Finder: Peace Arch Historical State Park
Sunset Tidepool Walk with a Ranger, Larrabee State Park
Join Rangers on a sunset walk of the tidepools at the beach. Visitors will learn about different plant and animal species, the intertidal zone, and watch a beautiful sunset over the San Juan islands. Trail includes stairs, slopes, and possibly slippery rocks. Open to all ages. Children must be supervised by an adult. Meet at the band shell. 245 Chuckanut Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229.
Time: 7pm until sunset
Difficulty: 2 – Moderate
Whatcom Park Finder: Larrabee State Park
Program Descriptions:
Walk with a Doc– with local providers that use this program in their practice
A Walk in the Park– featuring local subject matter experts on the park and amenities
Park Ranger Walk– a Nature walk led by the resident Park Ranger
Forest Bathing– is the healing way of simply being in the forest
PediCab with YMCA– a free pedicab service to people with low mobility
Fit School – Carol Frazey works together with you to help reach a new level of fitness
Vamos Outdoor Project – provides access to environmental education and outdoor leadership experiences to Latinx and ELL (English Language Learner) youth.
Whatcom Smart Trips– a partnership to promote transportation by walking, bicycling, sharing rides, and riding the bus.
Bellingham Senior Activity Center – offers programs that enrich the lives of seniors in Bellingham and promote healthy aging.
Parkscriptions Day Sponsors:
Want to be a sponsor? Download the 2019 Whatcom Parkscriptions Day Sponsorship Kit (PDF)
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Parkscriptions Day Partners:
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Vamos Outdoors Project |
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Parkscriptions posts from our blog, The Confluence
April Dose of Parkscriptions
Here’s your monthly dose of Parkscriptions articles and inspiration: Articles: De-Stress in Nature: The Mental Health Benefits of Connecting With the Great Outdoors!– RTOR by Jason Kaefer The benefits of nature have been with us from the dawn of our species, though it slips our mind as we are absorbed in a world of flashing gadgets and blaring... Read More →Washington State Parks partners with healthcare providers to prescribe nature
Washington State Parks partners with healthcare providers to prescribe nature Park Rx? ‘Take a walk in the park and call me in the morning’ OLYMPIA – April 15, 2019 – Washington State Parks is proud to announce the launch of its Park Rx program, in time for National Park Rx Day on April 28. More... Read More →Sunday, April 28th Take Your Pick: Whatcom Parkscriptions Day Event Listings
Whatcom Parkscriptions Day is an opportunity for the people in our community to connect with positive outdoor experiences, and reap the many proven health benefits of time spent in nature. There will be a number of FREE hosted events at popular public parks throughout Whatcom County. This celebration is in partnership with the National Parks Service and National Parks... Read More →
