As we say goodbye to 2022, we’d like to extend our thanks to all of our community partners, volunteers (including our own board of directors) and our generous donors. Here’s a brief “end of year” update on where your support has got us in the past year!
Outdoor Classroom Project Status update
We are planning to break ground next week to start the first phase of building our Outdoor Classroom! All of our permits are in place and we’re ready to rock and roll!!
For those wondering about the orange fencing alongside the Fairhaven Park -18th Street connector trail, we installed our safety fencing around our Outdoor Classroom. Outdoor Classroom Project Overview (PDF)
We are planning to break ground next week! See the pics: Safety Fencing in Fairhaven Park Outdoor Classroom project area
Parkscriptions at Options High School
This project is a new collaborative partnership between Recreation Northwest and Bellingham School District’s Options High School faculty for outdoor education experiences for their students to get a “Parkscription”. We will be working with OHS teachers in their Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes to improve the health of students through nature exposure, mindfulness practices, and place-based education.
Parkscriptions at Options High School (PDF)
Bellingham Alive!
A nice summary of our work, where we’ve been, and where we’re headed. Thank you to Cocoa Laney at Bellingham Alive! Magazine for the article in the January 2023 issue that shines a SPOTLIGHT ON RECREATION NORTHWEST. It is part of a larger collection of “Pacific Northwest Health Perks” covered in the issue. This is a sneak peek- the article hasn’t been published online as of Dec. 29th.
Spotlight on Recreation Northwest – Bellingham Alive January 2023
Closing the Books on 2022
We appreciate the generous support from individuals and businesses in our community. Please consider a gift to Recreation Northwest as we wind out the year. Funds will go towards the creation of our Outdoor Classroom for the public in Fairhaven Park. Thank you.

Todd Elsworth is one of the many “Mossy-haired lunatics roaming the dripping peninsulas”, described in “I’m Here for the Weather” by Tom Robbins. As executive director, he works to fulfill our mission to teach the health benefits of nature, promote outdoor recreation, and steward the places where we play.