We are fortunate to get the support of Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery for our Stewardship work in Fairhaven Park. They contributed funds to support our ongoing care of our mitigation work and Native Plant Gardens. In appreciation, we installed a bench in our Upper Meadow area. 

This bench installation project is the intersection of our Stewardship work and @Parkscriptions programming. We are taking care of our native plants and providing a place of solitude to soak in the sights and sounds of nature.

Thank you to Bellingham Parks staff for installing the gravel path and bench. We (my daughter Violet) used some of the downed alder trees to outline the edges. We will be working to replace the wood with a sandstone edge. 

View of the bench from behind: 

View looking across the garden towards the entrance: 

We have our Native Plant Gardens fenced off to keep the deer and other critters out to keep our plants alive and growing! So, in order to get inside the fenced planting area, we need to put a more legitimate gate. We commissioned Mike McAuley to design & build the structure at the entrance. Needless to say, WE WENT BIG! Which meant that I had a BIG DIG of my own to support his creation. 

On the way down. Here’s the post hole digger resting in the ground. My goal was to get four feet in the ground to support the welcoming structure. 

Next, we were ready to enlist the “giggle crew”. Ella Bach, on left and Violet Elsworth (my daughter), right are “Besties” and always have fun together- no matter what it is they are doing. After a snack and entertaining random passers-by on our nearby Rock Bench with some Tic-Toc dances- they got into work mode and mixed and poured the cement to lay a solid foundation for our gate. 

Teamwork! 

Disclaimer: Yes, like the Rock Bench with Chris Mellick, I chose my close friend Mike McAuley to design the entrance way.

We talked about how we want this gate to be a point of reverence to the Japanese and their practice of Shinrin-Yoku. It is a similar practice known as “Nature therapy, aka ecotherapy, which describes a broad group of techniques or treatments with the intention of improving an individual’s mental or physical health, specifically with an individual’s presence within nature or outdoor surroundings.” Wikipedia.

The influence for the simplistic design gives reverence for the Japanese Torii style- symbolically marking the transition from the mundane to the sacred. It’s going to be super neat when it’s finished! 

If you want Mike to design/build/install something cool for you…

 

Well, Mike hasn’t “actually” launched this business, yet! But it’s coming. 😉 XO 2 MM, te

Get in touch with Mike McAuley on Facebook. 

This is a project announcement and construction status update. Stay tuned when it’s ready to go check out! 

Thank you Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery, our volunteers and donors. 

Help us with our Stewardship of Fairhaven Park.