Squalicum Creek Park Update

Squalicum Creek Park in the Birchwood neighborhood of Bellingham is currently undergoing its final stage in a large, six year construction project. Phase 3 of the master plan for the 35-acre park

            Work began in March to make the last major changes to the park. According to the Phase 3 master plan provided by the city, one of the larger changes is a new lighted ball field next to the current one, though Birchwood Neighborhood Association Board Member and Birchwood Elementary School teacher Kelly Morgan said “I personally don’t think we need more baseball fields in the North End.  The current field often stands empty.” Another Board Member, Christy Nieto, agreed, and said that after attending informational meetings about the project, where most of the attendees were Birchwood residents, that “the majority of them, more than 90 percent, are against the city’s plan to add more ballparks to Squalicum.”

According to the master plan for the entire park, the original proposal was for two additional fields to be built in the park. “It seems to me and to other neighbors that there are not enough softball and baseball games happening to warrant the extra ball fields,” said Nieto. The Phase 3 plan only shows one additional ball field planned for construction, while the space that was originally the site of a third ball field is now labeled as possible future development.

Other improvements include a playground, park benches and picnic tables with a future phase picnic shelter and pavilion, a dog off-leash area, a perimeter trail, a basketball court, and additional restrooms. Some smaller additions include supplementary lighting on walkways and a trail connecting the park to the Bay to Baker trail. Walkways will be improved, the current baseball field will be getting lights, lighted parking will be added, and a storage building will be converted into a park management facility. The park will also be getting a face-lift with extensive landscaping and removal of concrete slabs.

            While improvements are underway, other changes are being made. For quite some time there has been a very large hill in the middle of the park; an earth deposit dumped in the park intended for the construction of the second ball field on the master plan. It became its own form of recreation for park-goers, but now that construction for the second field is underway the dirt is being used and the hill is disappearing. “The parks department received hundreds of yards of free fill for the new ball fields several years ago,” said Stephanie Twiford, another Birchwood Neighborhood Association Board Member. Twiford said that the resulting hill “became one of the most loved parts of the park.” This hill was used at different times of the year for different purposes. “It was used in the winter by kids sledding, in the spring during the mountain bike portion of the ski to sea race, year round by the neighborhood by people walking dogs... so it was sad when it had to go.”

Morgan also mentioned the hill in her complaints about the construction of the park. “We liked the dog walk area and the sledding hill as it was and many, many neighborhood people used these areas,” Morgan said. Twiford stated that “several people lobbied the parks department to change the plan, however the plan was set in stone and the hill is slowly being removed.”

Construction has also affected the daily lives of the Bellingham citizens living in the Birchwood area. Since construction has begun and land is being cleared the park has been closed and fenced off. “We have a walking neighborhood, and everyone misses not being able to walk through the park,” Twiford said.

Morgan voiced some doubts about the master plan for the park. “We have density without enough green space and open areas,” said Morgan. The only planned open green space in the master plan for the park is a small play meadow, a large empty space for future development, and a multipurpose field.

Despite these voices concerns, Nieto said that the Parks and Recreation Department “did not seem willing to alter or request changes on our behalf.” Nieto did also add that “we neighbors understand that this is a city park and not a neighborhood park.”

This phase of the project is being funded by the Greenway Levy 3 Funds at a bid price of about $3.1 million. The Greenway Program is specifically aimed at obtaining open space to develop parks and make trails and is funded by a voter-approved property-tax levy. Projects using these funds are approved by voters and the City Council. The first phase was paid for by a Washington State Grant of about $1.5 million. The Phase 2 main project, the salmon habitat called Willow Spring, was funded by a Department of Ecology Centennial grant through the Department of Public Works, though the amount of the grant is not given by the city.

Phase 1, which included the installation of a ballpark, restrooms, and parking, was completed in 2008. Phase 2 was completed in 2010 with the addition of a salmon enhancement project and some trail work. Phase 3 is scheduled to be complete in December of this year.