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What’s the Deal With: The Fairhaven Park labyrinth?

Stone circle meant for walking, meditation

An aerial view of the Fairhaven Park's labyrinth.
The Fairhaven Park labyrinth was constructed in 2011. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
By Hailey Hoffman Visual Journalist

Nestled up on the hill by Fairhaven Park lies a magically twisty labyrinth for all park-goers to enjoy.

The labyrinth appeared in 2010 after Project Labyrinth — a nonprofit community group — spent several years working with the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department to find a location. Project Labyrinth secured funding and permits for the installation of the stone-made circle at the popular park, according to parks and recreation documents.

The 57-foot-wide stone circle is built from red bricks and square cement pavers with a flower in the center, marking the end of the labyrinth’s trail. Due to drainage issues, the labyrinth also provides multiple rain gardens — small depressions in the landscape with native plants to collect runoff.

Labyrinths can be found all over the world and have been constructed by humans for thousands of years. Their circuitous paths to the center of a circle serve as a structured walking path for meditation or prayer. 

To use a labyrinth, people simply enter from the end of the trail and walk at their desired pace, staying between the bricks, until it ends in the center. Prayer or meditation is encouraged to clear the mind. 


WTD is published online Mondays and in print Fridays. Have a suggestion for a “What’s the Deal With?” inquiry? Email us at newstips@cascadiadaily.com.

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