The City of Bellingham will purchase 66 acres of undeveloped property on the southern end of the Samish Crest to connect existing open space with Lake Padden Park.
The $4 million purchase, approved by Bellingham City Council on Monday, Feb. 10, will be funded by the voter-approved Greenways Levy, which collects more than $9 million per year.
The Samish Crest, a wooded ridge between Interstate 5 and Yew Street Road, is spiderwebbed with unofficial trails used by dog walkers, birdwatchers and cyclists. Aside from one 111-acre property slated for housing development, much of the Crest is public land, but a cluster of private parcels bisect the city’s North Samish Crest Open Space and South Samish Crest Open Space.
In early March, the city is expected to close on four of the parcels, currently owned by several entities, to connect the north and south open spaces.
(Image courtesy of City of Bellingham GIS)
According to the Bellingham Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan, which is being updated this year, and the Greenways Strategic Plan adopted in 2022, a north-south trail connection between Whatcom Falls Park and Lake Padden on the Crest, with wayfinding signs, dog waste stations, and parking at different neighborhood trailheads, is a high priority.
In addition to adding to Bellingham’s park system, the acquisition will help protect the Lake Padden watershed, preserve tree canopy and support wildlife habitat, city communications director Melissa Morin wrote in an email to Cascadia Daily News.
Morin said there aren’t yet detailed plans for the future trail network, but the city has budgeted for a master planning process for the Samish Crest in 2026, which will include wayfinding and trail planning.
Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that happens to cross her desk; contact her at juliatellman@cascadiadaily.com.
