Bellingham Parks and Recreation has announced that ¾ of a mile of new limestone trails in Cordata Park are open to the public as of May 20, 2020, exactly one year after construction began May 20, 2019. Although no onsite parking is available at this time, the public can access the park trails via the pedestrian entrances from the Cordata Parkway sidewalk.
The park is located on the east side of Cordata Parkway between Stuart and Horton Roads, in the Cordata Neighborhood. The nearest on-street parking is located on Stuart Road, .2 mile south of the park.
“This long-awaited community park located in the north end of the City will be of enormous benefit to the residents of this fast-growing area," said Mayor Seth Fleetwood. “The rolling meadows, winding trails and many bridges are just part of what is to come once the rest of the park is completed and opened to the public," Fleetwood added.
The City acquired the new 25-acre park in 2015 with voter-approved Greenway 3 Levy funds. Park development was mostly funded by park impact fees, with some additional Greenway 4 Levy funds.
Other Phase One park amenities remain under construction with a full park opening expected later this summer. In addition to the trail system, the main park development area features multiple elements not located in any other Bellingham park, such as a fully accessible playground, a parkour obstacle course, a paved bike pump track, adult outdoor fitness equipment, and the more typical amenities like a spray park, picnic shelter and restroom. Unfortunately, due to closures and other measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, none of Bellingham's spray parks will open this season.
The extensive wetland mitigation planting and park landscaping begins this Fall. The 25-acre park includes multiple wetlands and buffers, and the park development was designed to minimize impact and enhance the overall ecological function of the landscape.
Two pedestrian crossings, lane redesign, protected bike lanes, and a new Horton Road roundabout on Cordata Parkway were completed in conjunction with the park development. Three large sculptures installed at the pedestrian entrances came from the 1% for the Arts program and included allocations from both the park and road improvement projects.
Phase Two design is planned for 2020. Phase Two is anticipated to include pickleball courts, basketball court, covered stage, park pavilion, pedestrian walkways and other amenities, utility extensions, lighted parking area, and landscaping.
For more information or to sign up for future notices, please contact Jonathan Schilk at Parks and Recreation, or visit the project website.
