Seagulls cry out
as they circle above the waves that crash against the rocks of the shoreline.
Foam lingers on the rocks as waves return to the ocean while the seagulls
continue to cry out.
The excited
squeals of children ring out as they race across the grass to board the pirate
ship, ready to begin the next great adventure. Laughter sounds as toddlers
build sandcastles with parents only to smash them back into oblivion and begin
again.
This is what is
often seen at Boulevard Park. Many Bellingham residents regularly come to spend
time at the park, enjoying the amenities that the park provides.
“Boulevard is good
place to relax. It is in a good location and it has great views,” said Kyle
Willis, a Bellingham resident.
Boulevard Park’s
current environment is courtesy of a recent update that was completed at the
end of the summer in 2013. The changes to the park’s environment aren’t
finished yet; Bellingham intends to construct an over-water walkway from Cornwall
Avenue to Boulevard Park.
The walkway will extend from the north
end of Boulevard Park to Cornwall Avenue. The intended purpose of the over-water
walkway is to help fulfill the desire of more access to waterfronts and
facilities that Bellingham residents have according to the city of Bellingham.
“The over-water
walkway will be approximately 2,400 feet long, and the design includes steel
piling, concrete walkways, and wood and steel guardrails,” said Gina Austin, a
project engineer from the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department.
The idea of the
over-water walkway between Boulevard Park and Cornwall Avenue was originally
presented by the city in June 2008 and was inspired by the over water
connection between the park and the Taylor Avenue dock, which was completed in
2005, according to the city of Bellingham.
According to the
city of Bellingham, since 2008 the over-water walkway has undergone a
feasibility study and several assessments to ensure the preservation of the intended
environmental area, including preserving the pre-existing habitat of aquatic
species.
With environmental
permits having been filed for in 2010, the over-water walkway is currently in
the design and permitting phase, according to the city of Bellingham.
Those who frequent
Boulevard Park are interested by the idea of the over-water walkway between the
park and Cornwall Avenue.
Chris Welch, a
Bellingham resident, said that the park is perfect the way it is, but enjoys
the idea of being able to walk from Cornwall Avenue to Boulevard Park.
Katy Ritz-Beck, a regular
visitor to Bellingham from Kansas City, is also excited about the over-water
walkway.
“I think that it’s
phenomenal that the city has the vision of developing the waterfront, it’s a
wonderful idea. I hope the walkway will be finished soon,” said Ritz-Beck.
Since 1980,
Boulevard Park has been a staple for views that the residents of the South Hill
neighborhood in addition to other residents of Bellingham have enjoyed. Over
the years visitors like Ritz-Beck have also been entranced by the views from
the park.
Boulevard Park was
dedicated in 1980, though the land wasn’t always a place to come to with a
family in tow.
“In the 1890’s,
the hill that the [South Hill] neighborhood sits on was completely bald.
Bellingham was a logging town and this area was where a mill was housed,” said
Wally Sgalitzer, a South Hill resident and private contractor.
Sgalizter
regularly comes to Boulevard Park to walk his dog and enjoys the recent changes
that the park has undergone.
The recent changes
that the park has undergone are removing a section of the rocky coastline to
replace it with a partially sandy beach and to replace the old play structure
with of a pirate ship.
“I’m really
pleased with the changes that the park has had. I think that the park is more
people friendly, more family friendly, too. The sand area is usually full with
kids and families with small children,” Ritz-Beck said.
Before the update
for the beach and playground in 2013, the park received a pavilion in an update
in 2009. The pavilion is open for general public use for activities such as
picnics and is also used for musical performances, according to the city of
Bellingham.
Boulevard Park is
open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is located on Bayview Drive. Boulevard
Park offers amenities including: picnic tables, barbeque grills, viewpoints,
interpretive displays, and others. The park also hosts a location of The Woods
Coffee.
