In spring, Bellingham abounds with vibrant color andcommunity. Bellingham Parks andRecreation helps cultivate this seasonal reverie with their literal gardenvariety of green public spaces.
Bellingham’s public gardens range from parks to plots. Inthe neighborhoods, garden parks such as Gossage Garden, Cornwall Rose Garden,and Big Rock Garden Park complement urban and natural surroundings with theirintricate designs.
“They offer a little bit more of an organized and curatedspace within our regular parks system,” says Parks Development Manager NicoleOliver. “But they also require more careful maintenance, and that’s why there’soften volunteers that help us take care of them.”
On the flipside of curation, community gardens allowresidents to transform land in the City’s care.
“The community gardens are a great way for people to rent aplot of land that’s sunny,” Oliver says. “They have access to compost and waterand fences to prevent the deer from coming in and they can create their ownindividual and unique garden each year.”
Whether you wish to see, smell, or sow gardens, the City ofBellingham provides many meditative yet lively public spaces to enjoy.
GossageGarden
“Gossage Garden is really an improved right-of-way that wasadopted by the Lettered Streets neighborhood,” Oliver says, adding, “It’s justa pretty little corner that has some flower beds and it just kind of beautifiesthat main intersection.”
Park steward Judy Buchanan established Gossage Gardenbetween Cornwall Avenue, Alabama and F Streets in 1993, commemorating LetteredStreets pharmacist Glen Gossage. The pocket park’s flowers, drinking fountain,and donor bricks have made it popular for casual gatherings and the Ski to SeaParade.
“Gossage Garden is definitely a neighborhood function ofthe Lettered StreetsNeighborhood Association,” says Oliver. “We have work parties there, aswell, to help with weed control and maintenance.”
Gossage Garden volunteers include Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Whatcom Community College service-learning students. It has won first, second, and third in the Whatcom County in Bloom garden contest.
BigRock Garden Park
Silver Beach neighborhood’s Big Rock Garden Park isBellingham’s largest garden at 2.5 acres. George and Mary Ann Drake started thesculpture garden in 1981, donating it to the City in 1993. Today, Big RockGarden displays 37 sculptures from locally- and internationally-renownedartists.
“Spring in Big Rock Garden is exceptional because of therhododendrons and azaleas that are all in bloom,” Oliver says, adding, “Due tothe sculptures, there’s also really a botanical garden experience in that park.”
Big Rock visitors can wander winding paths throughevergreens, 100 Japanese maple species, and a Wildlife Friendly Garden ofnative prairie plants. Volunteer organization Friends of Big Rock Gardenmaintains plants, sculptures, and the park’s Mother’s Day celebration.
CornwallRose Garden
Between Illinois Street and Cornwall Avenue, Cornwall Rose Garden celebrates the United States’ national flower. Visitors can see climbers, floribundas, grandifloras, and hybrid teas in bloom. The City of Bellingham encourages visitors to leave roses for others’ enjoyment.
Cornwall Rose Garden began in 1916, complementing theformer Fairhaven Rose Garden from 1917 to 1998 until deer forced the latter’sclosure. A longstanding part of Cornwall Park, Cornwall Rose Garden is belovedby the community.
“I think they’ve rotated down people who maybe live nearbywho’ve helped care for the roses and pruned them,” Oliver says. “But I know ourstaff also has a couple people who are really devoted to that garden.”
CommunityGardens
For residents interested in growing their own gardens, theCity of Bellingham offers 195 community garden plots: 34 in Fairhaven, 97 inHappy Valley, and 64 in Lakeway.
“They either can grow flowers or they can grow vegetablesfor food,” says Oliver. “It’s kind of a way to express yourself and connectwith the other people who have left plots around you. There’s lots ofcamaraderie. They do joint work parties, and each garden has a garden organizerthat helps troubleshoot problems.”
The City provides mulch and 10′ x 20′ plots, ideal if youlack space or sunlight to garden at home or simply want company. Registeringrequires only a waitlist placement and small fee.
Community gardens have grown community bonds. Many havedonated to Bellingham Food Bank,near which Northwest Youth Services leasesWe Grow Garden—teaching gardening to youth from Options High School and othersupport networks. The City supports many burgeoning gardens as they arise inthe dirt.
“They’re a really popular community asset,” Oliver says, “andit’s a pretty affordable way for people to enjoy gardening.”
Growinga Brighter Bellingham
Gardens of all kinds flourish with love and care. To helpmaintain garden parks and others, Bellingham ParkStewards can adopt parkland.
“All over our park system we welcome park stewards, whoeverthey may be, who are committed to helping us care for the park system,” saysOliver. For community gardeners in search of resources, Oliver recommends Washington StateExtension for its map and garden list.
By heeding Bellingham Parks and Recreation’s rules andregulations, we can all do our part to keep public gardens beautiful.
