Waypoint Park Next Phase Development

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Consultation has concluded

Design of the next phase of Waypoint Park is underway 

Waypoint Park, redevelopment of Central Pier, and the addition of new arterial streets within Bellingham’s Waterfront District are just the beginning of a long-term plan to provide public access to this unique site.

The next phase of park development is a continuation of the work completed at the award-winning Waypoint Park, which includes completing the waterfront trail connection from Roeder to Laurel Avenue. 


Watch the video, ask a question!

The public is invited to view exciting new images of the park design in an online presentation prepared by City staff and the lead designer for the project. 

Design elements for this next phase of park development include a new waterfront trail, overlooks, seating areas, and shoreline planting. Flexible lawn space, a restroom building, and opportunities for art are also planned. Comments, questions, and kudos are welcome. Feedback on the conceptual design images for this next phase of the park will be considered as design and permitting continues through the end of this year.

Coordination with other agencies and the adjoining property owners is also underway to ensure a seamless and integrated design with private development and other public spaces and plazas connecting to the park.

The Port of Bellingham and City of Bellingham are partners in the overall master planning and redevelopment of this Brownfields site. The Port of Bellingham acquired the waterfront property from the Georgia Pacific Company. In 2013, the City officially began designing and permitting of over 1.5 acres of public space, which soon would be known as Waypoint Park.

For more information, check out the project website at: 

https://cob.org/project/waypoint-park-waterfront-trail


Design of the next phase of Waypoint Park is underway 

Waypoint Park, redevelopment of Central Pier, and the addition of new arterial streets within Bellingham’s Waterfront District are just the beginning of a long-term plan to provide public access to this unique site.

The next phase of park development is a continuation of the work completed at the award-winning Waypoint Park, which includes completing the waterfront trail connection from Roeder to Laurel Avenue. 


Watch the video, ask a question!

The public is invited to view exciting new images of the park design in an online presentation prepared by City staff and the lead designer for the project. 

Design elements for this next phase of park development include a new waterfront trail, overlooks, seating areas, and shoreline planting. Flexible lawn space, a restroom building, and opportunities for art are also planned. Comments, questions, and kudos are welcome. Feedback on the conceptual design images for this next phase of the park will be considered as design and permitting continues through the end of this year.

Coordination with other agencies and the adjoining property owners is also underway to ensure a seamless and integrated design with private development and other public spaces and plazas connecting to the park.

The Port of Bellingham and City of Bellingham are partners in the overall master planning and redevelopment of this Brownfields site. The Port of Bellingham acquired the waterfront property from the Georgia Pacific Company. In 2013, the City officially began designing and permitting of over 1.5 acres of public space, which soon would be known as Waypoint Park.

For more information, check out the project website at: 

https://cob.org/project/waypoint-park-waterfront-trail


Consultation has concluded
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    Loud construction/demolition noise is being generated at all hours, it continued until 2:40am 10/18/2022. Per Bellingham code, quiet hours are 10:00pm-7:00am. What's the deal, and what is the project Manager's home phone number so that we can all call at 2:40 am? Thank you

    Lupe asked over 1 year ago

    Thank you for your inquiry. Construction for Waypoint Park Next Phase has not started yet. Other private development construction is underway at the waterfront that is unrelated to any work by the city or the Parks Department. Parks will forward your question to the City Permit center for action. If you would like to contact the Park's office to provide more detail about the location of the noise, please call (360) 778-7014. Or please call the City of Bellingham Permit Center to provide additional information at (360) 778-8300 

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    Where are the restrooms?

    Mimi007 asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question. We are searching for funding to construct a new restroom at Waypoint Park located at 1145 Granary Avenue. Existing restrooms are located at Maritime Heritage Park and at Trackside. 

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    Hello Would this park be a good place to plant and maintain educational demonstration gardens? The Ferndale Hovander County Park is the current location of the WSU Extension Master Gardeners' demo gardens. But it often floods and is in Ferndale. Thanks, DeeAnn Perler

    DeeAnn asked about 2 years ago

    Thank you for taking the time to comment. The next phase of Waypoint Park is very narrow and located along the waterfront. There is limited space in this marine environment, but there may be opportunities at other parks. Please feel free to reach out to the Parks Department to discuss this further. If you have contact information for the WSU Extension program, that would be great too. 

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    The port's "interim" pump track has been a smashing success. How can we promote it from being an interim use of the space to a permanent design element? It would be a real loss of public benefit if the pump track were removed to make way for privately held buildings.

    jorgebham asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for your comment. The future phase of park area will be master planned during a public process. The interim pump track appears to be aligned with future park land, but this area is currently owned and operated by the Port of Bellingham. 

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    Will there be a small boat visitor's float at some point?

    John Goodman asked almost 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question. The next phase of park development focuses on the upland portion of the property. In-water facilities could be coordinated with the Port of Bellingham as a future project. The waterfront sub-area plan includes information about visitor moorage along Whatcom Waterway, but that work is not funded in this phase of park development. 

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    Is there a budget or a proposal opportunity for public art?

    JenD asked almost 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question! As design progresses, we will evaluate the criteria for public art under Bellingham Municipal Code 4.92. Any future calls for public art will be posted to the City's website at https://cob.org/services/arts/public-art

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    What is happening in the "Potential Future Access" area right now? How does this new phase planning address this area?

    Starflower asked almost 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question! Plans for renovating a portion of the wharf are still under discussion between the Port and City of Bellingham. However, we are designing the trail and overlooks in anticipation of any possible scenario for future public access. Also, the new waterfront trail may function independently if the wharf is not renovated for public use in the near future.