The Port of Bellingham has reopened Little Squalicum Beach Park following a major beach improvement project.
“Little Squalicum Beach Park has never looked better” said Port Executive Director Rob Fix. “This is a terrific example of a project which improves public access to water while enhancing nearshore habitat for Endangered Chinook salmon and other wildlife.”
Approximately 7,000 tons of industrial fill, wood waste and concrete were removed from the shoreline creating a much larger and more accessible beach. Over 400 native plants and trees were planted along the newly restored shoreline.
The Port secured a $1.5 million grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology and hired local contractor RAW Land Construction of Bellingham to complete the shoreline improvements.
Little Squalicum Beach Park has been identified as a high-priority habitat restoration area by the Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot, a partnership of 14 different, federal, state, local and tribal agencies working together to restore habitat, clean-up historic contamination, control pollution sources and revitalize under-utilized waterfront properties. The Port and its partner agencies are working to restore historically lost habitat throughout Bellingham Bay including the nearby Little Squalicum Estuary project now under construction by the City of Bellingham.
Little Squalicum Beach Park is located northeast of 2929 Roeder Avenue.