The Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation (WPRF) in Bellingham warmly invites the public to Take a Walk on the West Side: Proposed Airport Trail Open House & Walk/Ride on Saturday, June 3, 2017. The WPRF, in partnership with the Port of Bellingham, Bellingham International Airport, Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department, and Brio Laundry, will be hosting the open house along a route that is rarely accessible to the public. The route starts at the north end of Interstate 5 on Kope Road, just South of Slater Rd. Visitors are encouraged to park along the East side of Kope Road, then walk or bike south along the route. The route runs parallel to the airport until reaching the City of Bellingham Lockwood Property at Marine Drive. Visitors will then return to the starting point on Kope Rd. The route is approximately 1.75 miles round- trip. In 2016, the Port of Bellingham convened a committee to develop and propose a trail plan for the natural areas surrounding the Bellingham International Airport. The committee completed the plan and has submitted it to the Port Commission for consideration. The Open House will showcase a part of that plan, and encourage visitors to imagine what it might be like if the public had permanent access to walk or bike on a protected, non-motorized trail route from Marine Drive to just before Slater Road. Most of the land along the route is owned by the Port of Bellingham, with a small section of property at the south end owned by the City of Bellingham. This area is usually only accessible to Ski-to-Sea athletes participating in the Cyclocross Bike section of the race. Representatives from the host agencies and organizations will be on site during the Open House to share information about the proposed Airport trail. The Airport will be distributing paper airplane activities, and Brio Laundry has developed a nature scavenger hunt that will delight children and adult visitors alike. WPRF is providing light refreshments for all. SSC is generously donating trash and sanitation facilities for the event.
