Neighborhood Parks and Nature Areas
Happy Valley Park
Located at 2700 Donovan Avenue, Happy Valley Park is in the heart of the Happy Valley neighborhood. The park features maintained walking paths, a play structure, as well as a gazebo. In the Spring of 2022, the City of Bellingham purchased a 13,000 square-foot lot neighboring the park in an effort to expand and improve Happy Valley Park and make it more accessible to the community.
Photos and Description: Charlie Elliott
Connelly Creek Nature Area
Connelly Creek Nature Area is home to local habitat, as well as a convenient one mile trail located in the Happy Valley Neighborhood. Established in 1981, Connelly Creek trail features native vegetation and trees that canopy its wide gravel path. The trail showcases some of the largest Sitka Spruce Trees in the city of Bellingham. With multiple bridges to cross the shallow streams of Connelly Creek, the primary trail is easily accessible with multiple entrances. The trail stretches from Joe’s Garden on Douglas Ave down towards Donovan Ave, across the street from Happy Valley Park.
Photos and Description: Charlie Elliott
Padden Creek
In the early 1980’s, Padden Creek was a poorly maintained waterway in the Happy Valley Neighborhood. This had a devastating impact on the Salmon as the creek was a crucial part of their seasonal journey. In 2015, Bellingham Public Works department orchestrated a massive restoration of Padden Creek and the surrounding area. With over 2,300 feet of improved habitat, the restoration allowed the Salmon to continue their journey through cleaner water by providing areas of protected environment for native growth and wildlife. The restoration also helped reduce the flood risk for over 150 homes in the Happy Valley Neighborhood. Padden Creek has a well maintained gravel trail with bridges to cross the creek.
Photos and Description: Charlie Elliott