We regularly go to Bellingham, WA and a part of what I like in regards to the city is that it’s very canine pleasant.
One in all my first stops after we arrive is the Lake Padden canine park the place my pups can stretch their legs and work off some power.
It’s handy as a result of it’s not removed from the freeway and is exclusive as a result of there are alternatives for canines that want a fence to maintain them from working off, canines that wish to hike off leash, and canines that wish to swim.
In regards to the Lake Padden Canine Park
The off leash canine park at Lake Padden was one of many first fenced off leash canine parks in Bellingham and is the preferred.
The Lake Padden canine park features a fenced off-leash canine run, unfenced mountain climbing trails the place you may legally hike along with your canine off leash, and canine pleasant lake entry.
Fenced off leash canine park
The fenced off leash canine park is giant and has a separate space for small canines.
The big canine space is securely fenced on three sides and the fourth boundary is a wetland creek space.
The small canine portion is totally fenced.
There may be one double gate to enter the fenced off leash space.
After you enter into the primary gate, you might have the choice of taking a second gate to the fitting into the massive canine space or the gate to the left into the small canine space.
The floor is filth with a skinny overlaying of grass and weeds.
Probably the most used components of the massive canine space have been considerably muddy.
The again half of the big canine space, and the small canine space, nonetheless had most of their grass overlaying – presumably as a result of they don’t see as a lot use.
Facilities close to the off-leash space embrace a rest room, a small lined space with a picnic bench inside the massive canine space, and a picnic to take a seat on within the small canine space.
Eash time I’ve visited, there have been a number of canines taking part in within the giant canine space.
However the small canine space is hit and miss – you could have all of it to your self or there could also be different small canines there (or perhaps a potbellied pig, which we noticed as soon as).
Off leash trails
There are a number of trails on the hill to the southwest of the lake that enable canines to hike off leash, however they need to stay beneath voice management.
For those who’re on the lookout for a flatter, much less muddy stroll along with your canine, there’s a 2.5 gravel path round Lake Padden nevertheless it’s designated on leash solely.
Canine swim park
Lake Padden is the one official canine park with a lake in Bellingham so it’s an incredible selection for canines that wish to swim.
There’s a very small, non-fenced, off-leash lake entry alongside the shoreline of the lake.
There’s a good slope into the water and the water was shallow – one to 2 ft deep – close to the shore.
Getting There
The Lake Padden Canine Park is positioned only a few minutes from the I5 freeway.
If you’re headed north on the freeway, you’ll take exit 246 and you’ll take exit 252 if headed south.
Utilizing the bodily tackle of Lake Padden park
The bodily tackle of the park is 4882 S Samish Means, Bellingham, WA.
For those who kind this tackle into Google Maps, you’ll possible hear “you might have arrived” after you might have handed the park entrance (if heading North) or earlier than you get there (if heading south).
Don’t fear, in case you are headed south on Samish manner, drive just a few hundred ft additional and you will notice the doorway in your proper.
If you’re headed north, begin on the lookout for the doorway on the left just a few hundred ft earlier than the map pin.
For those who Google instructions to Lake Padden canine park
Beware in the event you use Google Maps and ask for instructions to “Lake Padden Canine park”.
Google instructions it is going to say “you might have arrived” if you are nonetheless on the principle street (Samish Means) and, whenever you look within the path of the map pin, all you will notice is timber.
Google Maps shouldn’t be utterly unsuitable – the Lake Padden canine park is there however by the timber.
To get to the off-leash space, use the east entrance into Lake Padden Park off of Samish Means.
If you’re coming from the north and heading south (you’ll, technically, be heading east whenever you move the doorway), search for the doorway to Lake Padden Park a few half mile earlier than the Google map pin for the canine park.
You’ll have to flip round in the event you move it.
If coming from the south and heading north, search for the doorway somewhat previous the “Lake Padden Canine Park” pin in your map.
Finding the off-leash portion of Lake Padden canine park
When you enter the park, drive to the tip of the street the place the sports activities fields are and you will notice the fenced off leash the canine park on the left.
The canine pleasant portion of the lake the place your canine can swim might be to your proper, throughout the sphere.
To get to the off-leash mountain climbing trails, begin on the finish of the paved parking zone adjoining to the fenced off leash space and head left into the woods.
There might be indicators that let you know whenever you’ve reached the purpose the place you may unleash your canine.
Warnings
Parking
This can be a very fashionable canine park so count on parking adjoining to the canine park to be very restricted, particularly when the climate is sweet.
There may be loads of parking on the park although.
The gravel lot by the off-leash space will maintain about 10 automobiles and there’s a paved lot instantly adjoining to the bogs with house for about 20 further automobiles.
If these parking spots are full, you will want to backtrack on the street you got here in on, park in one of many many different spots (possibly 100?), and stroll to the off leash portion of the park.
Wildlife
Half of Lake Padden Park is forested and the fenced off leash space backs as much as this inexperienced house.
Varied wildlife reside on this forested space and have, from time to time, come down into the extra developed space of the park.
In reality, one assessment of the fenced Lake Padden canine park said that coyotes have been noticed inside the fenced space twice.
Adn in the event you select to discover the off-leash path community along with your canine, you’ll actually be coming into their dwelling.
You should definitely control your canine and know what to do if you encounter wildlife.
Canine fights
All the time watch your canine and the way they’re interacting with different canines on the canine park.
Canine fights can get away inside a fenced play space and on the encompassing trails.
Though it’s uncommon, my buddies small canine was attacked by a canine on an off leash mountain climbing path and died.
Ensure you know how to break up a dog combat simply in case.
Last Ideas
Lake Padden Park has a number of choices for canines who wish to be off leash – a completely fenced space, mountain climbing trails, and a chosen canine entry to the lake.
It’s an incredible canine park to go to whether or not you might be staying in Bellingham for the weekend or simply passing although as a result of it’s simply accessible from the freeway.
Positively cease by to test it out the subsequent time you’re on the town.
All the time keep in mind to comply with the dog park rules and decide up after your canine.
If you wish to try extra off leash choices, see this text: 7 Off-Leash Options in Bellingham
