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.
Considered one of 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 isn’t removed from the freeway and is exclusive as a result of there are alternatives for canine that want a fence to maintain them from operating off, canine that prefer to hike off leash, and canine that prefer to swim.
Concerning 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’ll be able to 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 canine.
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 could have the choice of taking a second gate to the correct into the large canine space or the gate to the left into the small canine space.
The floor is dust with a skinny protecting of grass and weeds.
Probably the most used components of the large canine space have been considerably muddy.
The again half of the massive canine space, and the small canine space, nonetheless had most of their grass protecting – presumably as a result of they don’t see as a lot use.
Facilities close to the off-leash space embody a toilet, a small coated space with a picnic bench inside the large canine space, and a picnic to sit down on within the small canine space.
Eash time I’ve visited, there have been a number of canine enjoying within the giant canine space.
However the small canine space is hit and miss – you’ll have all of it to your self or there could also be different small canine 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 permit canine to hike off leash, however they need to stay underneath voice management.
When you’re in search of 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 canine that prefer 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 toes 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.
When you kind this tackle into Google Maps, you’ll doubtless hear “you could have arrived” after you could 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 means, drive a number of hundred toes additional and you will notice the doorway in your proper.
If you’re headed north, begin in search of the doorway on the left a number of hundred toes earlier than the map pin.
When you Google instructions to Lake Padden canine park
Beware in case you use Google Maps and ask for instructions to “Lake Padden Canine park”.
Google instructions it would say “you could have arrived” while you’re nonetheless on the principle highway (Samish Means) and, while you look within the course of the map pin, all you will notice is bushes.
Google Maps just isn’t utterly improper – the Lake Padden canine park is there however by the bushes.
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 while you move the doorway), search for the doorway to Lake Padden Park a couple of half mile earlier than the Google map pin for the canine park.
You’ll have to flip round in case you move it.
If coming from the south and heading north, search for the doorway a bit 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 highway 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 can 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 can be indicators that inform you while you’ve reached the purpose the place you’ll be able to 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 vehicles and there’s a paved lot instantly adjoining to the loos with area for about 20 extra automobiles.
If these parking spots are full, you’ll need to backtrack on the highway 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 area.
Numerous wildlife dwell on this forested space and have, occasionally, come down into the extra developed space of the park.
In truth, one evaluate of the fenced Lake Padden canine park said that coyotes have been noticed inside the fenced space twice.
Adn in case you select to discover the off-leash path community along with your canine, you’ll actually be coming into their dwelling.
You’ll want to control your canine and know what to do in case you encounter wildlife.
Canine fights
At all times watch your canine and the way they’re interacting with different canine on the canine park.
Canine fights can get away inside a fenced play space and on the encompassing trails.
Though it’s uncommon, my associates small canine was attacked by a canine on an off leash mountain climbing path and died.
Be sure to know break up a canine combat simply in case.
Ultimate Ideas
Lake Padden Park has a number of choices for canine who prefer to be off leash – a totally fenced space, mountain climbing trails, and a delegated 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.
Undoubtedly cease by to test it out the following time you’re on the town.
At all times keep in mind to observe the canine park guidelines and choose up after your canine.
If you wish to try extra off leash choices, see this text: 7 Off-Leash Choices in Bellingham