We steadily 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 once we arrive is the Lake Padden canine park the place my pups can stretch their legs and work off some vitality.
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 canines that want a fence to maintain them from working off, canines that prefer to hike off leash, and canines that prefer 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 most well-liked.
The Lake Padden canine park features a fenced off-leash canine run, unfenced mountaineering 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 massive 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 absolutely fenced.
There may be one double gate to enter the fenced off leash space.
After you enter into the primary gate, you have got 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 dust 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 massive 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 toilet, a small coated 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 massive canine space.
However the small canine space is hit and miss – you will 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 underneath voice management.
In the event 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 however 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 awesome selection for canines 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 situated just some minutes from the I5 freeway.
In case you are headed north on the freeway, you’ll take exit 246 and you’ll take exit 252 if headed south.
Utilizing the bodily handle of Lake Padden park
The bodily handle of the park is 4882 S Samish Method, Bellingham, WA.
In the event you kind this handle into Google Maps, you’ll doubtless hear “you have got arrived” after you have got 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 just a few hundred toes additional and you will note the doorway in your proper.
In case you are headed north, begin in search of the doorway on the left just a few hundred toes earlier than the map pin.
In the event you Google instructions to Lake Padden canine park
Beware if you happen to use Google Maps and ask for instructions to “Lake Padden Canine park”.
Google instructions it’s going to say “you have got arrived” while you’re nonetheless on the primary highway (Samish Method) and, whenever you look within the route of the map pin, all you will note is timber.
Google Maps will not be utterly improper – the Lake Padden canine park is there however by means of the timber.
To get to the off-leash space, use the east entrance into Lake Padden Park off of Samish Method.
In case you are coming from the north and heading south (you’ll, technically, be heading east whenever you cross 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 if you happen to cross it.
If coming from the south and heading north, search for the doorway slightly 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 note 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 mountaineering 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 let you know whenever you’ve reached the purpose the place you’ll be able to unleash your canine.
Warnings
Parking
This can be a extremely popular canine park so count on parking adjoining to the canine park to be very restricted, particularly when the climate is good.
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 autos.
If these parking spots are full, you will want 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, every so often, come down into the extra developed space of the park.
Actually, one assessment of the fenced Lake Padden canine park acknowledged that coyotes have been noticed inside the fenced space twice.
Adn if you happen to select to discover the off-leash path community along with your canine, you’ll actually be getting into their dwelling.
You’ll want to regulate your canine and know what to do if you happen to encounter wildlife.
Canine fights
At all times 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 encircling trails.
Though it’s uncommon, my pals small canine was attacked by a canine on an off leash mountaineering path and died.
Be sure you know methods to break up a canine combat simply in case.
Remaining Ideas
Lake Padden Park has a number of choices for canines who prefer to be off leash – a totally fenced space, mountaineering trails, and a delegated canine entry to the lake.
It’s an awesome canine park to go to whether or not you’re 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 following time you’re on the town.
At all times bear in mind to comply with the canine park guidelines and choose up after your canine.
If you wish to take a look at extra off leash choices, see this text: 7 Off-Leash Choices in Bellingham