We continuously go to Bellingham, WA and a part of what I like concerning the city is that it’s very canine pleasant.
Certainly 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.
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 climbing trails the place you possibly can 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 canine.
The massive 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 precise into the large canine space or the gate to the left into the small canine space.
The floor is grime with a skinny overlaying of grass and weeds.
Probably the most used elements of the large canine space had 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 embody a toilet, a small lined space with a picnic bench inside the large 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 canine taking part in within the massive canine space.
However the small canine space is hit and miss – you might 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 enable canine to hike off leash, however they need to stay underneath voice management.
In case 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 amazing 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 ft deep – close to the shore.
Getting There
The Lake Padden Canine Park is situated 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 deal with of Lake Padden park
The bodily deal with of the park is 4882 S Samish Manner, Bellingham, WA.
In case you kind this deal with into Google Maps, you’ll probably 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, if you’re headed south on Samish manner, drive a couple of hundred ft additional and you will note the doorway in your proper.
If you’re headed north, begin in search of the doorway on the left a couple of hundred ft earlier than the map pin.
In case you Google instructions to Lake Padden canine park
Beware should you use Google Maps and ask for instructions to “Lake Padden Canine park”.
Google instructions it should say “you have got arrived” when you are nonetheless on the primary highway (Samish Manner) and, if you look within the path of the map pin, all you will note is bushes.
Google Maps shouldn’t be fully mistaken – 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 Manner.
If you’re coming from the north and heading south (you’ll, technically, be heading east if 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 should you cross it.
If coming from the south and heading north, search for the doorway just a little 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 top 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 will probably be to your proper, throughout the sphere.
To get to the off-leash 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 will probably be indicators that let you know if you’ve reached the purpose the place you possibly can unleash your canine.
Warnings
Parking
This can be a very talked-about canine park so anticipate 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 loos with area for about 20 further autos.
If these parking spots are full, you have to to backtrack on the highway you got here in on, park in one of many many different spots (perhaps 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.
Varied wildlife stay on this forested space and have, every now and then, come down into the extra developed space of the park.
In truth, one overview of the fenced Lake Padden canine park acknowledged that coyotes had been noticed inside the fenced space twice.
Adn should you select to discover the off-leash path community along with your canine, you’ll actually be getting into their dwelling.
You’ll want to keep watch over 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 canine 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 climbing path and died.
Be sure to know how to break up a dog struggle 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, climbing trails, and a delegated canine entry to the lake.
It’s an amazing 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 following time you’re on the town.
All the time keep in mind to observe the dog park rules and choose up after your canine.
If you wish to take a look at extra off leash choices, see this text: 7 Off-Leash Options in Bellingham
