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 among 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’s not 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 wish to hike off leash, and canine 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 most well-liked.
The Lake Padden canine park features a fenced off-leash canine run, unfenced mountain climbing trails the place you may legally hike together 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 totally fenced.
There may be one double gate to enter the fenced off leash space.
After you enter into the primary gate, you’ve the choice of taking a second gate to the best into the large canine space or the gate to the left into the small canine space.
The floor is dust with a skinny masking of grass and weeds.
Essentially the most used elements of the large canine space had been considerably muddy.
The again half of the big canine space, and the small canine space, nonetheless had most of their grass masking – 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 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 could 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 beneath voice management.
In case you’re on the lookout for a flatter, much less muddy stroll together 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 a terrific alternative for canine 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.
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 tackle of Lake Padden park
The bodily tackle of the park is 4882 S Samish Method, Bellingham, WA.
In case you sort this tackle into Google Maps, you’ll possible hear “you’ve arrived” after you’ve 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 means, drive a couple of hundred ft additional and you will notice the doorway in your proper.
In case you are headed north, begin on the lookout for 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 if you happen to use Google Maps and ask for instructions to “Lake Padden Canine park”.
Google instructions it’s going to say “you’ve arrived” while you’re nonetheless on the principle highway (Samish Method) and, while you look within the route of the map pin, all you will notice is timber.
Google Maps shouldn’t be fully mistaken – the Lake Padden canine park is there however via 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 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 if you happen to 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 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 shall be to your proper, throughout the sector.
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 shall be indicators that inform you while you’ve reached the purpose the place you may unleash your canine.
Warnings
Parking
This can be a highly regarded 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’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, now and again, come down into the extra developed space of the park.
In truth, one evaluation of the fenced Lake Padden canine park said that coyotes had been noticed inside the fenced space twice.
Adn if you happen to select to discover the off-leash path community together with your canine, you’ll actually be getting into their house.
Be sure you 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 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 pals small canine was attacked by a canine on an off leash mountain climbing path and died.
Be sure you know the way to break up a canine combat simply in case.
Last Ideas
Lake Padden Park has a number of choices for canine who wish to be off leash – a completely fenced space, mountain climbing trails, and a chosen canine entry to the lake.
It’s a terrific 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 observe the canine park guidelines and decide 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
