Bellingham in Whatcom County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
It Takes A Community
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 9, 2019
1. It Takes A Community Marker
Inscription.
It Takes A Community. . Bellingham's desire for a waterfront park started in the late 1960's when industry closures brought about available, vacant property. Civic leaders acquired land and committed funding. The result of this community effort: Boulevard Park and Taylor Avenue Dock, two gems of our park system.
Development of a waterfront park on former industrial land was a daunting undertaking. It succeeded due to common community goals, civic leadership and the determination of Byron Elmendorf, Director of the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department from 1978-2000.
Once Boulevard Park was built, Elmendorf turned his attention to the vision of a walkway connecting Taylor Dock to Boulevard Park. Facing numerous obstacles, including complex ownership, permitting, environmental impacts, industrial contamination, and skepticism, Elmendorf persisted. After his retirement in 2000, Taylor Dock finally opened in 2004.
Sidebar: "When I'm done, it will always be good to come to one of our parks and see people having fun." It Takes a Community... --Byron Elmendorf
Figure 1 (Above): Byron Elmendorf at the dedication of Boulevard Park, 1980.
Figure 2 (Left): Industrial vacant land along the Bellingham Waterfront (Circa 1970). Photo courtesy of Whatcom Museum.
Bellingham's desire for a waterfront park started in the
late 1960's when industry closures brought about available, vacant property. Civic leaders acquired land and
committed funding. The result of this community effort:
Boulevard Park and Taylor Avenue Dock, two gems of our
park system.
Development of a waterfront park on former industrial land
was a daunting undertaking. It succeeded due to common
community goals, civic leadership and the determination of
Byron Elmendorf, Director of the Bellingham Parks and
Recreation Department from 1978-2000.
Once Boulevard Park was built, Elmendorf turned his attention to the vision of a walkway connecting Taylor Dock to
Boulevard Park. Facing numerous obstacles, including
complex ownership, permitting, environmental impacts,
industrial contamination, and skepticism, Elmendorf persisted. After his retirement in 2000, Taylor Dock finally
opened in 2004.
Sidebar: "When I'm done, it will always be
good to come to one of our parks
and see people having fun."
It Takes a Community...
--Byron Elmendorf
Figure 1 (Above):
Byron Elmendorf at the
dedication of Boulevard
Park, 1980.
Figure 2 (Left): Industrial vacant land along the Bellingham Waterfront
(Circa 1970). Photo courtesy of Whatcom Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic
Location. 48° 43.539′ N, 122° 30.427′ W. Marker is in Bellingham, Washington, in Whatcom County. Marker is on S Bay Trail, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bellingham WA 98225, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. The marker is located at the north end of the sheltered area that is just north of the end of Taylor Dock.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 9, 2019
2. It Takes A Community Marker - wide view, looking north
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, October 9, 2019
3. It Takes A Community Marker - wider view
Visible are the Taylor Dock and part of the South Bay Trail, with the markers visible at the right end of the sheltered area.
1980
4. Marker inset photo: Byron Elmendorf at the dedication of Boulevard Park
Photo courtesy of Whatcom Museum, circa 1970
5. Marker inset photo: Industrial vacant land along the Bellingham Waterfront
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 20, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
