Sunset Pond Loop Trail Set to Open to the Public Friday

BELLINGHAM — After decades of planning and several years of design and construction work, the new Sunset Pond Loop Trail in North Bellingham is ready to welcome the public. City officials announced that the 1.2-mile loop surrounding Sunset Pond will officially open with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community walk on Friday, February 27 at 3 p.m.

The project traces its roots back more than 30 years to the City’s 1990 Greenways levy, where the vision for a connected trail system around Sunset Pond first took shape. Following nearly four years of permitting, engineering, and construction, the completed loop now transforms the 21.5-acre Sunset Pond Recreation Area into a more accessible regional destination for walking, biking, and outdoor recreation.

The new trail includes scenic boardwalks that carry visitors over sensitive wetland areas while protecting the natural environment. Two elevated boardwalk sections measure 279 feet and 179 feet in length, offering close views of the surrounding habitat. The route also features two locally fabricated steel bridges, the first of their kind in the park system. The longest bridge, just under 100 feet long, required early morning traffic closures on State Route 539 so crews could safely transport the structure from a local steel shop to the site.

City Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Oliver said the opening marks the culmination of years of effort. She noted that Sunset Pond provides a peaceful natural setting in the heart of North Bellingham and said the improvements make the area more inviting for residents across the city. Parks Project Engineer Gina Austin added that the trail advances long-term goals to improve connectivity throughout Bellingham and said the park stands out in every season.

The Sunset Pond Loop Trail strengthens links between the King Mountain, Meridian, and Irongate neighborhoods and connects to the east-west segment of the Squalicum Creek Trail. The route offers expanded access toward Barkley Village, Railroad Trail, and future connections leading west toward Bellingham Bay. City officials say the loop creates a safer and more continuous option for pedestrians and cyclists traveling through North Bellingham.

The ribbon-cutting will take place along the loop trail at the connection from Iron Gate Road. Parking is available at the James Street parking lot at Sunset Pond Park and along Iron Gate Road, with the closest walking access from Iron Gate Road. The crushed limestone surface is nearly flat, and ADA parking is available at the James Street lot, located about half a mile from the ceremony site.

Beyond the new loop, Sunset Pond remains a popular location for paddling, fishing, bird watching, and outdoor recreation. The park also includes an off-leash swimming area for dogs.

The site itself has a unique history. The Washington State Department of Transportation created Sunset Pond during excavation work for Interstate 5. After completion of I-5 in 1978, the state transferred the recreation area to the City of Bellingham. Portions of the north and south trails follow historic railroad corridors once used by the Bellingham Terminals and Railway Company Railroad and the Bellingham Bay and British Columbia Railroad.

With the loop trail now complete, city leaders say the long-planned vision for Sunset Pond has become a reality, adding a new outdoor amenity that blends neighborhood access, environmental stewardship, and regional trail connections.

Photo: City of Bellingham