Another step taken toward new park along Drayton Harbor

By Jami Makan

Whatcom Land Trust has acquired a one-acre property located at California Creek in the Drayton Harbor watershed, adding significant shoreline access to property that it already owns in the area.

On December 31, Whatcom Land Trust closed on the residential property, which is adjacent to another 11.5-acre property that it purchased in June 2017.

The property is located at 4677 Drayton Harbor Road, and was purchased for $350,000, according to Whatcom Land Trust conservation director Gabe Epperson.

Together, the two properties will allow Whatcom Land Trust to expand public access along the shores of Drayton Harbor.

The goal is to eventually transfer the property to Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 to create a new recreational park.

“Currently, there are two structures out there, and those will be removed at some point, to make room for a park in those areas,” said Whatcom Land Trust communications director Karen Parker. “It’s nice because now the park will include more of the waterfront area.”

In a February 1 press release, the trust said that Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 has agreed to contribute to the purchase with eventual plans to demolish the homes, and to install park infrastructure such as parking, restrooms and a kayak launch.

It may take about two years before work begins on the new park, said Epperson.

The earlier purchase of the 11.5-acre property in June 2017 was a major step forward for the trust. It was the first time the land trust had leveraged conservation funding to finance a land purchase.

Whatcom Land Trust has protected more than 20,000 acres in Whatcom County through fee-purchase and conservation easements, working with willing landowners and conservation partners. To date, the trust protects approximately 430 acres of coastal lands, including Lily Point Marine Reserve in Point Roberts, Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve near Cherry Point, Clarks Point and Teddy Bear Cove near Chuckanut Drive.