2016 Year in Review: Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2

By Heidi Holmes

The opening of the new pavilion building in February was key to the district’s ability to offer more programming.

This past year, the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) saw huge growth in its group fitness classes. Many programs such as Zumba, line dance and yoga are now offered through the district at the Pavilion in Blaine. Classes like these and others such as POUND, karate, pickleball and badminton can be found at the Birch Bay Activity Center. New classes that generated to the busy schedule were Let’s Get Fit, Step Dance and Country Heat.

For the kids, ongoing gymnastics classes are held weekly. Four week introductory programs such as Pre-Cheer, Indoor Soccer and Basketball Basics are offered. In an effort to bring out the stay at home mom’s or working families, free daycare is available for many of our classes.

Once again, the BBBPRD2 was able to help fund community projects. Grants were given to the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, Peace Arch Music Festival, Girls Fastpitch Softball, Cub Scouts and Friends of Birch Bay State Park. With these funds, the organizations were able to provide recreational opportunities to members of our community and guests.

The board of commissioners adopted the master plan in February. With the approval of this plan, the district can seek grants from state and federal agencies to help develop trails and pathways. The plan also is a focal point of what projects or goals the community would like to see the district implement.

Out in the community, the district continues to work on bringing a safe bicycle – pedestrian route to Blaine and Birch Bay as well as partnering with Whatcom County Parks and Recreation to develop the community beach park in Birch Bay.

Events such as Pirate Daze, Kid’s Olympics, Kite and Skimboard festival and the Holiday Lights Dash were made possible with partnerships with the Blaine and Birch Bay Chambers.

With the assistance of the Birch Bay Waterslides, our local youth had an opportunity this summer to spend the day enjoying the outdoors and the slides with the weekly day camps.