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BIRCHWOOD: Large lots, lots to do on city's edge
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| Bellingham Technical College is one of the many educational facilities in the Birchwood neighborhood, which also includes Birchwood Elementary and Shuksan Middle School. MAME BURNS HERALD PHOTO
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Kira Millage
This family-oriented neighborhood boasts large, deep lots - many of which were once small farms on the edge of the city - with single-family homes, apartment complexes, three public schools, a grocery store, The Bellingham Golf and Country Club, numerous shopping centers, a park, churches and ready access to Bellingham Bay.
The neighborhood is on the northwest side of town and has wide streets and many tree-covered lots. Shopping areas on Northwest Avenue and Meridian Street offer a variety of retailers and restaurants, and Bellis Fair Mall is a five-minute drive away.
Squalicum Creek borders the neighborhood, giving kids a place to ride bike trails without leaving the neighborhood. Bellingham Technical College, Birchwood Elementary School and Shuksan Middle School are all within neighborhood boundaries, making trips to school relatively easy.
Average age: 38.5 Housing units: 2,286 Assessed median home value: $110,750 Median home size: 1,230 square feet Schools: Alderwood/ Birchwood Elementary, Shuksan Middle School, Squalicum High School Shopping: Park Manor Shopping Center includes Albertson's grocery and Big Lots; Yeager's Sporting Goods and Rite-Aid also anchor the retail district on Northwest Avenue Parks: Birchwood, Shuksan Meadows, Little Squalicum Mayor's Advisory Committee members: Richard Jordan, Clint Marley On the Web: www.birchwoodneighborhood.org City Council member: Bob Ryan Police calls in 2003: 1,931 Residential burglaries: 88 Vehicle prowls: 147 Population of neighborhood: 4,615
DEBRA ETHIER Age: 43
Lives on: Cedarwood Avenue
Lived here: 20 years
Lives with: Husband, son, dog and 3 cats
What she does: Supervisor for Horizon Air at Bellingham International Airport
Why did you move to the neighborhood? "We're close to everything but we have our space, our neighbors aren't too close. It's kind of like we have a piece of the country in the city."
What is your favorite part of the neighborhood? "Birchwood Park. Being on the board, it's something we worked for for years (and) very quickly we had the Birchwood Park and the Shuksan Meadows Park. I walk my dog every night and I'm always amazed at how full the parks are. I feel it's just got a real quality of life to the neighborhood. You've got a place to walk with your kids and walk your dogs and offers something for the children to do that's healthy."
AT A GLANCE
NEIGHBORS PROFILE: 'It's ... like we have a piece of the country in the city'
- KIRA MILLAGE
BRIAN HINDMAN
Age: 38
Lives on: Firwood Avenue
Lived here: 7 years
What he does: President of Birchwood Neighborhood Association
Why do you like the neighborhood? "I grew up here in Bellingham and went to Shuksan Middle School. The people are common everyday people. Everyday folks that do common everyday things. It also has a farm feel. It's a kind of rural area."
What amenities do you take advantage of? "I use the shopping district. I love the Salvation Army; I go there all the time. I also use the Greenways trail, which has made vast improvements to the neighborhood. It's a 20-minute walk to Little Squalicum Beach. In my spot, a lot of people walk by because of access to the trail. I meet the parents of kids I went to school with!"
- KIRA MILLAGE
EMILY DICKINSON
Age: 26
Lives on: McLeod Road
Lived here: 2 years
Lives with: Husband and dog
What she does: Works at Blaine Middle School as a resource room teacher
Why did you move to the area? "I came to visit my best friend from high school. I was supposed to stay for three days and stayed for three weeks. I like that it's a college town; it brings a nice feel to it. It's beautiful."
Why do you like your neighborhood? "This street is nice because the golf course (Bellingham Golf & Country Club) is over there. Another nice thing about the area is that couples our age can afford to live here."
Are there any amenities you take advantage of in the area? "I find I'm really close to everything I need - Haggen, Starbucks, Home Depot, and the mall are all close by. I never really have to go across town for anything."
- KIRA MILLAGE
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