Whatcom parks offer something special in cold weather

Here’s a look at three Whatcom County parks that are perfect for a winter excursion:

Pioneer Park

Although this city park is most used in summer, when its 12 pioneer-era buildings are open and staffed for tours, it sparkles with life every year for the Olde Fashioned Christmas on the first weekend in December.

All of the buildings are historically accurate and illustrate vividly the joys and hardships of pioneer life in Whatcom County. Only the Pioneer Headquarters building was built on site; the rest were moved from various locations in the region.

Buildings contain period tools, appliances, furnishings and accoutrements appropriate to each setting.

For the Christmas event, all of the cabins — including the post office, one-room schoolhouse, private homes and church — are decorated with a yuletide theme and staffed with volunteers. It’s run by the Ferndale Heritage Society and the Old Settler’s Association.

You’ll find Santa Claus, cookies baking in the ovens and guides dressed in period clothing.

Olde Fashioned Christmas is 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4; 1-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5; and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children.

Details: Its 12 pioneer-era buildings are open and staffed during the summer, but can be viewed from the outside anytime.

Getting there: Pioneer Park is at Second Avenue and Cherry Street, just south of downtown Ferndale. Take Interstate 5 to exit 262 (Main Street) and drive west. Turn left onto Second Avenue, which is the second street past the Nooksack River bridge.

Bloedel-Donovan Park

Of the three parks described here, this is the most traditional, with playground equipment and an expansive lawn for running and playing every game imaginable. It’s also among the Bellingham area’s most popular parks because of its size and location next to Lake Whatcom.

In summer, it’s crowded with swimmers and boaters and picnickers. But it’s far less crowded in the winter, and despite the cooler weather it remains a perfect place to burn off energy, especially when it’s not pouring rain.

In addition to the playground area, there’s basketball and volleyball and multipurpose fields — plus restrooms and picnic tables. Bring a towel to dry the playground structure if it has rained recently.

Although it has a large parking area, Bloedel-Donovan is on a major Whatcom Transportation Authority bus line, and is connected to walking and biking trails that are part of the citywide Greenways system.

Details: Playground area, basketball and volleyball courts, multipurpose fields, restrooms, picnic tables.

Getting there: Find a map of the park and Greenways trail connections at cob.org/services/recreation/parks-trails/bloedel-donovan-park.aspx. For parents of children who are fascinated by science, a map of the park’s tree species is at cob.org/documents/parks/parks-trails/bloedel-donovan-park-trees.pdf.

Deming Homestead Eagle Park

This Whatcom County park has a short hiking trail, but in winter its major attraction is in the trees and skies above. Eagles flock by the dozens starting in December to gorge on the carcasses of salmon that have spawned and died in the nearby Nooksack River.

A short, well-kept trail has interpretive signs to explain the area’s ecological significance. There’s free parking and picnic tables and lots of areas along the river to explore. Bring binoculars and dress warmly — it can be much colder in the North Fork Valley than in suburban Bellingham.

Details: Easy, well-maintained trail with interpretive signs. Picnic tables.

Getting there: Take the Mount Baker Highway east to Truck Road, a few miles east of the Highway 9 intersection. Turn right onto Truck Road; the park is a short distance ahead.

This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Whatcom parks offer something special in cold weather."