‘This is Grinchy,’ Bellingham parks hears after removing Christmas decor on trail
The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department isn’t feeling merry about what’s being called an annual tradition of decorating the city’s green spaces with Christmas ornaments.
Earlier this week, workers removed the decorations on the South Bay Trail between Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock, saying they’re not good for the environment and its critters.
“Some well-intentioned folks have been decorating our trails and parks,” the department wrote on its Facebook page on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
“Unfortunately, even a small bit of plastic or litter can be very harmful to birds, fish and our local waterways, so we will remove these items from parks and trails,” the post states. “Please help keep local wildlife safe this holiday season!”
Most of the people responding to the department’s post are taking it to task for not getting into the holiday spirit, though some are praising workers for removing the decorations.
“This is really sad,” Sara Rush writes on Facebook. ”It has become a tradition that many look forward to seeing and I believe there are many other areas in town where litter is a true concern ... Why take away this joy? I don’t understand this focus at all.”
Laurie Barrett also is not a fan of the department’s decision, writing: “This is Grinchy, nit-picky and not even close to addressing the real problem.”
But Rose Morken praised the parks department, writing: “Thank you for letting people know this is unacceptable! And thank you for your work keeping our parks clean.”
Sadie Rose agrees, writing: “There are plenty of places to see holiday decorations. I don’t go on hikes to see decorations. Also, it can harm the wildlife. Let’s leave this beautiful stuff on our houses!”
Leslie Bryson, director for the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department, acknowledged that there were some decorations every year on the trail — and other ones such as a side trail at Whatcom Falls Park — and the department has ignored them in the past.
But there were a lot more this year, increasing concerns about items being attractive to wildlife or blown into nearby Bellingham Bay, Bryson said to The Bellingham Herald.
The department has been fielding phone calls from some people who were upset, including those who wondered whether the decorations were being taken down because they involved Christmas.
“We’re certainly not anti-holiday. We didn’t take it down for that reason,” Bryson said, pointing as an example to the lighted Christmas tree at Depot Market Square, which is owned by the city of Bellingham.
And, Bryson said, it’s technically against the law to leave things in parks and trails, such as decorations and signs.
“It’s like campaign signs. We’ll take them down in parks,” Bryson said.
In October 2016, someone hung a large Trump presidential campaign sign at least 30 feet up a tree at Lake Padden Park. A parks employee took it down.
Some commenters wondered if edible decorations, such as ones made out of bird seeds, could be put up instead.
The answer? Perhaps.
The Parks Department would have to figure out a few things as it relates to wildlife.
“Is it appropriate? Where should you do it?” Bryson said, noting there were differing opinions when it comes to wildlife.
The key is to contact the Parks Department first, Bryson said.
This story was originally published December 11, 2019 at 11:58 AM.
