Neighborhood-Kids All Local. All for Kids. All the Time.

Visiting the Peaceful Big Rock Garden

by Ginger Oppenheimer4/21/2008 9:26:17 AM

Peace (carved in limestone)
by Tracy Powell.

Up quiet Balsam Drive, lined by an Asian-inspired fence, the entrance to Big Rock Garden is an invitation for a unique family outing. In fact, Big Rock Garden is that rare gem in a city with many extraordinary parks: a bird sanctuary, a seasonal garden, an outdoor art gallery, and a respite in our busy lives. Here is a place to combine a peaceful family walk with—shhhh!—education.

Big Rock Garden is so small, just 2.7 acres, that it’s easy to let the kids scamper about and get their ya-yas out while you enjoy the stillness of the the botanical species and the sculptures. That’s one option. It’s also a great opportunity to explore together a variety of sculpture styles and materials. There are some very whimsical sculptures in the permanent collection: a horse, a crazy ramp that’s gone cattywampus, musicians. And it’s certainly fun to come around a corner and discover a sculpture, or to come back again and again to rediscover the kids’ favorites.

A flicker in the hole of a snag at Big Rock Garden.

Because the park sports some big conifers, it’s also home to a variety of birds. This is an easy place to hear songbirds chirping and to spot them flitting about among the trees. There’s also a unique bird feature in this park: a tall snag that houses flickers. A snag is essentially just a dead but tall tree stump. When you enter the park, head toward the right and downhill to find the snag; it’s most of the way down, to the right of the covered deck.

If the flickers are in residence, they’ll be deep inside the tree and you might actually hear them tapping away inside. Look for a hole that’s about 4 inches across and 12 feet up. Then make a sound to intrigue them: “PsssssPsssssPsssss.” Try it several times, then just keep your eye on the hole. The curious bird might poke a head out to see what kind of creature you are.

The elevated deck at the bottom of the park is a great spot for a quiet moment where you can sit and enjoy the view of the lake below.

The Three Musicians (steel) by C.A. Scott.

The park was founded originally in 1981 by George, Mary Ann, and David Drake as Gardens of Art. The city of Bellingham purchased the property in 1993. The art aspect of the park is what makes it so unique, with sculptures by international and local artists. Check here to see the permanent collection of an amazing array of works.

In addition, the park hosts the International Sculpture Exhibit every year, which opens on Mother’s Day and closes at the end of September. The new art swells the park with both fantastic new pieces to see and lots of visitors! The Mother’s Day opening alone brings 1000 visitors to the park. There’s live music and refreshments and the artists are on site to talk about their work. Because parking is limited for this free event, you should park at Bloedel Donovan and take the free shuttle.

The Drakes also founded this park as a home for a variety of unique botanical specimens. You’ll find rhododendrons and azaleas bursting with color in the spring, and more than 100 varieties of maples that paint the pathways with leaves in the fall. The park is maintained by volunteers. Click here if you’d like to help.

Turn (Cypress and copper) by Lee Imonen.

Of course Bellingham’s extensive trail system can get you to Big Rock Park and other nearby destinations. These trails connect quickly with Northridge Park and a more round-about fashion to Bloedel Donovan and Whatcom Falls Park. Of course, if you’re on bikes, it’s easy to slip down Sylvan Street for a quick connection to the latter two parks and then get back on the trails. Just watch that traffic on Alabama!

You’ll find an extra perk right outside the park. Locate the water tower outside the park boundaries (it’s pretty easy to see) and walk east from there to find a trailhead. The trail winds through the woods and in a 10-minute walk you’ll find a bench at trail’s end overlooking the lake.

The park is open year round, dawn to dusk. Don’t bring your dog—no pets allowed. Contact Bellingham Parks and Recreation at (360) 676-6985 for more information about local parks.

Big Rock Garden
2900 Sylvan
Bellingham, WA 98226