Parks

Announcing the 2021 Summer of Fun Parks Activities

The City of Ferndale is proud to announce a full slate of summer parks activities this year.  With careful consideration and consultation with our health experts, the city is moving forward with our “2021 Summer of Fun.”

These events will be held outdoors in Ferndale parks and require that all attendees practice social distancing and wear a face covering to ensure everyone can have a safe experience.

“We know everyone is excited to get out of the house and do something fun this summer.  We believe we have a way to come together as a community in a safe and responsible way,” said Mayor Greg Hansen.

Here is the full list of activities:

Food Truck Fridays will be held on the first Friday of each month (June 4th, July 2nd and August 6th) at Star Park.  Food Trucks from around Whatcom County will be selling hot meals starting at 5:30 pm. Participating vendors include the Mobile Mouth Hole, Cicchitti’s Pizza, Outlaws BBW, Simmering Tava, Pete’s Poutine and BareBones BBQ.

Music in the Park will be held on Friday June 18th, and Saturdays July 17th and August 14th on the stage in the historic Pioneer Village. Seattle area rock cover band “3 Trick Pony” will be playing June 18th, and Bellingham R&B/Hip-hop sensation “SpaceBand” will be playing July 17th and “Vaudeville Etiquette” an energetic, psychedelic folk band will be playing August 14th. Gates open at 5:30pm, music starts at 6pm.

WECU presents Flicks in the Park held Friday nights on June 25th, July 9th and July 16th at dusk in the historic Pioneer Village. We will be showing “Coco” “Labyrinth” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”. gates open at 9:00pm, movie begins at dusk.

The Great Ferndale Frontier Folly, a citywide scavenger hunt with riddles and prizes. This event will be held throughout the month of July.

Stargazing with the Perseids Meteor Shower will be held on Friday, August 13th after dark at VanderYacht Park. Identify constellations with glow-in-the-dark star charts, observe the moon and other celestial objects through larger telescopes provided by amateur astronomers or just relax and enjoy the peak of the Perseids Meteor Shower.

More food trucks, bands and films will all be announced later this Spring via the City of Ferndale’s social media channels. More information is available at www.cityofferndale.org/parks or by contacting Recreation Coordinator Riley Sweeney at rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org or (360) 685-2353.

March 16, 2021

Purchase a Tile at the New Star Park Picnic Shelter

Purchase a Tile in the New Star Park Picnic Shelter

UPDATE – Purchase Deadline May 14th, 2021

In summer 2021, the City will be constructing a Picnic Shelter adjacent to Star Park. This facility will include picnic tables, a large countertop and sink area with running water and artistic features that match the unique character of Star Park.

The base of the sink area will be covered with 4 x 8 ceramic tiles (picture above, equal to about the size of an average brick). These tiles are now available for purchase.

  • These tiles will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. If we receive your order after the tiles have been sold, we will return your funds.
  • Cost will be $50 per tile.
  • Other opportunities, including sponsorship of picnic tables, will be available at a later time for local businesses.

To purchase a tile, please print and complete this form (one form per tile) with check or money order made out to “City of Ferndale.” Printed forms are also available at the front door of City Hall.

Mail form and payment to City of Ferndale, PO Box 936, Ferndale, WA 98248.

For more information, please contact Communication Officer Riley Sweeney at rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org or (360) 685-2353.

January 5, 2021

Ferndale Playgrounds to Reopen Oct. 16th with COVID Restrictions

After consulting local public health experts and the neighboring municipalities, the City will reopen all Ferndale playgrounds, including Star Park, Cedar Creek, Flair, Oxford and Vista Ridge parks, with new COVID-related restrictions.

“For the playgrounds to safely reopen, we ask that all users observe social distancing as much as possible, wash their hands frequently and wear a mask,” said Mayor Greg Hansen. “The greatest danger is people gathering in groups with people outside their household. All users of the park who are five years or older are required to wear a mask while on the playground and those who are two to four are strongly recommended to wear a mask.” 

The playgrounds will not be sanitized or cleaned beyond their regularly scheduled maintenance so the public will be playing at their own risk. “To ensure that we are able to keep these facilities open to the public, please observe these guidelines.” said Mayor Hansen. “If there is an outbreak, we may need to revisit this decision.”

For more information on Ferndale parks, please visit www.cityofferndale.org/parks or contact Recreation Coordinator Riley Sweeney at rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org or 360-685-2353.

October 13, 2020

Ferndale Celebrates 125th Old Settlers Picnic Anniversary with Original Video Production

Whatcom Old Settlers Variety Show Available Online July 22nd

With the Old Settlers Weekend cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns, the City of Ferndale and the Whatcom Old Settlers Association are releasing a video celebration of Ferndale’s history and culture. Dubbed the Whatcom Old Settlers Variety Show, this production includes a video tour of the historic Pioneer Village cabins, a concert from High Mountain String Band, interviews about Old Settlers Picnics of yesteryear, an inside look at the historic 2019 Paddle to Lummi event and an original radio drama set in 1932 Ferndale.

“We couldn’t let this historic landmark, the 125th anniversary of the Old Settlers Picnic, pass us by,” said Mayor Greg Hansen. “This is our opportunity to tell our story about the history of our community and celebrate the things that make Ferndale our special place by the river.”

“We are looking forward to next year when we can bring back the Old Settlers Weekend,” said Lynda Lucas, President of the Whatcom Old Settlers Association. “But in the meantime, we wanted to do something special to tide us over.”

The Whatcom Old Settlers Variety Show will be available to stream online at www.cityofferndale.org starting Weds. July 22nd.

For questions and more information, please contact Communications Officer Riley Sweeney at 360-685-2353 or rileysweeney@cityofferndale.org.

June 22, 2020

Recreate Safely in Ferndale’s Parks

Everyone knows it is going to be beautiful this weekend but remember to give your friends and neighbors plenty of space. Gatherings are not permitted at this time. Explore our parks, take in the fresh air but save the picnics, frisbee and toddler playdates for later. Thank you for your patience and enjoy the sunshine!

May 8, 2020

Summer Activities Cancelled in Ferndale

Yesterday, the Whatcom Unified Command, which includes the Whatcom County Health Department, issued a recommendation to cancel all summer activities to limit the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, the City is cancelling Old Settlers’ Weekend, the Ferndale Street Festival, the Parks and Recreation activities and all other large gatherings and events through August 31st, 2020. This was done in consultation with the organizing committees of these events.

Press release from Whatcom Unified Command included below:

Whatcom Unified Command (WUC), which includes the Whatcom County Health Department as a lead partner, is working to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19 locally. Consistent with that key objective, and in line with recent simulation models, the Health Department recommends cancellation of summer events throughout Whatcom County.

In a letter to community leaders today, April 14, Erika Lautenbach, Whatcom County Health Department director, noted that work already underway to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 has been showing results.

“We see positive effects of the efforts to contain the virus, in large part due to the social distancing measures put into place in March,” said Lautenbach. Governor Jay Inslee initially announced his Stay Home, Stay Healthy order on March 23; on April 2, he extended the order through May 4.
Modeling presented by the Health Department on April 13 indicate Whatcom County is “on the downside of the first wave of COVID-19 spread locally. Scenarios suggest that with continued social distancing, the next wave could be mitigated as well. However, if group gatherings resume too soon, the virus’ spread could be deadlier.

Lautenbach said that’s why she recommends that all summer events – including parades, community festivals and fireworks displays – should be cancelled.

“I recognize that this recommendation creates considerable disappointment,” said Lautenbach. “However, the long-term health of our community and our economy could be further damaged if we move too quickly to resume the activities that we know will put us at risk.”

For more information on COVID-related recommendations, visit the Whatcom County Health Department COVID-19​ webpage. For updates on WUC work to prevent the spread of the novel virus, visit WhatcomCOVID.com or the Whatcom Unified Command: COVID-19 Facebook page​.

April 15, 2020