Summer in Bellingham arrived all at once this week. Three city spray parks opened their gates on Monday, June 15. The Elizabeth Park Concert Series kicked off its 32nd season Thursday evening. And the Bellingham Bells, the city's beloved summer collegiate baseball team, are back swinging at Civic Field. For residents looking for affordable, family-friendly ways to spend the coming weeks, the lineup is packed.
The City of Bellingham operates three spray parks across different neighborhoods, giving families in various corners of the city easy access to free outdoor water play. Cornwall Memorial Park in the heart of Bellingham, Fairhaven Park in the historic Fairhaven neighborhood, and Cordata Park in the north end all opened Monday. All three will run daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through September 15. The city notes that all spray parks use fresh, potable water that is not recycled, which addresses a common question from parents. Admission is free.
The Elizabeth Park Concert Series, now entering its 32nd year, is one of Bellingham's longest-running summer traditions. This free, family-friendly series runs every Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elizabeth Park through August 20. Picnicking is encouraged, and food and dessert vendors will be on-site each week. The full concert lineup is available on page 23 of the City's Spring/Summer Playbook.
Outdoor concert options do not stop with Elizabeth Park. Free monthly concerts at Boulevard Park begin next Friday, June 26 at 6 p.m. Boulevard Park, perched at the water's edge on the south side of Bellingham Bay, offers one of the most scenic concert settings in the city. The monthly series continues through the summer.
The city is also launching a new children's concert series at Maritime Heritage Park this August. Running for three weeks from noon to 1 p.m., the series promises interactive performances including hula hoops and other hands-on fun aimed at younger audiences. It rounds out a summer schedule that gives residents options from the north end to Fairhaven and from the waterfront to neighborhood parks.
The Bellingham Bells are back at Civic Field for their summer collegiate baseball season. The Bells compete in the West Coast League, which draws top college players from across the country who are not yet eligible for professional drafts. Games are a summertime staple for many Whatcom County families. This week, the City passed along an insider tip: bring your Bellingham Public Library card to the game next Thursday, June 26, for a free ticket. Details on library card promotions are available through the Bellingham Public Library.
The City also used this week's Inside Bellingham newsletter to highlight new resources for homeowners considering accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and middle housing. The city recently updated its planning guides and online tools to make the permitting process more accessible, including a new ADU development quick guide and a middle housing development webpage. Residents curious about adding a backyard cottage or other infill housing to their property can find the updated materials at cob.org/services/planning.
For the full weekly summary of city news, including service updates, permit information, and upcoming events, the City publishes the Inside Bellingham newsletter each week. This week's edition is available on the city website and covers everything from spray park hours to housing tools to summer programming.
With warmer weather finally settling in across Whatcom County, this week's announcements signal a full pivot into summer mode for city programs and parks. Whether you are cooling off at a spray park, catching live music in the park, or watching the Bells play ball under the long June evenings, Bellingham has something free and local on the calendar most nights between now and September.
