The Gentrification of Hundred Acre Wood

by Ron Kleinknecht

I walk the wooded trails in Hundred Acre Wood (adjacent to Fairhaven Park) quite often in all seasons. My son introduced me to this lovely forest where he and his middle school pals rode their bicycles with great abandon. It was their special escape, in town but out of the purview of adults.

A few years later, as adults, they now walk their dogs for exercise for both. It is a lovely wood that contains the elements of most other wooded areas in the county — mixed forest, wetlands, large swaths of native flora, and numerous rustic trails across varying terrains that provide exercise opportunities for people and their pets. If you come at slow-use times, you might even find solitude in the middle of the city akin to “forest bathing” and opportunities to absorb the essence of nature — ravens chattering in the canopy, owls hooting and the breeze rustling the leaves and boughs of maple, alder, cedar and fir trees.

A short walk there enables one to foretell the coming and going of seasons as our ancestors and the indigenous peoples have done for eons. Spring is heralded by the emergence of plants such as skunk cabbage’s broad green leaves and bright yellow flower in wetlands and seeps. Trillium sprouts with its three leaves and beautiful three-petaled white flowers, nestled alongside nettles awaiting a bare leg or hand to sting. Then, there are sword ferns virtually covering the landscape with their fiddleheads popping up in the center of the flagging fronds from last year.

What is in this forest park that makes it a Northwest forest? Appendix A of the City’s Hundred Acre Wood Master Plan (Master Plan)(1) lists results of several surveys to document the native flora and fauna that include the following number of species: 18 trees, 51 birds, 9 mammals, 60 shrubs and herbaceous plants and 106 fungi. Additionally 19 non-native plant species were recorded. This seems consistent with the profile of other forestlands in our area.

Timeline Up to 2022

The land structure underlying the Hundred Acre Wood Park (the Park) originates before the Eocene epoch (54 – 38 million years ago), when the area and south of what is now the Chuckanut Mountain was part of a large tropical floodplain. Rivers flowing from the east deposited sand and gravel that accumulated to upwards of 20,000 feet thick.(2) These deposits were compressed into sandstone and conglomerate.

The abundant flora of that time was compressed into coal and shale deposits, capturing numerous fossil imprints of the plants that covered the Chuckanut formation-to-be. Eventually, about 40 million years ago, the land became the Chuckanut Formation, including Chuckanut Mountain.(2) The Park and south Bellingham sit on the northwest edge of that formation. The foundation of this terrain was formed long before the Cascade Mountains and our majestic mountains, Baker and Shuksan.

A long time gap spans between the Eocene and our more recent history, which includes the habitation of the Lummi and Nooksack tribes among others. But, archeological analyses have found no evidence of these indigenous ancestors having actually occupied the specific area that is now the Hundred Acre Wood. They had set up camps nearby along the bay from where they fished and collected shellfish. (3)

Fast-forward to the mid- to late 1800s to 1930s or so when loggers cleared this land of its magnificent old-growth timber. Although few specifics are known, the Park area and more were likely denuded during this time. Although the forest is clearly not old-growth, today’s trees are estimated to be about 80 years old with one Sitka spruce estimated to be approximately 300 years old.

Following the logging, a gravel pit was operated in the heart of what is now the Park, probably in the 1970s or 1980s. During this time period, my kids and most others who grew up on the south side recall seeing the gravel pit on their bike rides. A road was constructed through the property from 24th Street to Chuckanut Drive and is the basis for much of the main trail today. Little is recorded about this operation, but it was probably discontinued when financial interests arose with larger plans for private development.

Current History

Subsequently, between 1980 and 2011, several residential property development proposals were submitted to the city, one to build as many as 1,464 homes on the 82 acres that then comprised the Fairhaven Community Forest, a precursor to the Park. Fortunately for the community, both proposals failed to pass the City of Bellingham planning review and the Environmental Impact Statements. Eventually, the property defaulted to Washington Federal Bank from which the city purchased the 82 acres for $8.23 million in 2011.(1)

To the original 82 acres, additional plots of land were acquired through purchase, gifts and transfers to piece together the current 112 acres. This acreage includes the lovely Hoag’s Pond just east of the interurban trail and 24th Street. The pond and its immediate surrounding 13 acres were purchased in 1999. This pond is fed by small tributaries of runoff draining from the adjacent higher ground and has a 0.4 mile rustic but easily walkable trail around it. The pond is in turn drained by Hoag’s Creek that runs south and feeds into Chuckanut Creek just west of Arroyo Park.

Interurban Greenway and Hoag’s Pond — Two undeveloped residential parcels (1/3 acre) were purchased adjacent to the Hundred Acre Wood: Hoag’s Pond, and Interurban Greenway. Thanks to a generous donor, a third undeveloped parcel (1/10 acre) was accepted by the city as a donation to be used for park and trail purposes. City ownership of these properties expands open space, protects water quality, and buffers important forested wetlands. (4)

Once the various segments of the 112 acres were secured by the city, the task was to determine how it might all be maintained as a community urban forest. Various conservation easements were granted (e.g. Whatcom Land Trust and Recreation Northwest) to maintain and secure the property in perpetuity for public use. In 2014, the city rezoned this space from Residential to Public Open Space and began the formal process of planning the property’s future.

Plan, Processes and Goals

In the fall of 2021, the city distributed questionnaires to assess current uses and what improvements respondents would like to see in the newly consolidated woods. These surveys were distributed online via Engage Bellingham on-site, and mailed to nearby residents. (5) Of the 716 surveys received, nearly all respondents reportedly used the Park and (64 percent) reported using it at least once per week. The largest category of use by these respondents was walking (n = 616) or walking dogs (n = 299). The numbers or percentages exceed 716 or 100 percent since a respondent could indicate more than one use.

Biking was the second most common use of the area and was divided into recreational (n = 326) and commuting (n = 153). Running was noted by 246. Other, lesser uses in order of mention were: wildlife viewing, photography, children’s activities, picnicking and education. Thus, it appears that two- and four-legged exercise was clearly the primary use of this area.

Concerning proposed uses and changes to the area, there were some agreements and disagreements among the various respondents in the several sources of feedback. Other feedback sessions included open houses by the Parks Department and online surveys through Engage Bellingham.

Respondents’ agreement on selected proposed additions: (See Engage Bellingham (5) for more details.)

•  67 percent: dogs should continue to be on-leash only
•  63 percent: the Park be named Hundred Acre Wood
•  62 percent: native plant garden
•  52 percent: install benches
• 52 percent: additional parking
• 44 percent: accessible paved trails
• 42 percent: covered view pavilion

Although there was good community agreement on some facets of the proposals, there was dissent as well on some issues. I’ll address some of these concerns shortly.

The City Council approved the current Master Plan on September 12, 2022, after a year-long process. The Department of Parks and Recreation and various committees met to consider the survey, feedback from open houses and the city’s goals (PRO Plan). Details of this planning process and the implementation plan are found in the Master Plan (1).

Master Plan Changes for the Forest

There are numerous projects planned over two phases to be completed between 2023 and 2029. Below, I will note some of the more substantive changes planned, underway or completed.

The basic thrust of the Master Plan is outlined as:

“This Hundred Acre Wood Master Plan will guide future activities within the Park that serve to restore and preserve the natural environment while providing appropriate educational and low-impact recreational opportunities to a diverse group of users.” (1)

Some of the reclamation plans are quite specific and currently underway or completed. Others are more vague such as “Climate Resiliency” and are left open depending on ideas, needs, and money to accomplish them in accordance with the Plan’s ecological goals. Following is a listing of some the more specific plans that will be visible to users.

1. Signage
a. Six entry points will be signed along with enhanced parking.
b. Directional/Waypoint signs at critical junctions (“You Are Here.”)
c. Park Rules e.g., dogs on leash, pick up poop and deposit in receptacles, bicycles to be walked on all but main trail, no fires or camping.
d. Native plant names (native plant garden)

2. Realign, decommission and improve trails
a. Some trails will be eliminated if deemed too steep, dangerous, or if they cause soil erosion or that might impact wetlands or muddy areas. Others will be decommissioned if they are deemed redundant or confusing. Several are now fenced off to recover wetlands. Others, such as the main trail beds, will have limestone gravel added for maintenance access.
b. Wide existing trails will be narrowed to 6 feet where possible.
c. Boardwalks will be erected across rivulets and wetlands where feasible

3. Soil structure will be restored where degraded or compacted, and native vegetation will be planted. Invasive species will be removed.

4. Constructions or additions include installing garbage cans and pet waste stations, benches, outdoor learning space classroom/lecture space.

5. Build in climate resiliency within and around the Park.

The first phase projects of some of the proposed items noted above are already completed, while others are underway.

Implementation

The 112 acres of forest, trails, educational spaces, along with 78 species of native plants is a large space to be monitored, kept up, restored and remodeled in accordance with the Master Plan. Who will do it? The City of Bellingham owns it and I assume would be the primary caretaker. To assist in this rather large undertaking, several nonprofit groups have signed conservation easements to monitor and assist in restoration and upkeep.

Two such groups that have already been active in this project include Recreation Northwest (RN) that served as monitor from 2014 until 2023. Thus far, RN has facilitated the construction of the outdoor classroom, education programs of the Native Plant Garden, and the Recognition Bench.(7, 8)

The second nonprofit to assist is Whatcom Land Trust that signed a conservation easement in July 2023 on the original 82 acres previously named Chuckanut Community Forest. They, along with their numerous volunteer conservationists, will monitor this acreage in perpetuity. They are experts at such habitat restoration and will take this on along with the other 26,894 acres that they protect and nourish in Whatcom County.(9) Numerous other groups, too many to mention here, have chipped in mightily along the way to get the ball rolling on this large project.

With the current easement, the WLT and RN will hold stewardship obligations to the property to ensure that its important ecological features are protected in perpetuity. Those features prioritized for protection include wetlands and wildlife corridors. The easement also calls for monitoring and allowance for low-intensity recreational use (walking, cycling) and for educational functions including outdoor classrooms, educational signage and a native plant identification garden. The outdoor classroom and native plant garden, currently operative, are the joint responsibility of the COB and Recreation Northwest. (9)

The COB, WLT and RN will hold joint work parties to carry out much of the monitoring and maintenance over the years to come. For example, the Parks Department held a joint work party with WLT on June 22 to decommission a couple of social trails, and begin the decompaction process on those trails. Decompaction involves loosening the compacted soil to a depth of 18 inches to allow better drainage and aeration of the soil so that new plantings can take hold and thrive.

Personal Observations

Following the joint work party by Parks Department and WLT volunteers, I took about an hour’s walk through a portion of the woods. First, it was clear that spring had passed as things were getting dry. Nonetheless, it was a lovely morning. On this mile and a half tour, I saw two people, two ravens, a squirrel, assorted birds, one green dog poop bag along the trail and heard a disembodied voice in the distance. This is just the way I like it! However, there are many disparate views on what, if anything, should be done to the Park.

For the most part, I approve of much of the coming change and I believe these changes will enhance the Park and preserve it for generations to come. However, I am less approving of some of the proposed changes as I believe that the gentrification maybe has begun.

From my personal perspective and that of a number of regular Park users with whom I have discussed the coming changes, we are concerned particularly with the decommissioning of some trails. The Plan lists a series of considerations to be taken into account in determining which trails will be decommissioned, such as: “Does a trail impact protected wetlands, critical habitat or species or hydrologic connectivity?” (1, Appx. B) I think most users would agree that this is clearly designed to preserve the nature of the Park and is critical to its restoration.

It is less clear how some other considerations listed are to meet the Park goals. For example: “Does the trail connect to a destination or point of interest?” To me, a point of interest is in the eye of the beholder. Further, one of the objects of being in woodlands is to enjoy the journey in nature and your surroundings rather than seeking a destination point. I enjoy lush trails that might or might not go anywhere. This is not Yellowstone and we don’t have geysers … If such destinations were one’s goal, it certainly would not be conducive to relaxed immersion in nature, which, after all, is one of goals of this enterprise.

It seems to me that such decommissions could render the Park more like an “Arboreal Zoo” (look, but don’t touch) or a tidy city park. Essentially, we hope it will not become over-developed or gentrified. I recently walked through Whatcom Falls Park for the first time in several years and was struck by how I felt hemmed in with numerous signs telling me to stay on trails. Further, there were just a very few main trails with no side trails where one could enjoy a sense of seclusion in nature.

Another concern I have is that I see no acknowledgement or provisions to accommodate foragers who have plied these woods for years, just like our forebears did for eons. Two groups that I have observed foraging there come to mind: mushroomers, and those who pick nettles for educational, medical/health, and gastronomic purposes. You can’t do this from a highly structured park trail.

Most regular users I know, including myself, have expressed our desire that this 112 acres of forest would remain more forest-like and rustic. We fear that it might become more park-like and gentrified. At the same time, we are immensely grateful that this bit of forest will be monitored and will retain its natural state in perpetuity for the entire community to enjoy. The forest is now, and, with the plan and its implementation, will continue to be a community treasure for Bellingham residents to be proud of.

Perhaps, I will see some of the readers out there as we walk these trails. If you like this forest, I urge you to get involved and participate in some work parties with COB, RN and WLT to make this plan into a reality. (8, 9)

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Ron Kleinknecht is professor emeritus of psychology and dean emeritus of Western Washington University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences. He currently serves as immediate past chair of the Whatcom Community College Foundation Board of Directors.

References:

1.  https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/HundredAcre-Master-Plan-Final-9-12-22.pdf
2.  Babcock, S & Carson, B. (2000) “Hiking Washington’s Geology.” Mountaineers, Seattle.
3.   City of Bellingham. (1997). Section 2. Additional Information, Archaeology Survey. Final Environmental Impact Statement for Chuckanut Ridge Planned Development, Bellingham WA.
4.  https://cob.org/news/2023—city- purchases-properties-for-trails-parks-and-open-spaces
5.  https://engagebellingham.org/
6.  https://cob.org/project chuckanut- community-forest-master-plan
7.  https://cob.org/wp-content/uploads/Recreation-Northwest-Project-Overview-Outdoor-Classroom.pdf
8.  https://www.recreationnorthwest.org/programs/fairhaven-park/
9.  https://whatcomlandtrust.org/get-involved/