County Parks

Silver Lake Park1

The 411 acres of Silver Lake Park encompass a former private resort, an early-day homestead, and an old logging site. Much of the day-use centers on the lake, where swimming beaches, a play area for children, boating, fishing, and picnic areas are available.

There is a public boat launch for private boats. Seasonal rentals of rowboats, pedal boats, and canoes are available at the park office located in the Day Lodge.

Back to Top

Samish Park

The 39-acre site of Samish Park became the first Whatcom County park in 1968. It sits at the southeast slopes of the Chuckanut Mountains and at one time the timber industry used the lake as a log-rafting pond. With about 1500 feet of shoreline, the property was formerly a fishing resort known as Paradise Point. Currently, this day-use facility has an enclosed swimming area, a fishing dock, non-powered boat rentals, hiking trails, picnic facilities, and a children's playground.2

Back to Top

Hovander Homestead Park3

Life on a working farm in the early part of the 20th century may be easier for present-day people to imagine once they have visited Hovander Homestead Park, a pioneer Whatcom County farm which was restored by the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department and opened to the public in 1971.

The site, which includes a mile of river frontage along the Nooksack River as well as sixty acres of fertile farmland, was the home of Hokan Hovander, a Swedish architect, who brought his family to Whatcom County in 1896.

The house, into which he designed many features (including central heating) not generally found in farm dwellings of the period, was finished in 1903, and the barn, which is among the largest in the county, was completed in 1911.

Visitors may tour the house, barn, and outbuildings. The house is furnished in keeping with its time, using many pieces brought from Sweden by the family and other items collected by Otis Hovander, who lived in the family home until 1969.

In the barn and on the grounds, a collection of antique farm implements and vehicles are displayed; and in the restored milk house one may see much of the equipment used by the family to make butter and cheese. At appropriate times of the year, visitors may watch sheep being sheared or their wool being spun into soft yarn. A collection of farm animals adds authentic sounds and smells to the scene. Picnic tables are located throughout the grounds, and park users may fish on the river or hike along the sandbars.

In 1974, Hovander Homestead Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Back to Top

Tennant Lake Interpretive Center4

The Tennant Lake Wildlife Area allows the visitor to experience a spectacular wetland. An elevated boardwalk meanders through swamp and marsh habitats along the edge of the shallow lake providing unique views of birds, vegetation, and aquatic animals. A 50-foot tower gives visitors an unobstructed view of Tennant Lake and the surrounding wetlands. From the tower Mount Baker to the east creates a backdrop for nature observation. A monitor at the base of the tower allows those in wheelchairs to experience the sights from up top. Pan, tilt, and zoom functions on the camera provide the disabled visitor a range of viewing possibilities.

In the Interpretive Center mounted wildlife, displays, and maps interpret the surrounding flora, fauna, and natural processes at work at Tennant Lake. Interpretive displays provide hands-on activities for children of all ages. An on-site naturalist is available to answer questions. The center is open year round, but hours vary according to season. Summer hours are Thursday - Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

Adjacent to the Tennant Lake Interpretive Center is the award-winning Fragrance Garden. Visitors are encouraged to touch, smell, and enjoy the beauty of over 200 plants. The raised beds are wheel chair accessible and have a unique Braille system that provides plant identification for the blind. To get a truly special experience from your garden visit, schedule a tour with the Fragrance Gardener Peter O'Cean. Also visit the delightful Children's Garden, a recent recipient of the Kidsgardening.com Community Spirit Award for 2001 from the National Gardening Association. The Children's Garden is a place where kids come together to learn about the environment through gardening programs.

Trails available at the park include the Boardwalk Loop Trail, the Hovander Homestead Trail, and the River Dike Access Trail.

Back to Top

Semiahmoo Park

The 1.5 mile long sandspit at Semiahmoo, aside from being a striking natural landform, has long been associated with the fishing industry both on Puget Sound and in Alaska, as the last port of call for the legendary Alaska Packers Association sailing fleet. Within the park over 300 acres of tidelands offer an abundance of recreational opportunities. Park visitors may enjoy beachcombing, clam digging, birdwatching, and picnicking year-round.5

Back to Top

References Cited

1. Whatcom County Government. Silver Lake Park. <http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/silverlake/silverlake.jsp>

2. Whatcom County Government. Lake Samish Park. <http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/samish/samish.jsp>

3. Whatcom County Government. Hovander Homestead Park. <http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/hovander/hovander.jsp>

4. Whatcom County Government. Tennant Lake Interpretive Center and Fragrance Garden. <http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/tennantlake/index.jsp>

5. Whatcom County Government. Semiahmoo Park. <http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/semiahmoo/semiahmoo.jsp>

Back to Top