FERNDALE, Wash. — Officials with the Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Department announced today, February 8th, that Hovander Homestead Park can be expected to remain closed for a few more months.
The park and adjacent Tennant Lake Interpretive Center and Wildlife Area were closed after the mid-November flood event caused significant damage to the properties. This includes “damage to roads, trails, parking lots, playgrounds, fencing, grounds, turf, utilities, and buildings,” according to today’s announcement.
A full reopening of the park is not expected until mid-May.
Parks is working to secure funding to implement large scale repairs. Additionally, some work requires that conditions dry out. For example, any work that requires wheeled or tracked equipment must wait until the ground is dry enough to support the equipment without causing further damage.
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Work will progress as funding and conditions allow. Full opening of the park is anticipated by Mid-May, but a phased opening may be implemented as work is completed.
Hovander is a beloved park in this community. However, for the safety of everyone, we ask that park closed signage be respected and users temporarily recreate at one of the other beautiful spaces this County has to offer.Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Department (February 8, 2022)
Whatcom County Fire District 7 personnel were recently called out to the park area after receiving a report of a person who ended up stuck on the river bank after attempting to walk their dog through the closed area. WCFD7 personnel that responded faced challenges due to the flood damage.
It will be interesting if the park is ready in time for Ski to Sea!!