Horseshoes and hand gre-- er, Frisbees? - Cornwall Park

I decided for this week's walk to loop around Cornwall Park. Cornwall Park has a lot to offer. It has two playgrounds, a 9-hole disc golf course (though the last few times I have been here a couple of the baskets were missing), horseshoe pits, and tennis courts.

There are three entrances to the park: two on Meridian Street and one on the north end of Cornwall Ave. I usually start my loop from the Cornwall Ave entrance, but you can access the trails from anywhere. There are several trails, but I usually do a wide loop around the whole park.

Cornwall Park
Bellingham Parks and Rec
Parking permit: none needed

From the Cornwall Ave parking lot, I take the trail that goes steeply uphill past the elementary school. In short order there's a junction where you can go back into the park, continue around the perimeter, or venture into the woods for a more hike-y experience. It's a bit difficult to see the woodland trail this time of year with all the leaves on the ground, but it's there.

Looking regal (actually he was watching two squirrels have a fight)

There are a few short paths that intertwine up along the ridge and go between the trail that runs along the lawn and the perimeter trail.

One way or another, you'll get spit out by the central parking lot and the first Frisbee golf hole.

Defunct info booth is defunct

To continue around the park, head up toward Squalicum Creek and a small waterfall and cross at the bridge.

As a kid, I played a lot in that water in the summer. Looking at all the foam pollution, I probably shouldn't have (it was just as dirty then as it is now).

Walk past the north parking lot and head back across the other bridge!

The third Frisbee golf hole clearly doesn't get much sunlight this time of year, as it was frosted over.

Across the driveway head back up the hill on the other side of the park. This is a surprisingly quiet corner of the park that doesn't see as much foot traffic. In the springtime, there are colorful magnolia trees in bloom here.

Eventually you'll end up near the tennis courts and Hole #5 of the course, which was missing along with Hole #6 when I went through. The signs warning walkers to watch for flying discs were also missing, so maybe they're planning to rearrange the course? (The trail actually crosses Hole #5, so watch out just in case.)

Heading back toward the south parking lot, you'll pass the horseshoe pits. I actually pitched horseshoes in high school at these very courts. It's nice to see that they still seem to get some attention. I'll have to find my old shoes one of these days and try them out again.