We arrived at Lake Padden at 11:00 am on a nice Thursday to find an almost empty parking lot! There are a two entrances, we used the first since we were planning on walking most of the 2.6 mile loop around the lake before hitting the playground for a picnic lunch {so basically, we bribed the girls with the playground... hey, whatever works}. We met Jen and Natalie on the path near the parking lot, ready to begin our adventure.
If you plan on walking around the lake, I really recommend heading counter-clockwise around the lake, unless you enjoy physical torture, or do not have a stroller {or in my case a double stroller with 70+ pounds of kids in it}. Luckily, Jen knew which way to go {seriously, she's my hero for that}. I didn't take the time to snap any pictures on the trail because I was pushing the stroller {and my camera is not the best}. It is gorgeous and you will have to see it for yourself ;) Most of the trail is through the woods with trees and ferns all around, and {of course} the lake in the middle. It is mostly shaded, so may be on the colder side if it's not as nice out. There are a few steep spots, so I wouldn't let my girls stray out of sight.
The path has a few offshoots, which I believe are trail heads {one sign had a horse on it} but we stayed on the main trail that loops around the lake. The path is cement in parts, but mostly gravel/rock and dirt. Jen told me that it gets muddy after it rains. Our 2 strollers fit side-by-side, with room for one more. We encountered quite a few dog-walkers and joggers, as well as other parents with strollers. Some of the dogs were off-leash, and there is a dog park nearby, but we didn't have any issues {Mia is afraid of dogs... when she feels like it}.
When you come out of the trees and stroll by a softball field and some bathrooms, you know you are getting close to the playground! There are some nice views of the lake at this point, as well. The girls were beyond excited at this point, and took off running toward the playground! The playground is one large area covered with cedar. It is home to two play structures, a ride-on springy type toy, and swings {yay} with two baby and two regular swings. There is also a basketball hoop nearby.
Of course, soon, it was time to find a potty. Instead of walking back to the one we had seen before the ball field, we found a closer one, past a picnic shelter further ahead on the trail. The bathrooms are what you would expect, all cement and metal, with no soap {basically ones that can be hosed down to clean}. Luckily, this time, I remembered to bring the hand sanitizer.
We found a picnic table nearby and had a nice lunch next to the lake. We noticed two picnic shelters, a number of benches and other tables around the lake. While eating, there was one duck that came really close {no, we didn't feed it} and the girls had fun "quacking" at it and its entire family. We watched a jogger toss {literally} their dog in the lake for a swim and another person fishing. It was a nice way to spend our afternoon!
The girls played for a while before a family of older boys started taking over the playground and scaring off the younger kids. Luckily, they did not stay very long. The girls mainly played on the larger structure's corkscrew slide and green tube with holes in it, meant for climbing {I think}, but Mia kept sliding down it {because the boys kept sliding up the slide, I'm sure}. There were also some monkey bars, and a few platforms to play on.
The smaller structure was largely ignored by the girls, except to slide down once. I would say it is for really little ones, maybe for under age 2. It has a ramp, slide, and platform section. I didn't see many kids playing on it. There was evidence that some older kids had taken chalk and played a few games of tic-tac-toe on the side of it, however {at least, I think it was chalk}.
There is a lot to do at this park! Bring a picnic blanket along for a lunch in the many grassy areas, a ball to kick, bounce or hit, or a book to read. We saw quite a few people sunbathing. On the trail around the lake there are some more secluded spots along the outer edges, a small dock, and even raised fire pits if you feel like barbecuing. You can also camp here, boat, golf, and swim!
By the time we left the park, it was almost 2:00 pm, and there were barely any parking spots left {mid-summer, mid-week}. The park did not feel crowded at all during our outing, and we had a nice time! We will definitely return.
The park is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm. For more information, check out the City of Bellingham's website.
:) Jen
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