The community of Marietta is teaming up with the Lummi Nation, Sunrise Rotary of Bellingham, Marietta Veterans, Whatcom Parks & Recreation Foundation, and Northwest Indian College Foundation to improve a Park in Marietta. The improvement project will include updated playground equipment, a picnic shelter, expanded basketball court, an interpretive display, and park benches.

The land on which the park will be developed is owned by Northwest Indian College Foundation. Vernell Lane, NWIC Foundation Executive Director said, "In February the Foundation board approved the park improvement proposal and supports the development of the park. There's a historic connection with Marietta to the Lummi Nation that's rooted in tribal fishing in the Nooksack river. The improvement of the park will provide an opportunity to educate the community through an interpretive display of it's history," Lane added.

The Community of Marietta is located just north of Bellingham along the Nooksack River. Originally the site of a native fishing village, it has seen its share of boom and bust times. As fishing declined, so did Marietta. The declining fishing impacted the community negatively, hurting the spirit of this small community. To confront the poverty and crime that had arisen, the community converted several vacant lots into a small park. The Northwest Indian College Foundation and Marietta community members proudly erected a small playground set they had built, a small basketball court, and several totem poles. The park has been unofficially named "Veterans" Park in tribute to the many veterans who had served America from this community. However, an official name of the Park will be announced at the dedication ceremony in the future. The Park promotes both community pride and has provided a central location where people could gather. The Park has been extensively used by the people of Marietta and those from the surrounding area, ultimately creating a need to improve the Park's facilities.

Recognizing the continuing effort by the Marietta Community, Sunrise Rotary approached leaders of Marietta, Lummi Nation and Northwest Indian College Foundation to lend a hand. From this initial meeting a plan to upgrade the Park playground equipment was developed. The current plan calls for installing playground equipment reflective of what is seen in today's municipal parks, to expand the basketball court, build a picnic shelter and interpretive center.

The partners of the Marietta Park through an Interpretive Display envision an opportunity to provide education programs that interpret the history of Marietta; the unique historical aspects of the Nooksack river to the Lummi people; to promote local community arts, educational and recreational programs, preserve and promote conservation of natural environments and open spaces. . . . . which will provide a lasting legacy for the Lummi people, the Marietta community and Whatcom County.

Of the $17,000 needed to complete this project, donations totaling $11,000 have already been raised. We now need your support for this great project! Donations can be sent to the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation with an earmark of the Marietta Park (put in address- PO Box 29963. The Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation will handle funds raised and see that costs are paid appropriately.

For additional information Ian O'Callaghan at 360-758-7243, email

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