Peace Arch State Park - Bellingham, WA

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Peace Arch State Park


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Peace Arch State Park is a 20-acre day-use park commemorating treaties and agreements that arose from the war of 1812. The park celebrates the unguarded United States/Canadian border that stretches from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. The park features horticultural exhibitions and the giant, commemorative, concrete arch that straddles the border of the two nations. The countries co-maintain the monument. Recreation within the park includes the annual US/Canadian "Peace Arch" Day, horticultural displays, interpretation, picnicking, and miscellaneous city sponsored recreational programs. There are 20 sheltered and 80 unsheltered picnic tables at the park, available first-come, first-served. Peace Arch does not have a launch but there is one located in Drayton Harbor within walking distance of the park. The 67-foot Peace Arch is jointly maintained by the United States and Canada. The concrete structure was the inspiration of Sam Hill, railroad builder and industrialist. Construction (begun in 1920) completed Sept. 6, 1921. The Arch commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1814 and the Rush-Bagot Agreement in 1817. Entered into by the king of England and President Monroe, these treaties provided for an unguarded United States/Canadian border from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Bay of Funday. Both treaties resulted from the War of 1812 with Great Britain.

Facilities: Peace Arch State Park provides picnic tables and boating facilities.

Reservations: Reservations are not accepted for Peace Arch State Park.

Best Time To Visit: Peace Arch State Park is open year-round from 8:00am - dusk for day use only.

Fees: No fees are charged.

Accessibility: Handicap accessibility is not provided.

Rules: Overnight camping is not permitted.

Directions: To reach Peace Arch State Park from Bellingham start out going northeast on J St toward Ellsworth St. for 0.1 miles. Turn left onto Girard St. for 0.1 miles. Girard St becomes Meridian St. for 1.5 miles. Merge onto I-5 N via the ramp on the left for 20.3 miles. I-5 N becomes Provincial Route 99 N. for 0.1 miles. End at Peace Arch State Park.

Address

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

7150 Cleanwater Lane

P.O. Box 42650

Olympia, Washington 98504

Phone
General: (360) 902-8844

Website

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