New summer schedule for Arne Hanna Aquatic Center

While the spring swimming schedule and events for the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center are coming to a close, the new summer schedule becomes effective starting June 21 and continues until Aug. 15. The aquatic center is located on Potter Street off I-5 north, so the summer activities are conveniently held near the York District and its residents.

There is online, walk-in, and over-the-phone registration for the weekly activities and all age groups are able to join, including seniors and those classified as Disabled by the State or Federal government. Lap swim, swim lessons, deep-water running, water aerobics, and other programs are available Monday through Friday, as well as preschool swim and H20 child care. Many other programs are included in the summer schedule such as swim teams and kayaking, and basic open swim is available at certain time slots throughout the week.

Water safety instructor courses are provided for students over the age of 16 where completers will receive a certificate allowing them to teach American Red Cross’s Learn-to-Swim courses and parent/child programs. There are also lifeguard training courses for potential lifeguards and lifeguard review courses for those who already have certification.

The aquatic center is also joining pools from around the world to break the 2013 World Record for the largest simultaneous swim lesson. The world’s largest swimming lesson will be attempted on June 20th where the importance of swim lessons and water safety will be taught to children. The swim lesson is held at no cost and the registration deadline is scheduled a day before the event on June 19.

The Arne Hanna Aquatic Center is offers activities Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. After the aquatic center’s weekend activities come to close at 6:45 p.m., the pool is available to rent out for birthdays and entertainment.

Details following gas leak during construction on State Street and Magnolia Street

Construction occurring on the intersection of North State Street and East Magnolia Street was disrupted last Tuesday afternoon, May 6, at 2 p.m. when a natural gas line was hit, as the City of Bellingham said.  

An excavator caused the leak, which was meant to break up the surrounding asphalt, when it accidentally broke the gas the line, according to the City of Bellingham. A few businesses near the construction site, including The Velvet Rope Hair Studio, had to be evacuated after the gas leak occurred. Even though no hazard was expected to harm the community, there was a slight gas odor from the release that many citizens in the area detected.

There were emergency crews on the scene including the Bellingham Fire Department, City of Bellingham Public Works, and Cascade Natural Gas. Until the leak was under control and the work to repair the gas line was completed, the crews wanted citizens to stay out of the area in order to take safe precautions. The Bellingham Fire crews monitored the gas in the air once they were on the scene but said most of the gas was dissipating, partly due to the windy conditions last Tuesday.

The repairing of the line was estimated to be completed by 6 p.m., according to the City of Bellingham website.

Construction on North State Street and Magnolia Street is ongoing due to the annual water main replacement and one-lane closures are expected to occur in the area throughout the next week.

Nice weather bringing York residents to Franklin Park, right-of-way issues may arise

With the end of last week’s sunny weather heading into the 70’s, many Yorkers gathered at Franklin Park on the 1200^th block between Whatcom Street and Franklin Street. Children, parents, and adults were entertained by the basketball court, picnic-seating area, and grassy open space that provided space for Frisbee and passing around the soccer ball.

The summery days ahead will bring much more activity to the park and opportunities for observation of the surrounding area. The right-of-way on the block of the park has many patches of grass and open area that has become a place for potential natural vegetation. There is also open space in Franklin Park for a trail system for the public. Another area that needs improving and vegetation, according to the York Neighborhood Plan, is the street island north of the park. York residents have put a lot of effort into restoring the park and have been working with the Parks Volunteer Program to help restore the right-of-way area.

Summer has not yet begun and only two days of hot weather brought a decent amount of activity to the park. The volunteers already familiar with the existing potential vegetation and unused space will continue to work for it to be improved, as was said at the neighborhood association meeting, and hope that others will become aware of the problem too.

A work party with the Parks Volunteer Program started restoring the area last month and will continue to help organize events where York residents can come restore natural vegetation to the area. When benches and trails are to be added, the community hopes that the City Planning Department will assist them in their attempts to make the park an attractive and friendly area.

Franklin Park already has much to offer and the York community would like to see it the best condition possible. 

Welcome to York Neighborhood News!

The York Neighborhood News site is an informative look into daily life and events in and pertaining to the York area in Bellingham, Wash. York is bordered by I-5, starting from N. Samish Way and ending at Meador Avenue and Whatcom Creek. The western border of the neighborhood includes N. State Street, E. Holly Street, and Ellis Street.

Issues such as crime, safety, and city projects are covered as well as fun and engaging community events. The housing in the York Neighborhood is occupied mostly by college students, so a fair amount of articles and blogs may come from student issues. However, the community of York is diverse and populated so story topics will have a wide range. 

Concentrating only on issues within York's boundaries, news of any kind can be found at the York Neighborhood News site. If you are looking for information regarding the York area, you've come to the right place!