Harriet Spanel Park is a renovated neighborhood park in Bellingham’s York neighborhood, formerly known as Franklin Park and renamed in 2017 for the late state legislator. The renovation gave it an accessible playground, a picnic shelter, a skate dot, a basketball court and a loop path with lighting. It is a solid, modern neighborhood park rather than a destination, the kind of place families and neighbors use for after-school play, a quick shoot-around or an evening walk. There is no dedicated parking lot, so it is built around walk-up access from the surrounding streets, which suits its role as a true neighborhood gathering spot.

What you’ll find

The renovated park offers an accessible playground, a picnic shelter for gatherings, a skate dot for skaters, a basketball court for pickup games, and a loop path with lighting that makes evening use comfortable. Picnic tables round out the open areas. There is no dedicated parking lot or restroom building, which keeps it a walk-up neighborhood park. The accessibility focus and the lit loop are the standouts, making it usable for a range of ages and into the evening. It is a tidy, contemporary neighborhood park serving the York area’s day-to-day recreation.

Good for

Harriet Spanel suits York-neighborhood families who want a good accessible playground close to home, kids on bikes and scooters using the skate dot, and neighbors wanting a lit loop for an evening walk. The basketball court draws casual pickup play. It is an everyday park rather than a weekend destination. The trade-offs are scale and services: no parking lot, no restrooms, and a compact footprint, so it is best for people who can walk in from nearby rather than drive across town for it.

Getting there

Harriet Spanel Park is in the York neighborhood, just east of downtown Bellingham, embedded among the area’s residential streets. There is no dedicated parking lot, so on-street parking and walking in from the neighborhood are the norm. The playground and paths are designed to be accessible, with the lit loop usable into the evening. As a neighborhood park, it is really meant to be reached on foot from the surrounding York streets, which is part of what gives it a local, community feel.

A local broker’s take

The York neighborhood sits just east of downtown and appeals to buyers who want walkability, character and a quick reach into the city core. A renovated park with an accessible playground and a lit loop right in the neighborhood adds to that everyday livability. York has a mix of older homes and infill, so there is range here. If you are drawn to being close to downtown without being in it, I can help you find the right York street and explain how the neighborhood’s mix of housing and its parks factor into value and lifestyle.

Good to know

Was Harriet Spanel Park formerly called Franklin Park?

Yes. The park was renamed from Franklin Park to Harriet Spanel Park in 2017, honoring the late Washington state legislator Harriet Spanel.

Is the playground at Harriet Spanel Park accessible?

Yes. The renovation included an accessible playground, along with a lit loop path, a skate dot, a basketball court and a picnic shelter.

Is there parking at Harriet Spanel Park?

There is no dedicated parking lot. It is a walk-up neighborhood park, so on-street parking and arriving on foot from the surrounding York streets are the norm.