The Alabama Hill neighborhood has two parks, St. Clair and Highland Heights. The neighbors and users of Highland Heights Park have recently started a blog to try and get others interested in helping to get the city to make some needed upgrades to the park.
It seems like some of the park equipment has been breaking down and is being removed by the city. The good news is that the city has said that new playground equipment and professional service and design for the park are part of the 2009 city budget. The actual construction phase is in the 2010 budget. The bad news is that the city is projecting a budget deficit and they're looking for places to make budget cuts. The city had approved improvements to 2 parks in 2009, the other park has been removed from the plans leaving only Highland Heights. But considering the financial strains of the times, it probably wouldn't take much to take the park improvement off the budget.
The Alabama Neighborhood Association is trying to come up with ideas to help get the park improved. Their suggestions include a fundraiser, maybe a garage sale in spring, or some other creative way to come up with some funds to show the city that the neighborhood is serious about upgrading the park. With money on the table to help the city is less likely to remove the park improvement project from the budget. If you're interested go to http://highlandheightspark.ning.com/ and help make Highland Heights Park one our kids can really enjoy.
Village Books has been a community leader through philanthropy, education, and activism for many years. Much more than an independent book store, Village Books is owned by Chuck and Dee Robinson. The Bellingham book store is large part of the Fairhaven and larger Bellingham community, connecting individuals and causes through the store’s newsletter, and many book signings and fundraising events they do. As well as traditional fundraising this small business often plays a leadership role in efforts to strengthen and enhance the Whatcom County community. Village Books helped lead the way for Bellingham to become the number one “Green Power” city in the country and to become a national leader in the area of sustainable living. Village Books also led the way in establishing the Fairhaven Village Green Fund, the Korean War Children’s Memorial Fund, and the Depot Market Fund. Chuck and Dee Robinson maintain the public trails near their store and contribute to numerous community non-profit organizations that help preserve salmon habitat, wet lands, working farms and clean water. They also teach children and adults how to read – and even feed them when they’re hungry.
The Sudden Valley golf course was designed to be the centerpiece for the private community of Sudden Valley. It is rated "Four Stars" by Golf Digest. Sudden Valley has been the site of many major Northwest tournaments including a Washington State Open, four Washington State Men's Amateur Championships, a Master-40, a Washington State Senior Women's Championship, the Men's Mid-Am and numerous PNWPGA Pro-Amateur tournaments. There is a full service pro shop for all of your golfing needs, a bar & Grill that is open 7 days a week and an all grass practice facility that is maintained with same degree of professionalism that is given the golf course. There are also some great professional instructors who can help you improve your game.
The front nine is pretty open and flat and borders Lake Whatcom. Fairway lands are fairly generous and the greens are large. The back nine follows a ridge uphill with narrower evergreen-fringed fairways and smaller greens with lots of character. The Sudden Valley golf course is considered a true masterpiece, stressing finesse and accuracy with water hazards on fourteen of the eighteen holes and some forty-seven bunkers sprinkled throughout the course.
