This document discusses the Northwest Necklace trail system in Blaine, Washington. The Northwest Necklace is a planned network of multi-use trails connecting parks, beaches, and points of interest in Blaine. It has faced challenges completing connections due to narrow roads, seasonal ferry service, and loss of bike lanes to vehicle parking. However, successful completed trail projects as part of the Necklace include the Drayton Cove Trail, Semiahmoo Spit Trails, and Peace Portal Community Trail. The City of Blaine and other partners aim to close remaining gaps in the Necklace to create a continuous trail loop for residents and visitors.

1. Blaine Trails
The Northwest Necklace
Michael Jones, Community Development Director
Deborah Harger, Community & Tourism Development Coordinator
Alex Wenger, Community Planner II
Active Transportation Summit
October 11, 2012

4. Plan It

6. Northwest Necklace Original Concept

14. Telling the Story
Interpretive Signage Plan

15. Heritage
H

16. H
Ecology

17. Wildlife

18. History

19. The Northwest Necklace
Planning and Funding Partners
•City of Blaine
•Port of Bellingham
•Whatcom Council of Governments – Coast Millennium Trail
•NW Parks and Recreation District 2
•WSDOT- Funding Partner
•Drayton Harbor Maritime
•Development Projects
•Whatcom County Parks

20. 1992 Federal Grant for Marine Drive Bike Trail
“Walking and bicycle paths are our number one priority,”
Sturgill said. “(The paths) are meeting a need.”
November 12, 1992, The Blaine
Banner

21. 2012 Marine Drive Trail

22. Closing the Clasp
Water Transportation Link
Historic Plover Passenger Ferry

23. Linking Blaine Harbor and Semiahmoo
Gangway at Semiahmoo funded by a portion
of the CMT Enhancement Grant – connecting Blaine & Semiahmoo

24. The Missing Link
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. .
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25. Challenges for Completing the Necklace
Narrow roads & bridges for bike lanes

26. Roads Close to Shoreline

27. Plover Ferry Service Limited Seasonally

28. Protecting Existing Trails
Angled parking eliminated 3 blocks of bike lane

29. A short story on
successful trail projects

31. Drayton Cove Trail
(Northwest Necklace)

35. Semiahmoo Spit Trails
(Northwest Necklace)

46. Peace Portal Community Trail
(Northwest Necklace)

52. Montfort Neighborhood
Trail Improvements

57. Blaine Trails
The Northwest Necklace