Around the Point

Despite struggles to get seasonal staff on board, Whatcom County Parks and Recreation director Michael McFarlane feels optimistic camping will be open on the Point for the Fourth of July.

“We have a couple of candidates in the hopper we hope to get on board soon,” McFalrane said. “We’re looking to get the campground open.”

Seasonal staff help ranger Meghan Kelley with maintenance of trails and facilities at Monument Park, Lily Point Marine Park, Maple Beach and Lighthouse Marine Park.

Reopening Lighthouse Marine Park for camping requires that the two seasonal positions on the Point are filled.“If everything falls into place we hope to be open the July 4 weekend,” McFarlane said.

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Local resident and veteran event planner Sheena Durflinger is busy fundraising for two fun-filled days in August.

Durflinger already has support from business owners on the Point and is looking for some county funding via the Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee who she addressed at their June 24 meeting.

“After planning a successful Halloween event and seeing firsthand the spark Point Roberts has for community, I thought that more events would be beneficial during a time where social isolation has become the norm,” Durflinger has emphasized in her outreach efforts.

The plan is for two days of interwoven events at Baker Field on August 14 and 21, which will include a space for local crafters and artisans to sell their wares, space for non-profits to raise awareness, activities for kids and adults from games to gardening demos.

The events will give community members a chance to “get to know each other, play, laugh, have fun and most importantly, have something to look forward to.”

Event sponsors will gain exposure through event marketing materials and social media. To help sponsor the event contact Durflinger at 604/378-1984.

Following last year’s hiatus, Kids Camp is ready to roll for 2021.The Point Roberts park and recreation district’s popular summer decamp for kids 6-12 is will run five days a week from July 19 to August 6, with morning (9 a.m. to noon) and afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) open to all ages.

“We want to give the kids a chance to see each other again and have a fun summer,” said district commissioner and program organizer Dan Schroeder.

The hub of the program will be the Gulf Road Community Center, Schroeder said. “We’re going to try and have one organized activity in the morning and one in the afternoon, with the rest free play time.”

Some days of the week the program’s six counselors will meet with program participants at one of the Point’s many parks and beaches. “There will be days when we can’t use the community center and there will be plenty of advance notice for parents where to drop their kids off on those days.”

Registration information will be available on the district’s website at prparkandrec.org. Parents are encouraged to print out registration forms and bring them to the first day of camp.