Waterfront Access: The New Non-Motorized Boat Launch at Zuanich Point Park

Location of the future boat launch

In the heart of Bellingham’s bustling waterfront, a new project is quietly transforming access to the water—one that reflects our community’s values of recreation, sustainability, and inclusion. The Bellingham Sailing Foundation and the Sunrise Rotary Club in partnership with the Bellingham Yacht Club, Whatcom Sailing, the Port of Bellingham and the City of Bellingham, are leading the charge to build a dedicated non-motorized boat launch at Zuanich Point Park.

This initiative is more than just a ramp—it’s a commitment to access. For decades, Zuanich has served as a launch point for small craft like kayaks, paddleboards, dinghies, and youth sailing boats. However, with the rise in motorized traffic and changes to the waterfront over time, safe and equitable access for non-motorized users has diminished. That’s about to change.

The proposed launch is a wide, gently sloped ramp designed specifically for hand-carried watercraft. Located near the current youth facilities, the new ramp will restore safe, year-round access for paddlers, rowers, and sailors alike. Importantly, the design prioritizes safety and environmental sustainability. It avoids the need for large trailers, minimizes shoreline impact, and fits seamlessly into the working waterfront environment that defines Squalicum Harbor.

From a community perspective, the ramp will serve multiple user groups. Youth sailing programs, including those run by the Whatcom Sailing Foundation and the Bellingham Yacht Club, will benefit directly. These programs depend on consistent, safe water access to continue providing low-cost instruction and water safety education to hundreds of local kids each year. Similarly, the ramp will offer an inclusive launch point for people with limited mobility, making it easier to carry out boats without having to navigate steep rocks or active marina traffic.

For the public at large, the ramp offers an alternative to crowded motorized launch sites or distant freshwater lakes. Whether you’re a weekend paddleboarder, a dinghy racer, Ski to Sea participant or just a family looking for a quiet way to explore Bellingham Bay, the Zuanich ramp will make it easier—and safer—to get on the water.

The project is already gathering support. Permits have been approved, grant applications are underway, and a fundraising effort is in motion to cover costs. The Sunrise Rotary Club has committed both advocacy and financial resources, and the project has been met with strong interest from the Port and other community stakeholders.

We believe this ramp will be a lasting gift to our city—a place where everyone, regardless of age or background, can launch into the beautiful waters of Bellingham Bay. We invite you to support this effort, share the news, and help us bring this vision to life.

Together, we can return Zuanich Point to what it’s meant to be: a true community launch point for all.