One of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, Columbia is a wonderful place to call home for nearly 4,000 Bellingham residents. The overwhelming majority of the approximately 1,600 residential structures (5% of total city housing) within this neighborhood are single family. The housing is attractive and well maintained, with narrow tree-lined streets and mature landscaping. The southernmost portion of the neighborhood, identified as the Eldridge Historical District, contains many large, historically significant homes.
Columbia Neighborhood residents enjoy the use of Elizabeth Park, which is viewed as a valued community asset. Other parks within the neighborhood include Carl Lobe and Lorraine Ellis Parks with facilities for younger children and families. Squalicum Creek Greenway forms the northwestern border of the neighborhood and there is easy access to Squalicum Creek Park, in the adjacent Birchwood Neighborhood.
The Birchwood neighborhood is home to nearly 5,000 residents according to the 2000 census (7.3% of the total city population). The neighborhood is characterized by older, well-kept homes built on large lots (20,000 square feet or greater). The large lots, mature landscaping, and narrow streets lend a rural atmosphere to the neighborhood. Apartment complexes have been constructed in the multifamily zoned areas primarily along Northwest Avenue and W. Maplewood. In addition, there is a commercial area located near the intersection of Northwest, W. Maplewood and Birchwood Avenue that provides services to the Birchwood, Cornwall Park and Columbia neighborhoods.
Source: City of Bellingham Website in the Neighborhood Profiles pages located at, www.cob.org
http://www.cob.org/services/planning/neighborhoods/Pages/profiles-map.aspx