Meeting God Outdoors: Big Rock Garden Park
On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wonderous works, I will meditate. -- Psalm 145:5
Are you wanting to add a spiritual practice to your Advent Season? To find scared spaces to ground you during this time of waiting, hoping, and expecting that is the Advent Season?
Are you wishing to escape the COVID Blues, wander not too far from home, yet be able to stretch your legs, breathe fresh air, and practice social distancing?
We’ve called upon two long-time First Congregational Church members and outdoor enthusiasts, Herb and Marion Brown, to recommend places where our congregants might seek and find remarkable settings for experiencing God’s wonderous creations. We suggest that these places might be ones where you might stop, breathe deeply, then pause for a few intentional minutes of introspection, prayer, and/or meditation.
This week we invite you to visit: Big Rock Garden Park
Big Rock Garden Park is off the beaten path, but once you find it, you will discover a sense of quiet solitude that surrounds you within its 2.5 acres. It is a great place to get away from it all and meditate. It has many places to sit and an extensive sculpture garden.The beauty of the many trees, rhododendrons, azaleas and Japanese maples can be enjoyed any time of year, but you should be sure to return for the colorful flowers in the spring and beautiful leaves in the fall. Note that the paths are mostly compacted gravel and many are gently sloped, which might make them difficult for a person in a wheelchair to navigate.
Big Rock Garden was created and donated to the city by First Congregational Church members George and MaryAnn Drake. Near the entrance to the garden is a special sculpture of autumn leaves which recognizes significant contributors to the Bellingham Community. You will notice First Congregational Church was honored in 1999.
To get there, drive up Alabama Hill going toward Lake Whatcom and turn left on Sylvan Street near the top of the hill. After driving through a residential area (just before the road turns to the left) you will see a sign on the right for the Big Rock Garden. Turn right at that gate and take the fairly long, small road/driveway to the parking lot on the left. The gate to the garden is on the right. The address is 2900 Sylvan Street.
For more information:
https://www.whatcomtalk.com/2019/07/09/big-rock-garden-park-unifies-bellinghams-natural-and-artistic-beauty/
https://www.cob.org/services/recreation/parks-trails/Pages/big-rock.aspx
