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Ferndale,
Washington , a small town in Whatcom
County , radiates friendliness and charm, and has earned a
reputation as a fine place to raise a family. Situated in the
far northwestern corner of the state, Ferndale lies only six
miles north of the thriving deep-port city of Bellingham
and thirteen miles south of the Canadian
Border .
The 2000 Census registered Ferndale's population at just
under 9,000. Ferndale residents enjoy all the luxurious
natural beauty of Whatcom County, which stretches from Puget
Sound to the Cascade
National Forest. About fifty miles to the east of
Ferndale looms the awesome ice-volcano Mount
Baker, where Washington
State's finest ski resort awaits. Only minutes from the
water, Ferndale residents can go whale watching, sea kayaking,
or take tours to nearby Vancouver
and San
Juan Islands. The powerful Nooksack
River winds throughout the area, providing excellent
salmon and trout fishing, along with challenging river
rafting through stunning gorges. Many shimmering lakes and
waterfalls grace the region, and hiking and biking trails
abound.
The town of Ferndale itself contains thirteen city parks
. A very family-oriented community, many playing fields exist
for the children. The planned Tosco
Sports Complex , funded by local business grants and
donations, will be a huge area devoted to sports. Four
softball fields, soccer fields, and nature trails for jogging
are under construction.
The historic Pioneer
Park delights children and adults. Housed in eleven log
cabins dating more than one hundred years old, this park was
painstakingly erected by moving cabins found deteriorating in
the outlying wilderness, and reconstructing them in Ferndale.
Each cabin is a museum displaying different artifacts of
Whatcom County's rugged past, and exhibits the hardships that
the original settlers endured.
Agriculture remains an important industry in Ferndale, and
the area's many surrounding farms
provide residents with the freshest and finest produce
available. For a taste of yesterday, the Hovander
Homestead Park is a working historic farm untouched by
modern amenities. Along with agriculture, Ferndale
houses some of the county's largest employers, with two oil
refineries and the Alcoa
Intalco Aluminum Works.
Children are valued as Ferndale's finest
resource, and education for them is a top priority. Five
Ferndale schools
received National Awards of Excellence. The U.S. Dept. of
Education honored the town's Native American education program
giving them national recognition. Ferndale is one of only ten
school districts in Washington to be named as a Level l
partner with the Boeing
Company . Three outstanding universities and colleges
provide higher education for students in nearby Bellingham.
Ferndale, Washington, surrounded by natural beauty, remains
a small town with strong family values. The area's firm
economy and commitment to future growth make Ferndale a
fine spot to relocate a business or raise a family.
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