Location:  Old Highway 99 south of Lake Samish
Size:  84 acres
Public Access:  Yes
Easement granted:  July 1995
Easement type:  Conservation
Grantees:  Whatcom Land Trust

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    This property, with a long history of use, became a county park through the involvement of many local folks who wanted its natural beauty preserved.  The ten-acre lake is surrounded by second-growth forest, and the property is home to wood ducks, pileated woodpeckers, barred owls, beaver and other creatures.  There are two miles of trail winding around the lake and beaver pond, and along the southwest ridge.  Hiking, biking and horseback riding are permitted.

    The area is known to have been used by Native Americans for hunting and gathering.  In the 1890s, the Bloedel Donovan company logged and then sold the land to Victor Squires, a railroad worker.  Squires built a log home and an earthen dam, which created the lake.  In the 1920s, the dam burst, taking out the road below it.  Squires replaced the dam with a concrete one that is still present today.  Later, Ralph Squires stocked the lake with fish and muskrat, and sportsmen paid to fish and trap.  In the 1950s, Martin Squires ran a fish hatchery below the lake. 

    Through the efforts of Whatcom Land Trust and several local donors, money was raised to purchase the land.  One generous – and anonymous – donor gave $300,000 toward the purchase.  MKB Construction donated services to improve the dam, and others also gave pledges and in-kind donations.  In a letter to the Land Trust, sellers Martin and Margaret Squires said, “We are extremely happy to see this come about.  And I’m sure that my mother and father, Leta and Ralph Squires, would also be pleased to see that what was once our property is now and will forever be a park that everyone can enjoy.”