About Cordata

Cordata is the largest, fastest growing and most diverse neighborhood in Bellingham. We have learned that the name comes from a word that means “a small flower that grows well in the rain.”

The Cordata Neighborhood is situated in the northern area of the City and is bordered by Meridian Street to the east, West Bakerview Road to the south, and extends to the City limits to the north, west and southwest.

The Cordata Neighborhood was formed in 2010 when the boundaries of the Meridian and Guide Meridian/Cordata Neighborhoods were redrawn to acknowledge the area’s changing character, environment and demographics. Such factors leading to these changes included the increase in residential development and population, presence of Whatcom Community College, the concentration of professional commercial, institutional and industrial uses along Cordata Parkway, and the area’s close proximity to one of Bellingham’s regional commercial areas within the adjacent Meridian Neighborhood.

The Cordata Neighborhood contains a variety of land use zoning designations consisting of Public and Planned: Residential, Commercial, Industrial and Institutional. Development within these designations is regulated under the Cordata Business Park Planned Unit Development (PUD) and the City’s Land Use Development Code, which identifies the development and design standards needed to preserve and protect the character and qualities of the neighborhood area.

Parks

We are so proud of our two new parks in Cordata. Julianna Park is a park/trail that provides a lovely experience to walk a quiet tree-lined trail that starts on June Road and winds its way to Meadowbrook. 

Cordata Park is our new Community Park located off Cordata Parkway south of the Horton roundabout. This 25-acre park includes something for everyone. We have a full array of playground equipment including a parkour course, water splash area, musical tools, and a bike pump course. For a quieter experience, you can walk, run, or bike across a mile of meadows and bridges adorned with more than 14,000 trees, shrubs, and ground cover.

Whatcom Community College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a regionally and nationally accredited college with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve nearly 11,000 students annually. On its 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Wash., and through online courses, Whatcom offers transfer degrees, professional-technical training programs, as well as basic education, job skills, and Community & Continuing Education classes. According to the Aspen Institute (2016), WCC is rated among the top nine community and technical colleges in the state and recognized as one of the leading community colleges in the nation. Established in 1967, Whatcom has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1976.

Churches

Cordata Presbyterian Church
400 Meadowbrook Court

Christ the King Church
4173 Guide Meridian

Bellingham Bible Church
4160 Northwest Drive

Iglesia de Restauracion para las Naciones
4767 Guide Meridian
(No website–360-383-7214)

Medical Facilities

Cordata has become a beacon for medical facilities. This is a partial list of the services to see to all our needs:

Peace Health Medical Group

SeaMar Bellingham Medical Clinic

Infusion Solutions

North Cascades Health & Rehabilitation Center

Quest Diagnostics

Silverado Bellingham Memory Care

Trails

The City of Bellingham, in particular the Cordata community, is committed to adding to our current map of trails and trail connections. We hope to complete a system of trails that connect the Cordata parks, Whatcom Community College, the Bear Creek Open Space, and the Queen and King Mountain communities. We are excited to see our community expand the full range of safe and enjoyable trails for hikers, walker, and bikers of all ages.

Public Schools

Cordata Neighborhood is extremely unique. Our boundary includes three different school districts: Bellingham School District, Meridian School District, and a small portion of Ferndale School District (although Cordata Elementary School is the only public school physically located in Cordata Neighborhood).

Bellingham Attendance Areas
Meridian Attendance Areas
Ferndale Attendance Areas

Our Elementary Schools include: 
Cordata Elementary School located at 4420 Aldrich Road, Bellingham, WA 98226.
Irene Reither Elementary School located at 954 East Hemmi Road, Everson, WA 98247
Central Elementary School located at 5610 2nd Ave, Ferndale, WA 98248


Our Middle Schools include: 
Shuksan Middle School located at 2717 Alderwood Avenue, Bellingham WA 98225
Meridian Middle School located at 861 Ten Mile Road, Lynden, WA 98264
Vista Middle School located at 6051 Vista Dr, Ferndale, WA 98248


Our High Schools include:
Squalicum High School located at 3773 E McLeod Rd Bellingham, WA 98226
Meridian High School located at 194 W Laurel Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226
Ferndale High School is located at 5830 Golden Eagle Drive Ferndale WA 98248

As our area grows, school attendance areas may shift. Check with the school or district to confirm the school serving a specific area of Cordata.

Cordata Gallery

If you would like to add your photos to the gallery please email them to us, we would love to feature you!

Neighborhood Signs
Mt. Baker View from Cordata
Cordata Park – Phase 1
Julie Royal Guy
Cordata Park — Phase 2
Neighborhood Sign on Cordata Parrkway
Cordata Park — Phase 1
Julianna Park Trail
Caitac Leadership 3/12/24 Meeting
Geese In Cordata
Cordata Bus Station
Cordata Park — Phase 1
Neighborhood Signs
Mt. Baker View from Cordata
Cordata Park – Phase 1
Julie Royal Guy
Cordata Park — Phase 2
Neighborhood Sign on Cordata Parrkway
Cordata Park — Phase 1
Julianna Park Trail
Caitac Leadership 3/12/24 Meeting
Geese In Cordata
Cordata Bus Station
Cordata Park — Phase 1
Cordata Park Events
Summer 20924
Cordata Park Events
Summer 20924
Cordata Park Events
Summer 20924
Cordata Park Events
Summer 20924

A Beacon of Community Development: The Cordata Neighborhood Association

This collaborative effort chronicles the catalyst, birth, growth, and Development of the Cordata Neighborhood Association. The book narrates the changes brought to the Cordata Neighborhood and memorializes the efforts of the association’s visionary founders as they advocated for that neighborhood.

Read More
A Beacon of Community Development: Cordata Neighborhood Association
Authored by Ralph L. Myers & Julianna Royal Guy

By the time you finish reading this book you will understand and appreciate how one neighborhood became a Beacon of Community Development. The book will allow the reader to witness and experience the steps and formation of the Cordata Neighborhood Association, and how a small group of concerned and dedicated men and women over-came many obstacles, organized and developed it into one of the most influential and active neighborhood associations in Bellingham. What started in 2005 was a simple question and observation: where are the parks and trails? The lack of these amenities became painfully clear as hundreds of condos, apartments and single family homes sprang up in the north end of Bellingham in what was to become the Cordata neighborhood. As the area grew, Whatcom Community College was built adding value and aesthetic beauty. Still no plans for parks and trails for the growing populous. This book narrates the change brought to the Cordata neighborhood, and author Ralph Myers with the invaluable help of Co-Founder Julianna Royal Guy memorializes the efforts of these dedicated and visionary founders of the CAN. So, sit back and prepare to go on this journey with those early visionaries.
Purchase from Village Books