History  & News of our organization.

 2010 Update: 

We are scheduled to start construction on August 2, 2010. We are grateful to everyone who is making this a reality. We have added on our Donate page, a link for those that would like to be a part of the permanent labyrinth, by donating $50 and having a customized paver placed in  the perimeter of the permanent  Labyrinth. 

2009  news

PROJECT LABYRINTH RECEIVES LARGE GRANT FROM

THE MARY REDMAN FOUNDATION

Project Labyrinth, has received a $25,000 grant from The Mary Redman Foundation. The grant will be awarded over a three-year period.

Half of The Mary Redman Foundation grant—$12,500—will be a matching grant, which will require new donations from community members and organizations.

Samantha DeSoer, said, “We are deeply grateful to Mary Redman for her generous support of this community project. We are confident that our friends and neighbors will help us to match this wonderful grant, so we can construct Bellingham’s first outdoor, public labyrinth for all to walk.”

After meeting with the Bellingham City Council, Project Labyrinth has all necessary approvals and has the full backing of South, Edgemoor, Happy Valley, and Fairhaven neighborhood associations, Bellingham Parks and Recreation, Bellingham's Arts Commission, and now unanimous support from the Bellingham City Council.

With these approvals and community support, we have a clear and strong mandate to create a permanent labyrinth and now we need your help to raise the funds for site preparation and construction.

There are a variety of ways that you can support Project Labyrinth: including  t-shirts, buttons, etched glass tiles, and engraved pavers that will be installed on the perimeter of the labyrinth. Plus, raffle tickets to win a free labyrinth installation in your own backyard!!! To donate, please click here or on the "Donate" link above. All contributions are tax deductible. Thank you for your support!

Temporary Labyrinths: In order to assess and encourage public interest, Project Labyrinth creates temporary labyrinths open to the public. We set up outdoor labyrinths to celebrate the changing of seasons: Summer Solstice and Fall/Spring Equinox. Hundreds of people come to walk the labyrinths and connect with themselves as with one another. Our board has much experience with labyrinths--several of our board members have facilitated labyrinths throughout the Bellingham community for many years. The number of participants continually increases, and we've received overwhelming feedback that a permanent public labyrinth is needed and much desired. Click here for photos of our past temporary labyrinths. Thank you to all that contributed to the success of our 3rd Annual Summer Solstice Celebration. This labyrinth continues to be supported by the community and Project Labyrinth appreciates the interest in an outdoor, permanent labyrinth in Fairhaven Park.

Project Labyrinth Objective: To create, through community support, an outdoor walking labyrinth in Bellingham, open to the public, located in a Bellingham city park.
Please Join Us!  We invite anyone interested in labyrinths to join us.  We need help with fundraising, organizational development, web development, etc.  Inquire about our monthly meetings either by clicking on the Contact link at the top of the page or directly emailing us at projectlabyrinth@gmail.com

Definition:  A labyrinth is a pattern consisting of a circuitous path, usually within a circle, winding around and leading to the center and back out again.  Labyrinths are used for walking meditation and as a path of prayer, and are found in many secular and religious traditions around the world.  Thousands of labyrinths have been constructed in schools, hospitals, parks, churches, retreat centers, and private residences across the United States during the labyrinth revival of the past decade.  Walking a labyrinth is appropriate for people of all ages and abilities and beliefs.

Bellingham Parks and Recreation:  Project Labyrinth has received approval from the board of Parks and Recreation for the installation of a permanent outdoor labyrinth in Fairhaven Park.  We will be working very closely with Marvin Harris, Parks Operation Manager, to finalize the design and building materials.
  
W.P.R.F.:  The non-profit Whatcom Park & Recreation foundation. It was established in 1989 by a small group of people dedicated to upholding the value of parks, trails and recreational opportunity in Whatcom County. They have allowed Project Labyrinth  to be under their non profit status, your donations are tax deductible for those who donate  to the construction of the labyrinth. Remember to make checks payable to W.P.R.F and in the reference line please note Project Labyrinth.              http://www.wprfoundation.org

Contact:  Kathy Harris, projectlabyrinth@gmail.com      (360) 410-9228