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Hovander Park

(4 stars from 1 rating)
Hovander Park 0:4

Address

5299 Neilsen Rd.
Ferndale , WA 98248
384-3444

Hours

Every day 8:00 AM - Dusk

Review

Photo Credit: Wayne Berry
When you visit Hovander Homestead Park, be prepared to spend a few hours. Such a vivid time travel experience will surely take up a Saturday afternoon. To be properly prepared, wear comfortable walking shoes and consider packing a picnic lunch and toting along the camcorder or Polaroid. There is a lot of ground to cover at Hovander, and much to see.

The park is extensive and well cared for. Home to horses, chickens, rabbits, pigs, goats and many more, Hovander is a veritable Old MacDonald's Farm. The animals are accessible, easy to view and, where appropriate, okay to feed. Beyond being almost a zoo, Hovander park was once the homestead of a Swedish family which immigrated to the United States. The house bears the markings of Swedish architecture, beautiful and quaint. Surrounded by lush gardens, prepared and maintained by master gardeners, the house seems to sit in a frame of purples, reds and azure. Inside, the Hovander home is rich with antiques and wordless history. Truly, the house is an educational, if not spiritual, experience.

Lawns surround the house and, next to it, a huge red barn. They are peppered with many picnic tables and grills. Absolutely perfect for a family reunion or Sunday afternoon lunch, there is even a small play area for children featuring a swing set, slide and a big red tractor. Just behind the playground is a wooden lookout tower. Climb to the top and you will get a spectacular view of the Hovander homestead, from the horse field to the barn to the house and down to the grove of trees that serves as a buffer between the park and the Nooksack river. It is clear from there, at the top of the tower, that Hovander park is a gift. A spread of green carpet, home to flowers and plants and animals of all sizes, the living representative of the Hovander family.
Written By: Holly Gray
On: 3/14/1999

Directions

From Main St. in Ferndale, turn south onto Hovander Rd. Take a right at Neilsen Rd. and the park's entrance will be on your right.

Features

Kid Friendly | Horseshoe Pits | Bathrooms | Picnic Area | Picnic Tables

Map

User Reviews

Teresa Kiel
55rating
(2)
(0)
10/10/2008
I have now been to Hovander with my family,which we have lived half of our lives in ferndale as my grandparents had a farm right on the hwy before you take the exit to enter into ferndale. Their farm is located where they now have built storage units and how sad that is to see for our family. Hovander is so beautiful, the garden's, the house itself is amazeing,there is so much beauty,and the animals to are great for the children and adults! Thankyou for letting all of us enjoy this incredible farm and ihope it will continue for years to come! Thankyou to all who help take care of this amazeing place and a piece of history..
(1)
(0)
Ashley
40rating
(1)
(1)
8/14/2006
First To Review
Hovander and the surrounding area is definately the best parkland in Whatcom County. It's often quiet, allowing picnicers and walkers plenty of space, and filled with things to do and see. The animals are fun, the flowers are gorgeous, and it's a great place to take a curious puppy for exploring. Nearby Tennant Lake and the Fragrance Garden are also treats.
(1)
(0)
Lacey
Lacey 
30rating
(1)
(0)
2/18/2008
My husband and his family have had many family picnics here. It is a very nice family oriented park. It is wonderful in the summer time to walk down the trails, and to see the wildlife they have there at the barn. Thank you so much for keeping your park family friendly.

Atwood.
(1)
(0)
Teresa Kiel
55rating
(2)
(0)
10/10/2008
I know I have already comment below but there is another comment i would like to make. When my nephew and I were in the kitchen of this amazeing house i saw a old phone book hanging from the wall, I asked the nice lady if i could look at it thinking of the age of it,she happily said yes, I found my grandparent's in this phone book from like 60 yrs ago! Earl and Molly Hitt..For me another wonderful piece of history...My daughter's have never been to hovander and i can't wait to take them!
(1)
(1)
Anonymous
5rating
(1)
(0)
11/15/2006
i lived in ferndale for 8 year's and i took my kid's there all the time and we had b-day's there.it is a grate family park when i go 2 see my kid's we go 2 the park 2 or 3 time's. i live in ephrata wa.now.i miss all the park's there.......
(0)
(1)
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