Western Washington University NeighborhoodFrom the beginning in 1893, Western Washington University has grown into a university of approximately 11,470 (10,200 Full Time) students according to 1997 enrollment figures. Western Washington University has a unique environmental and economic research program, an award-winning experimental vehicle design, and to be included with this is a highly regarded manufacturing, plastics, and electrical engineering technology programs. The citizens of Bellingham appreciate access to Western's facilities and open space, including the acclaimed outdoor sculpture as well as popular offerings in theater, music and sports.
The WWU Neighborhood has open space, that is easily accessible to students, staff and visitors. Formal open spaces owned and operated by WWU include the Old Main Quad, Red Square, the Fairhaven Courtyard, the Performing Arts Center Plaza, and the Haskell Plaza. The Natural open spaces include the Outback Wetland south of Fairhaven College, Sehome Hill Arboretum, the Bird Sanctuary knoll between Old Main and the Viking Union. Sehome Hill Arboretum provides additional areas for academic study, trails for recreation and commuting, with a major green/open space that serves the broader Western Washington University community. Recreational and educational open spaces include sports playfields, experimental gardens and environmental study areas. General open spaces include buffers with wooded hillsides located throughout campus that are valuable for their informal and natural qualities, their unique buffering characteristics, and as green view corridors.