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Bellingham Greenways Advisory Committee

BEL-GRN-2025-04-03 April 03, 2025 Committee Meeting City of Bellingham 5 min
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The Bellingham Greenways Advisory Committee convened for its April 3, 2025 meeting to review the annual Greenways program report, receive updates on the Parks Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan goals, and hear a comprehensive presentation on the Samish Neighborhood Association's greenways vision. The meeting demonstrated the breadth of Bellingham's parks and recreation system, with the Greenways levy generating $9.3 million in its first year and funding major acquisitions including 127 new acres of parkland. Lane from the Parks Department presented a detailed annual report showing how the new Greenways Levy 5 allocated funds across four categories: acquisition (35%), development (20%), maintenance (25%), and climate resiliency (15%). The committee learned that four significant properties were acquired in 2024, including the strategic Newland purchase at Telegraph Road for $1.4 million and the former DNR parcels in Dewey Valley totaling nearly 120 acres. These acquisitions advance critical trail connections, particularly between the Barkley Iron Gate and King Mountain neighborhoods. The committee received draft goals for the PROS Plan update, which will go before the Planning Commission at month's end. Seven revised goals emphasize equity, design for wellness and sense of place, preservation and climate resiliency, recreational opportunities, trail connections, system resiliency, and partnerships. Public comment highlighted the volunteer stewardship program's impressive work, with volunteers completing the equivalent of several full-time staff positions annually through work parties that planted over 2,600 trees and plants across multiple sites. Dina presented the Samish Neighborhood Association's comprehensive vision for a continuous greenway corridor from Lake Padden to Whatcom Creek, complete with 23 detailed maps documenting existing trails and proposed improvements. The presentation emphasized the critical need for wayfinding signage and formalized trail a

- **Motion to Approve March Meeting Minutes:** Passed 5-0 (one member abstained due to absence) - **Motion to Pursue Due Diligence on Property #1:** Passed 6-0 (specific property not disclosed in public session) - **Gree…

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**Greenways Levy 5 Implementation:** The committee reviewed the first year of the new levy, which generated $9.3 million and combined with $12.4 million carryover from Levy 4. Staff demonstrated how spending aligned with recommended allocations: acquisition received 35% plus flex funds due to opportunistic purchases, development maintained significant reserves for upcoming construction projects, and the new climate resiliency category funded transportation trails and energy efficiency projects. Committee members questioned whether all climate resiliency projects met the levy language requiring "methods supported by peer reviewed research," particularly the mechanical HVAC upgrade at Bloedel Donovan. **PROS Plan Goals Revision:** Peter presented seven consolidated goals that incorporated previous committee recommendations. Key discussion centered on the equity goal's language about "celebrating diversity" versus more proactive approaches to cultivating inclusion and belonging. Committee members suggested strengthening language around cultural programming and ensuring minority recreation…
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**Parks Department Staff (Lane, Peter):** Emphasized successful alignment between committee recommendations and actual spending, particularly for climate resiliency projects. Defended project categorizations while acknowledging some items like HVAC upgrades might seem tangential to greenways mission. Supported increased signage and wayfinding based on public input. **Committee Members:** Generally supportive of spending allocations but requested more detailed explanations of large reserve balances and stronger language around equity and inclusion. Members appreciated seeing their subcommittee recommendations reflected in both spending …
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**Brian Armstrong, on volunteer program impact:** "Just earlier this month we were able to do hot 2,600 plants and trees. Connolly Creek on a miserable, rainy day." **Brian Armstrong, on program visibility:** "It kind of surprised me at the last meeting, when we were going over the survey and talking about how people aren't unlike. Don't the the people that wanted volunteering? It registered very low on the survey, which really surprised me." **Committee member, on climate resiliency projec…
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- **May 5, 2025:** Greenways Annual Report presentation to City Council - **End of April 2025:** PROS Plan goals presented to Planning Commission for public review - **April 26, 2025:** Official grand opening of the pier at 3:00 PM with Councilmember Williams performing music - **April 8, 2025:** Trail cleanup event with Whatcom …

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The committee formally approved pursuing due diligence on a new property acquisition, advancing Bellingham's open space protection goals. The Greenways program successfully transitioned to its new levy structure, demonstrating effective allocation of $9.3 million in first-year revenue across four spending categories. Staff incorporated all committee subcommittee recommendations into actual spending decisions and PROS plan goals, validating the advisory process. The recent acquisition of 66 acres connecting north and South Samish Crest open space provides legal public access from Governor Road, eli…
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# Greenways Advisory Committee Charts Path Forward on Trails and Transparency ## Meeting Overview The Bellingham Greenways Advisory Committee convened on a bright April afternoon, drawing members indoors from the sunshine to tackle a packed agenda focused on the future of the city's park and trail system. The meeting showcased both the substantial progress made during the first year of the new Greenways Levy and the ambitious vision ahead, from completing major property acquisitions to refining strategic goals for the next two decades. The session highlighted the committee's evolving role as both steward of public funds and advocate for equitable access to green spaces. With over $9 million in new levy revenue flowing in during 2024 and a comprehensive annual report heading to City Council, the committee demonstrated how citizen oversight translates into tangible community benefits. ## Greenways Levy Annual Report: A Year of Significant Achievement Lane presented the committee's draft annual report for 2024, marking the first full year of the new $93 million Greenways Levy. The numbers tell a story of both opportunity and strategic investment across the city's expanding park system. "So in 2024 for the calendar year, the first year of this new levy, you'll see our total tax revenue. Just about 9 under 9.3 million," Lane explained, walking through how the funds were allocated according to the levy's spending guidelines: 35% for acquisition, 25% for development, 20% for maintenance, 15% for the new climate resiliency category, and 10% flexible funding between categories. The year's most significant achievements came through property acquisition. Four major properties totaling 127 new acres joined Bellingham's park system, including the long-awaited Newland Purchase at Telegraph Road. "This one took almost 2 years to close," Lane noted of the $1.6 million acquisition that will provide crucial trail connectivity between the Barkley Iron Gate and King Mountain neighborhoods. "It's allowing us to break through this area that has 0 rights of way." The committee also celebrated the acquisition of nearly 120 acres of former Department of Natural Resources land in what's sometimes called the Dewey Valley. This purchase continues the protected corridor from Sunset Pond Park through contiguous open space, creating an unbroken chain of preserved land along critical creek systems. Two generous donations rounded out the acquisition year: an undeveloped re…
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## Meeting Overview The Bellingham Greenways Advisory Committee met on April 3, 2025, to review the annual Greenways program report, discuss Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) plan updates, and receive a comprehensive presentation on the Samish Neighborhood Association's Greenways vision. The meeting covered spending from the first year of the new Greenways 5 levy and outlined goals for future park development. ## Key Terms and Concepts **Greenways 5 Levy:** The current 10-year property tax levy that funds Bellingham's parks and open space system, with spending allocations of 35% for acquisition, 20% for development, 25% for maintenance, 15% for climate resiliency, and 10% flexible funding. **Park Impact Fees:** Fees paid by new residential development to fund new park amenities and expansion, collected by neighborhood and typically spent within the area where collected. **Level of Service:** A planning standard requiring all residents to live within a half-mile safe route (about a 10-minute walk) of a developed park or trail. **Climate Resiliency:** A new spending category in Greenways 5 focused on projects that encourage transportation mode shift, enhance climate adaptation, and improve environmental sustainability. **Stewardship Program:** City program that coordinates volunteer work parties, park ambassadors, and community garden operations, covering about 15 acres of restoration work annually. **Due Diligence:** The process of investigating a property before potential acquisition, including environmental assessments, surveys, and feasibility studies. **PROS Plan:** Parks, Recreation, and Open Space comprehensive planning document that guides park development for 20 years, updated every 6 years. **Samish Crest Greenway:** A neighborhood vision for connecting 200 acres of forested habitat from Lake Padden to Whatcom Creek through trail networks and open space preservation. ## Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Lane (Room Monitor) | Parks Department Staff / Meeting Facilitator | | Daniel Prost | Bellingham Mount Baker Trail Project Lead | | Jim Mark | King Mountain Neighborhood Trails Committee | | Brian Armstrong | Park Steward at Thistle Creek Park | | Peter | Parks Department Staff | | Skip | Greenways Advisory Committee Member | | Neil | Greenways Advisory Committee Member | | Dina | Greenways Advisory Committee Member | | David | Greenways Advisory Committee Member / Trails Subcommittee Chair | | Deanna | Gre…
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Parks & Recreation Land Use & Planning Government Operations LEVY 4 LEVY 5 Bellingham Mount Baker Trail Greenways Advisory Committee Parks Recreation Department Samish Neighborhood Association Vomos Community Whatcom Zen Brian Armstrong Daniel Prost David Dina Jim Mark Lane Peter Climate Resiliency Spending Community Gardens Equity Inclusion Greenways Annual Report Greenways Levy Park Impact Fees Property Acquisition Pros Plan Goals Regional Trail Mapping Samish Crest Greenway Trail Development Volunteer Stewardship Program Wayfinding Signage Wildlife Corridors