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Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

BEL-PRB-2024-12-11 December 11, 2024 Parks & Recreation Committee City of Bellingham
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The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board convened for its final meeting of 2024, focusing on major planning initiatives that will shape Bellingham's parks system for the next two decades. The most significant development was the announcement that the Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) plan update will be integrated with the comprehensive plan update, requiring completion by February 2026. This integration represents a major shift from previous practice and will require substantial resources and consultant support. The board received updates on the Storybrook Park public art installation, approved new dog leash management protocols at Bloedel Donovan Park to protect stormwater infrastructure, and reviewed public engagement results for the Civic Athletic Complex redevelopment. The meeting also addressed ongoing facilities management issues, including lease agreements for the Sportsplex and Chuckanut Center, and various park improvement projects. Board elections confirmed Brian continuing as chair and Steve as vice chair for 2025. Outgoing member Maggie Kriger announced this would be her final meeting, prompting discussion about recruitment for her replacement during the critical PROS plan update period.

**Dog Leash Area Modification at Bloedel Donovan Park (Approved Unanimously):** Board approved seasonal closure of the lakefront turf area from October 1 through May 31st to protect stormwater filtration systems. Dogs will be redirected to beach areas and the field area during winter months. Staff recommendation was to protect critical infrastructure that had been damaged by excessive dog activity combined with wet weather conditions. **Officer Elections for 2025 (Approved Unani…

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**PROS Plan Integration with Comprehensive Plan:** The most substantial policy discussion centered on the decision to integrate the Parks, Recreation and Open Space plan update with the comprehensive plan process. This represents a significant departure from past practice, where the PROS plan was a standalone chapter. The new approach will create a streamlined goals and policies section within the comprehensive plan, with a separate functional plan serving as an appendix. This integration accelerates the PROS plan timeline, requiring goals and policies to be ready for Planning Commission review by April-May 2025. Staff emphasized this approach will make the plan more accessible to the public and better integrated with other city planning efforts. The board will serve as the primary advisory body throughout this process, with monthly meetings anticipated during peak development phases. **Ci…
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**Public Commenters:** - **Buddy Chapman (Plastic Create organization):** Proposed partnership with the city to upscale plastic recycling into park benches. Seeking workspace and funding to expand from current 50-pound plastic benches to larger-scale production. Board recommended connecting with Whatcom Community Foundation for startup funding. - **Dan Snap (Whatcom Environmental Council):** Announced formation of new environmental advocacy group by retirees that will monitor public meetings through the comprehensive plan process. Emphasized state requirements for urban forestry and other environmental …
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**Nicole Oliver, on PROS plan integration:** "This is a unique opportunity. We're excited, like Peter mentioned. And you all hopefully will be excited once we get going on it. It happens only once every six years." **Peter Gill, on plan scope:** "So direction for the next 20 years on how parks will develop not only like physical parks, like outside, but also park facilities, indoor facilities, recreation programs, trails, everything we do, maintenance and operations as well." **Nicole Oliver…
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**January 2025:** Board member recruitment process begins to replace Maggie Kriger. Six applicants currently under consideration. **February 2025:** Potential Chuckanut Center lease renewal comes to board after three-month extension. **April 2025:** Parks chapter of comprehensive plan comes to board for recommendation before Planning Commission review. **May 2025:** Planning Commission hearings on parks goals and policies for comprehensive …

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**PROS Plan Approach:** The Parks, Recreation and Open Space plan will now be integrated with the comprehensive plan rather than existing as a standalone document. This creates a more streamlined approach but compresses the timeline significantly. **Board Leadership:** Steve elected as vice chair, joining Brian who continues as chair for 2025. **Bloedel Donovan Park Usage:** Winter dog leash area now restricted to beach areas and field, with lakefront turf closed October 1 through May 31 to protect stormwater infras…
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# Parks Board Champions PROS Plan Update and Addresses Seasonal Dog Park Changes The December 11, 2024 Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting buzzed with excitement about launching the city's Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Plan update—a once-every-six-years comprehensive planning effort that will guide the next two decades of park development. The board also approved seasonal restrictions at Bloedel Donovan Park's dog off-leash area and received updates on the Civic Athletic Complex planning process. ## Meeting Overview Seven board members gathered at 7:30 AM for their monthly meeting, with Chair Brian and Vice Chair Steve leading discussions on significant policy and planning initiatives. The meeting featured presentations from city planning staff, public comment from community advocates, and substantial discussion about the intersection of parks planning with Bellingham's urgent housing needs. The session ran efficiently through a packed agenda covering art installations, governance changes, and major planning updates. ## PROS Plan Launch: A Six-Year Planning Milestone Parks Planning Manager Peter Gill unveiled the ambitious timeline for updating Bellingham's Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan—the foundational document that determines how the city's park system will evolve through 2045. This comprehensive plan serves multiple critical functions: satisfying state Growth Management Act requirements, establishing the legal framework for collecting park impact fees, qualifying the city for state recreation funding, and providing the public's primary opportunity to shape the future of Bellingham's parks. "This happens only once every six years," Gill explained to the board. "So this is direction for the next 20 years on how parks will develop—not only physical parks outside, but also park facilities, indoor facilities, recreation programs, trails, everything we do, maintenance and operations as well." The update represents a significant shift in approach. Unlike previous versions where the PROS Plan existed as a chapter within the city's comprehensive plan, the new version will be split into two integr…
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### Meeting Overview The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on December 11, 2024, at 7:30 AM to discuss several key initiatives including the 2025 parks open space plan update, Storybrook Park art installation progress, seasonal dog leash area modifications, and civic athletic complex public engagement results. ### Key Terms and Concepts **PROS Plan:** Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan - a six-year comprehensive planning document that guides park system development and is required for state funding and park impact fees. **Percent for Arts:** City requirement that dedicates a percentage of certain public construction project budgets to public art installations. **Park Impact Fees:** Fees assessed on new development to help fund parks and recreation facilities needed to serve new residents. **Conservation Easement:** Legal agreement that restricts future development on specified land areas to protect environmental or recreational values permanently. **Stormwater Filtration Facility:** Green infrastructure that uses grass and soil to naturally filter runoff before it enters water bodies. **Level of Service:** Planning measurement that evaluates how well parks and recreation facilities serve community needs based on population and geographic access. **Functional Plan:** A detailed implementation document that operates separately from but coordinates with the comprehensive plan. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Brian | Board Chair | | Steve | Vice Chair | | Maggie Kriger | Board Member (final term) | | Peter Gill | Parks Department Staff | | Nicole | Parks and Recreation Director | | Taylor Webb | Planning and Community Development Department | | Jed | Board Member (Arts Commission liaison) | | Buddy Chapman | Public Commenter (Plastic Recycling) | | Dan Snap | Former Board Member/Whatcom Environmental Council | | Austin Skipper | School District Representative | ### Background Context The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is undertaking significant planning efforts in 2025, most notably updating the comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan for the first time in six years. This update coincides with the city's comprehensive plan update, creating an opportunity to integrate parks planning with broa…
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Parks & Recreation Land Use & Planning Transportation & Infrastructure Government Operations Army Corps Bellingham School District Chuckanut Center Parks Recreation Advisory Board Planning Commission Plastic Create Whatcom Community Foundation Whatcom Environmental Council Austin Skipper Brian Buddy Chapman Dan Snap Jen Maggie Kriger Nicole Oliver Peter Gill Steve Taylor Webb Bloedel Donovan Park Civic Athletic Complex Comprehensive Plan Dog Parks Housing Policy Infrastructure Investment Parking Policy Parks Recreation Planning Commission Pros Plan Public Art Sportsplex Stormwater Management Storybrook Park Wetlands