Real Briefings
Parks and Recreation Committee
The Parks and Recreation Committee convened a brief 17-minute meeting to consider a single contract award for the long-awaited Storybrook Park development in the Birchwood neighborhood. The committee unanimously approved awarding the $1.98 million contract to Premium Services Inc. for the first phase of park construction, which has been in planning since the property was purchased in 2008-2010. The project combines park development with sidewalk improvements along West Maplewood Avenue to create safe pedestrian access to the new facility.
The committee voted 3-0 to award Contract #3B-2025 to Premium Services Inc. for $1,983,491.62, which was the lowest responsive bidder among four submissions. The engineer's estimate was $1,952,394, making…
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The primary discussion centered on balancing public access with security concerns at the new park. Council Member Cotton raised questions about monitoring and protecting the investment, noting encampments in the area on private property along Bakerview, Northwest, and West Maplewood. Staff responded that they deliberately omitted restroom facilities in…
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No public comment was provided during this committee meeting. Council Member Cotton advocated for community engagement updates to the Birchwood Neighborhood Association, as the last presentation was in January 2023. Landscape Architect Jonathan Schilk indicated willingness to present updates, noting h…
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**Jonathan Schilk, on the long development timeline:**
"The property was purchased over the course of two to three years in 2008 to 2010, and how much has happened since then? It has an existing trail running through it, and that is about it in a driveway and a gate."
**Council Member Cotton, on security concerns:**
"Just in thinking about this investment, if there is any position or plans from the city to monitor and sort of protect that asset and just wanting to make sure that we're address…
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Construction is expected to begin in April 2025 and continue through December 2025, with park opening anticipated in January 2026. The contract award will be reported at the evening City Council meeting for formal approval. Staf…
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After 15+ years of planning since property acquisition, Storybrook Park Phase 1 is moving to construction with a contractor selected and council approval. The Birchwood neighborhood will gain its first major recreational amenity beyond the existing trail, i…
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## Meeting Overview
On March 10, 2025, the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Committee convened at 1:40 PM for what would prove to be a brief but significant meeting about a long-awaited neighborhood park. Chair "Skip" Williams presided over the 16-minute session, joined by committee members Hannah Stone and Jace Cotton. The meeting centered on one pivotal agenda item: awarding a nearly $2 million construction contract for Storybrook Park Phase I and West Maplewood sidewalk improvements in the Birchwood neighborhood.
This was a moment fifteen years in the making. The three parcels that would become Storybrook Park were purchased between 2008 and 2010 for $481,000, and since then the property had sat largely undeveloped, save for an existing trail and basic access. Now, finally, the neighborhood would get its playground, trails, and the critical pedestrian infrastructure to safely reach it.
The meeting carried the quiet satisfaction of municipal officials watching a long-standing commitment finally come to fruition. As Chair Williams would note before casting the final vote, "This is an interesting year because a lot of these parks that were discussions when I started are now coming to reality."
## Storybrook Park: From Vision to Reality
The heart of the meeting was Jonathan Schilke's presentation of the contract award for Storybrook Park Phase I development. As the city's landscape architect, Schilke had shepherded this project through years of planning, community engagement, and design refinement. Parks Director Nicole Oliver introduced him warmly, noting that "Jonathan has been responsible for leading the design and building of some really spectacular parks in our community, and this one is kind of near and dear to his heart."
Schilke opened with enthusiasm: "Who doesn't want to go to a beautiful park? I think this is the place to go." He oriented the committee to the 5.77-acre site in the Birchwood neighborhood, explaining that it would serve "this part of…
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### Meeting Overview
The City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Committee met on March 10, 2025, to award a construction contract for Storybook Park Phase One and West Maplewood sidewalk improvements. The committee unanimously approved awarding the nearly $2 million contract to Premium Services Inc., bringing a 15-year park development project closer to reality.
### Key Terms and Concepts
**Premium Services Inc.:** The Bellingham-based construction company that submitted the lowest responsive bid of $1,983,491.62 for the Storybook Park and sidewalk project.
**Park Impact Fees:** A funding source totaling $1,213,491.55 used to pay for park construction, collected from new developments to help fund recreational amenities for growing communities.
**Real Estate Excise Tax (REET 2):** A local tax on property sales that generated $480,222.00 for park frontage improvements in this project.
**Transportation Benefit District Fund:** Local transportation funding that contributed $289,778.07 for right-of-way improvements connecting the park to Alderwood Avenue.
**Birchwood Neighborhood:** The area where Storybook Park is located, which has few recreational amenities and will be served by this new 5.77-acre neighborhood park.
**Park Master Plan:** The approved design document that guides park development, showing playground areas, trails, parking, and future restroom facilities.
**Phase Development:** A construction approach where amenities are built in stages - Phase One includes the playground and basic amenities, while Phase Two will add a permanent restroom when funding allows.
**Encampment Management:** City strategy to address unauthorized camping in parks through solid waste team coordination, regular park staff visits, and potential enforcement positions.
### Key People at This Meeting
| Name | Role / Affiliation |
|---|---|
| Edwin "Skip" Williams | Committee Chair, Fourth Ward Council Member |
| Hannah Stone | Committee Member, First Ward Council Member |
| Jace Cotton | Committee Member, At-Large Council Member |
| Nicole Oliver | Parks & Recreation Director |
| Jonathan Schilk | Landscape Architect presenting the project |
| Lisa Anderson | Council Member (not on committee but attended) |
| Michael Lilliquist | Council Member (not on com…
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