Bellingham Parks and Recreation Committee

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### Meeting Overview The Parks and Recreation Committee met on March 23, 2026, to review the Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan. The committee, chaired by Councilmember Williams with members Hamill and Cotton, unanimously recommended approval of the master plan that reimagines the complex as a premier recreational campus serving the community for the next 20 years. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Civic Athletic Campus:** The reframed vision moving away from "Complex" to emphasize a connected, cohesive community space rather than separate facilities. **Civic Spine:** An all-ages, all-abilities mixed-use path that connects the north and south ends of the site, creating safe accessibility for everyone including wheelchair users and families with strollers. **Civic Promenade:** A car-free block along Joe Martin Field that transforms existing streets into pedestrian space with trees, benches, and potential for food trucks and festivals. **Master Plan:** A 20-year strategic blueprint guiding investments, uses, and improvements to recreational assets at the Civic Athletic Complex. **Community Recreation Center:** A proposed new facility to replace/expand Arnie Hannah with enhanced aquatics and indoor recreation opportunities. **Carl Kosher Elementary Relocation:** A potential 5-acre school site placement at the north end of the campus, pending Bellingham Public Schools' capital decisions. **Load and Unload Zones:** Designated curb spaces for quickly dropping off athletic gear and passengers without needing to park. **Phased Implementation:** A three-phase development approach starting with northern fields and school site, then the civic spine, and finally major capital projects. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Edwin "Skip" Williams | Parks & Recreation Committee Chair | | Daniel Hammill | Committee Member | | Jace Cotton | Committee Member | | Lisa Anderson | Councilmember (attendee) | | Hannah Stone | Council President | | Nicole Oliver | Parks & Recreation Director | | Bryce | Presenter from MXM (consulting firm) | ### Background Context This master planning effort began in 2022 with extensive communit…