# 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 residential tract along 32nd Street connecting to Connolly Creek Nature Area, and several forested parcels near Arroyo Park's waterfall area. "Really beautiful forested property, it was really really generous donation from them," Lane acknowledged. Development work focused heavily on design and infrastructure improvements. Major projects included trail design for the Sunset Pond Loop Trail, reconstruction of the Little Squalicum Pier with new decking and solar lighting, and significant fencing improvements at Woodstock Farm to protect archaeological resources. The 100 Acre Wood restoration project began Phase 1A and 1B work to restore hydrology and install boardwalks over Hogue's Creek. The maintenance allocation supported six full-time equivalent positions across various park operations teams, while funding major improvements like the Fairhaven Park sport courts restoration and Maritime Heritage Park boardwalk renovation. Most notably, the new climate resiliency spending category found its footing by supporting the volunteer stewardship program, multimodal transportation trails, and energy efficiency projects. "We really tried to follow your all recommendations as much as we could," Lane emphasized, referring to the committee's subcommittee work that shaped how this new category would be defined. Neil raised concerns about the abundance of development reserves—nearly $8 million carrying forward—but Lane explained this reflects the pipeline nature of major capital projects. "Several of these on this project list are very expensive projects we've been working on for a few years where they're about to be constructed. So at 8 million. It's great that we have it, but it is going to start to draw down fairly quickly here." The Sunset Pond Trail construction alone carries a $4.5 million price tag, while Boulevard Park shoreline enhancement will cost $1.5 million and 100 Acre Wood completion another $1.2 million. These projects represent years of design work finally moving to construction. Committee member concerns about map quality and presentation details led to productive discussion about improving the visual materials before the City Council presentation. "I'm not loving the maps. I'll probably redo these maps," Lane acknowledged, emphasizing that the current versions were placeholders for rapid assembly. ## Public Engagement and Volunteer Program Recognition The meeting began with strong public testimony highlighting both the successes and challenges of community engagement around trails and parks. Daniel Prost, project lead for the Bellingham Mount Baker Trail, continued his advocacy for regional trail mapping in the PROS plan update, while also drawing attention to underdeveloped trailheads. "Man, if this would actually been built, it would have been amazing," Prost said, sharing a 1996 Chuck Mountain Trails master plan. He specifically called for renewed attention to the North Chuckanut trailhead, which remains little more than "an empty gravel lot" despite years of break-ins and security issues at area trailheads. Jim Mark from the King Mountain Neighborhood Trails Committee offered support for key PROS plan principles, particularly the goal of providing trail access within a half-mile safe route for all residents. "If you don't lock in the trail rights away before development occurs, you can never get on to those other secondary concerns," he emphasized, highlighting the urgency of securing corridors before neighborhoods build out. The most passionate testimony came from Brian Armstrong, a park steward at Connolly Creek Park, who delivered a detailed tribute to the volunteer stewardship program. Speaking remotely, Armstrong described remarkable recent accomplishments: "just earlier this month we were able to do hot 2,600 plants and trees. Connolly Creek on a miserable, rainy day. We were able to plant a hundred of those plants." Armstrong's testimony revealed the program's impressive scope and community impact. Recent work parties transplanted over 200 ferns to close 400 feet of unauthorized trail at 100 Acre Wood, while partnerships with Western Washington University and Whatcom Land Trust enabled major restoration efforts at Happy Valley and other sites. However, Armstrong expressed concern about the program's visibility following recent survey results. "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." He advocated for better promotion and more flexible scheduling, noting that some families can only participate when swimming practice or other weekend activities don't conflict. "There's one woman at last week's party said her son and her were able to come out because usually has swimming practice, but didn't have it that weekend." The volunteer program's success stories include participants traveling from as far as Renton and Kenmore for Saturday work parties. "There are people that travel like from Renton Kenmore, and I know a couple of people out in the county that actually come into Bellingham just to work at these work parties," Armstrong reported. Lane acknowledged the volunteer program's contributions in the annual report, noting that work parties covered nearly 15 acres in 2024, equivalent to several full-time staff positions. The program operates under the new climate resiliency spending category, reflecting its role in habitat restoration and community resilience. ## Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan Goals and Policies Peter Gill presented updated goals and policies for the PROS plan, which will go before the Planning Commission later in the month and then open for public review. The goals framework attempts to balance multiple community needs while maintaining focus on parks department core functions. The eight proposed goals reflect extensive input from committee subcommittees and community feedback: 1. **Equity**: Provide high quality facilities and services that are accessible, inclusive, and distributed equitably across Bellingham 2. **Design**: Create environments to support wellness and a sense of safety, connect people and nature and provide a sense of place 3. **Preservation**: Preserve greenways and enhance climate resiliency within the park system 4. **Play**: Develop innovative and diverse programs, services and strategies for improving recreational opportunities 5. **Connection**: Interconnect the city's parks and open spaces with trails, greenways, and multimodal street facilities 6. **System Resiliency**: Operate and maintain parks, trails, and facilities effectively and sustainably 7. **Partnerships**: Cultivating strong partnerships and public engagement to enhance recreational opportunities Several goals directly reflect committee subcommittee recommendations from 2024. The equity goal includes providing "a system of parks, trails, and open spaces, so that all residents living within a half mile of a developed park or trail" have safe route access—a level of service standard that sparked detailed discussion. Neil questioned the half-mile standard's feasibility and coverage. "I was trying to picture like what does that mean? How many trails and parks would have to be everywhere." Peter explained the standard assumes a 10-minute walk, covering roughly 500 acres in a half-mile radius. "We are good except on the north side of town," he noted regarding current coverage. The preservation goal includes language directly from Greenways priorities: "Acquire environmental features that reflect Bellingham's natural character, including ridge lines, critical areas, forests, and wildlife corridors." This represents a shift from previous "protect" language to the more proactive "acquire," reflecting the committee's acquisition-focused approach. Connection goals incorporate multiple trail subcommittee recommendations, including requirements to "integrate and expand signage, wayfinding, and education materials that guide users through the parks, trails, and clearly established rules for use" and "publish route guides, and develop trail branding to encourage recreation and transportation within and between greenway trail corridors." Committee members pushed for stronger diversity and inclusion language beyond simply "celebrating" community diversity. Neil suggested more proactive approaches: "how is parks welcoming and helping people from diverse backgrounds have a sense of belonging in the parks... how do certain ethnic communities use the parks in ways that the parks can be get feedback about?" The discussion highlighted ongoing tension between survey-driven planning that reflects majority preferences and intentional outreach to underserved communities with different recreational needs. "What if there's a group of people want to play cricket," Neil observed, noting that minority interests rarely rise to the top in traditional public input processes. Peter acknowledged these concerns and indicated the goals remain under internal review with likely changes before Planning Commission presentation. The committee will have another week to provide feedback before the goals advance through the formal review process. ## Samish Neighborhood Association Greenways Vision Dina presented a comprehensive update on the Samish Neighborhood Association Greenways (SNAG) subcommittee's vision for trail connectivity from Lake Padden to Whatcom Creek. The presentation represented nearly three years of volunteer work mapping, cataloging, and envisioning improved access to the roughly 200-acre Samish Crest forested area. "Our vision: a continuous open space corridor and trail network from lake Padden to Whatcom Creek," Dina explained, crediting David with creating the detailed mapping and story map documentation that supports the 60-page vision document with 23 maps. The volunteer effort involved extensive field work using GPS tracking to document existing public and private trails throughout the area. Current users include "walkers, hikers, trail runners, families with children, sightseers, and mountain bikers" navigating steep, muddy trails with poor signage and confusing junctions. The ecological significance of Samish Crest cannot be overstated. Bellingham's 2021 wildlife corridor analysis classified much of the area as important wildlife habitat, supporting an urban forest treasure with Douglas firs, Western red cedars, Western hemlocks, and diverse understory species. "Fabulous geography caves" add to the area's appeal, though Dina noted the constant challenge of navigation without adequate wayfinding. Recent developments have advanced the vision significantly. The city's March 7 acquisition of 66 acres connecting north and south Samish Crest open spaces provided legal access from Governor Road, eliminating the previous no-trespassing situation that users regularly ignored. "Now we're legal," Dina celebrated. The comprehensive vision identifies 12 potential trailhead locations and 33 trail access points, each requiring signage improvements, printed maps, QR codes for digital navigation, interpretive materials, and basic amenities like dog waste stations. Dina showed examples from Milwaukee demonstrating effective trailhead design with clear "you are here" mapping and posted rules. Current trail access points remain nearly invisible and uninviting. Photos showed typical access between homes with no signage indicating public availability, steep terrain requiring switchback improvements, and confusing pathways that appear to cross private driveways. The urban growth area expansion consideration adds complexity to the vision, as development pressure on viewpoint properties could eliminate some of the area's most spectacular scenic opportunities. The proximity to population centers makes Samish Crest "an ideal place for enjoying the views and for housing development," creating tension between preservation and growth management. Next steps include submitting the vision to the city, participating in public processes for master plan adoption, making presentations as requested, identifying trails for decommissioning, and advocating for funding and improvements. "This has not had a public process at all," Dina noted, emphasizing the need for broader community input beyond the volunteer committee. The committee praised the substantial progress since the previous presentation over a year ago, recognizing both the volunteer commitment and the strategic importance of connecting major park areas through protected corridors. ## Executive Session and Property Acquisition The meeting concluded with an executive session for property acquisition discussion, resulting in a unanimous 6-0 vote to pursue due diligence on an undisclosed property. This procedural action continues the committee's active role in evaluating potential additions to Bellingham's park system, though details remain confidential during the evaluation process. ## Looking Ahead The committee faces several key milestones in coming weeks. The annual report presentation to City Council, originally scheduled for late April, will likely occur on May 5. The PROS plan goals and policies will advance to Planning Commission review at month's end, followed by public comment periods that will test the framework's community support. The meeting revealed a Greenways program gaining confidence in its expanded scope while grappling with the challenges of equitable outreach, strategic prioritization, and transparent communication about complex funding mechanisms. The volunteer stewardship program's success stories demonstrate community hunger for meaningful engagement, even as survey data suggests many residents remain unaware of these opportunities. As spring work party season begins and major construction projects break ground, the committee's oversight role becomes increasingly important in ensuring levy promises translate into accessible, well-maintained community assets that serve all of Bellingham's diverse neighborhoods and recreational needs.