Greenways Advisory Committee

**May Meeting Minutes:** Approved with amendment specifying that "the committee made no recommendation regarding the use of Greenway funds" for the Wharf Street project (Vote: 5-0 with 2 abstentions). **Meeting Cancellations/Rescheduling:** Canceled July 10th meeting due to room unavailability and staff vacation; August meeting will be held at alternative location to be determined. **PROS Plan Process:** Received information on park inventory and upcoming trails mapping exercise, with committee participation expected in July-August timeframe. No formal votes were taken on budget items or policy recommendations during this meeting.

**Brian Armstrong, on park stewardship:** "There's a lot of trails and parks throughout our system that are just littered with invasive species. And when I look through the Greenways levee and see all the whereas clauses there's a lot of talk about how we need to sustain and steward our land." **Brian Armstrong, on volunteer program capacity:** "We still have 150 plus applications of people are ready and willing to do work within our park systems that have not been approved yet." **Peter, on park usage data:** "Lake Padden at the very top, 838,000 users in 2024... that's not users, I'm sorry I gotta stop saying that it's visits, so one person could visit it 10 times a year every time they go to visit it." **Lane, on trails mapping importance:** "I use that every day I have it open every day. I reference it every day we use it and what we do. So it's really important." **Neil, on process concerns:** "We were presented with a project that was not already in one of our plans, and we didn't know it was there. But we're going to talk about using Greenways money for it. But then the committee wasn't given an opportunity to say either way." **Lane, on Salish Landing connectivity:** "We're building a 17 acre waterfront park that's eventually going to have 200 parking spots... and we're not going to have a way for pedestrians and bicyclists to get safely down there without going all the way back around."

--- ## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE ### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham Greenways Advisory Committee met on June 5, 2025, to discuss parks and recreation planning, staffing changes, and trail mapping initiatives. The committee welcomed new member Kathy and received updates on the Parks and Recreation Operations Plan (PROS Plan) inventory and upcoming trail mapping efforts. ### Key Terms and Concepts **PROS Plan:** The Parks and Recreation Operations Plan is Bellingham's 20-year strategic plan for parks, trails, and recreation services, updated every six years to guide development and acquisitions. **Placer AI Data:** Cell phone-based foot traffic data that tracks visits to parks and trails, showing usage patterns, peak times, and seasonal trends across the city's park system. **Level of Service:** Standards that define how accessible park amenities should be to residents, such as a 10-minute walk to neighborhood parks or a 5-minute drive to community parks. **Trail Corridors:** Primary trail routes that connect parks, open spaces, and regional trail systems, serving as the "arterial" pathways in the citywide trail network. **ArcGIS Online:** The mapping platform committee members will use to review and comment on proposed trail connections during the PROS Plan update process. **Span of Control:** Management principle referring to the number of employees one supervisor can effectively oversee, with 8-12 direct reports considered optimal. **Greenways Levy:** Voter-approved funding specifically designated for acquiring, developing, and maintaining parks, trails, and open spaces in Bellingham. **Community Parks:** Larger parks (like Lake Padden and Boulevard Park) designed to serve the entire city with major recreational facilities and amenities. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Peter (last name not given) | Parks and Recreation staff presenting PROS Plan inventory | | Lane (last name not given) | Parks and Recreation staff leading trail mapping discussion | | Steve Janiszewski | Park Operations Manager | | Steve Nordeen | Retiring Park Grounds Maintenance Manager (36-year career) | | Annalise Burns | Habitat and Restoration Manager, Public Works Department | | Neil (last name not given) | Committee member who raised process concerns about Wharf Street project | | David (last name not given) | Committee member | | Kathy | New committee member, lives near the Railroad Grade Trail | | Brian Armstrong | Public commenter advocating for increased volunteer program support | | Chris Sandvig | Public commenter suggesting Samish Crest to Galbraith Mountain trail connection | ### Background Context Bellingham is updating its PROS Plan for 2025-2045, a comprehensive 20-year strategy that guides all parks and recreation decisions. The city expects to accommodate about 30,000 new residents over the next 20 years, requiring strategic planning for new parks and trail connections. The PROS Plan serves as more than a wish list—it has legal weight, allowing the city to require developers to provide park and trail facilities when building new projects. The Greenways Advisory Committee plays a crucial role in this process, particularly for trail planning. Their recommendations help determine which trail projects receive funding from the voter-approved Greenways levy. The committee is currently preparing to review and refine the citywide trail network map, which will guide acquisition priorities and capital projects for the next six years. The Parks Operations Division is undergoing significant restructuring following the retirement of a long-serving manager who supervised 32 staff members—far above the recommended span of control. This reorganization will create three new field supervisors to better manage grounds, trails, and urban forestry crews. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee welcomed new member Kathy and heard public comments about invasive species management and the need for better volunteer program support. Staff presented detailed PROS Plan inventory data showing Lake Padden as the most-visited park (838,000 annual visits) and Elizabeth Park as the top neighborhood park (40,000 visits). Parks Operations Manager Steve Janiszewski announced the retirement of Grounds Maintenance Manager Steve Nordeen and explained plans to create three new field supervisor positions to improve span of control. Peter presented comprehensive park usage data from Placer AI, revealing seasonal patterns and time-of-day usage across different park types. The city currently manages 26 neighborhood parks, 10 community parks, 16 special-use sites, and 75 open space properties totaling nearly 1,500 acres. Lane introduced the trail mapping process for the PROS Plan update, explaining how committee members will use ArcGIS Online to review and comment on proposed trail connections. The process will culminate in an August workshop with printed maps for detailed review. Committee member Neil raised procedural concerns about the Wharf Street Trail project, questioning whether the committee should have been asked to make a formal recommendation before nearly $1 million in Greenways funding was committed. ### What to Watch Next • Committee members must log into their new ArcGIS Online accounts within two weeks or lose access • Trail mapping workshop scheduled for August meeting with large printed maps for detailed review • July meeting canceled—next regular meeting in August at a different location TBD • Field trips begin June 13 to Samish Crest, with three more scheduled through September • Budget proposal coming this fall will include all Greenways-funded projects for committee review --- ## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Q:** How many annual visits does Lake Padden receive according to 2024 data? **A:** 838,000 visits, making it Bellingham's most-visited park. **Q:** Who is Steve Nordeen and what milestone is he reaching? **A:** The long-serving Park Grounds Maintenance Manager retiring after a 36-year career with Parks and Recreation. **Q:** What is the recommended span of control ratio for supervisors? **A:** One supervisor per 8-12 employees, compared to Steve Nordeen's current 32 direct reports. **Q:** Which neighborhood park receives the most visitors annually? **A:** Elizabeth Park with 40,000 visits, significantly higher than other small neighborhood parks. **Q:** How many new residents is Bellingham planning to accommodate over the next 20 years? **A:** About 30,000 people, requiring strategic planning for new parks and trail connections. **Q:** What peak usage time do most parks experience? **A:** 3 PM for most parks, though Civic Athletic Complex peaks at 6 PM due to indoor facilities. **Q:** How many miles of trails does the city currently manage? **A:** 85 total miles, with 63 miles classified as multi-use trails. **Q:** What is the level of service standard for neighborhood parks? **A:** A 10-minute walk from residences, ensuring close-to-home recreation opportunities. **Q:** How many open space properties has the city added since 2020? **A:** 16 properties totaling 302 acres of new open space. **Q:** What mapping platform will committee members use for trail review? **A:** ArcGIS Online, requiring login within 14-15 days to maintain access. **Q:** How many trail segments are currently in the PROS Plan? **A:** Approximately 280 trail segments, with 65 analyzed as high-priority connections. **Q:** What makes the PROS Plan legally significant beyond planning? **A:** It allows Parks Department to require developers to provide trail and park facilities in new developments. **Q:** When is the major trail mapping workshop scheduled? **A:** August 2025 meeting, featuring large printed maps for detailed committee review. **Q:** What peak visitor count did Civic Athletic Complex reach? **A:** 1.2 million visits in 2022, higher than any other community park. **Q:** How much Greenways funding is proposed for the Wharf Street Trail? **A:** Nearly $1 million, which raised procedural concerns about committee input. **Q:** What data source tracks park usage patterns? **A:** Placer AI, which uses cell phone data to measure foot traffic and visit patterns. **Q:** How many community gardens does the city currently operate? **A:** Four community gardens, with one added since the last PROS Plan update. **Q:** Why was the July meeting canceled? **A:** Meeting room unavailable and staff on vacation; next meeting in August at different location. **Q:** What trail connection did public commenter Chris Sandvig propose? **A:** Samish Crest to Galbraith Mountain via Wade King School and Kingsmill Street. **Q:** How many people attended Councilor Cotton's Samish Crest public forum? **A:** About 80 people showed up to discuss the Samish West Greenway and development issues. --- ## MODULE S3: QUIZ WITH ANSWER KEY **Question 1: According to 2024 data, which park receives the most annual visits?** - A) Boulevard Park - B) Whatcom Falls Park - C) Lake Padden - D) Civic Athletic Complex **Question 2: How many direct reports does retiring manager Steve Nordeen currently supervise?** - A) 12 employees - B) 24 employees - C) 32 employees - D) 45 employees **Question 3: What is the city's level of service standard for neighborhood parks?** - A) 5-minute drive - B) 10-minute walk - C) 15-minute walk - D) 20-minute drive **Question 4: How many miles of trails has the city added since 2020?** - A) 3 miles - B) 5 miles - C) 8 miles - D) 10 miles **Question 5: What peak usage time do most parks experience?** - A) 12 PM (noon) - B) 3 PM - C) 6 PM - D) 8 PM **Question 6: How much Greenways funding is proposed for the Wharf Street Trail project?** - A) $500,000 - B) $750,000 - C) Nearly $1 million - D) $1.5 million **Question 7: How many new residents is Bellingham planning to accommodate by 2045?** - A) 15,000 people - B) 30,000 people - C) 45,000 people - D) 60,000 people **Question 8: What data source does the city use to track park usage patterns?** - A) Manual visitor counts - B) Parking lot sensors - C) Placer AI cell phone data - D) Survey responses **Question 9: When is the major trail mapping workshop scheduled?** - A) July 2025 - B) August 2025 - C) September 2025 - D) October 2025 **Question 10: Why was the July Greenways meeting canceled?** - A) Lack of agenda items - B) Committee member unavailability - C) Room unavailable and staff on vacation - D) Budget constraints **Answer Key:** **1. C** — Lake Padden received 838,000 visits in 2024, making it the most-visited park in the system. **2. C** — Steve Nordeen supervises 32 direct reports, far above the recommended 8-12 employee span of control. **3. B** — Neighborhood parks should be within a 10-minute walk of residences to provide close-to-home recreation. **4. B** — The city has added 5 miles of trails since 2020, a significant addition to the 85-mile system. **5. B** — Most parks peak at 3 PM, though Civic Athletic Complex peaks at 6 PM due to indoor facilities. **6. C** — Nearly $1 million in Greenways funding is proposed, raising committee concerns about the approval process. **7. B** — Bellingham expects about 30,000 new residents over 20 years, requiring strategic parks planning. **8. C** — Placer AI uses cell phone data to track foot traffic patterns, providing detailed usage analytics. **9. B** — The August 2025 meeting will feature large printed maps for detailed trail network review. **10. C** — Both the meeting room and staff were unavailable in July, necessitating the cancellation. --- ## MODULE S4: Q&A — COMMON QUESTIONS **Q: Why is the city updating the PROS Plan now?** A: The PROS Plan is updated every six years to plan for the next 20-year period. The current update covers 2025-2045 and must account for Bellingham's expected 30,000 new residents. The plan guides all major parks and recreation decisions, including where to build new facilities and which trail connections to prioritize. **Q: How does the PROS Plan affect new development in the city?** A: The PROS Plan has legal weight because it's adopted as part of the comprehensive plan. This allows the Parks Department to require developers to provide park and trail facilities when building new projects, just like requiring sewer lines or sidewalks. If a trail is mapped in the PROS Plan, a developer building nearby may be required to construct that segment. **Q: What makes Lake Padden so much more popular than other parks?** A: Lake Padden received 838,000 visits in 2024, likely due to its combination of amenities—swimming beach, disc golf course, trail loop, and parking. It alternates with Boulevard Park as the city's most-visited destination year after year, showing how waterfront access and diverse activities drive usage. **Q: How will the Parks Operations restructuring improve services?** A: Steve Nordeen supervised 32 employees—far above the recommended 8-12 span of control. The restructuring creates three new field supervisors for grounds, trails, and urban forestry crews. This should improve communication, performance management, and project coordination across the parks system. **Q: Why use cell phone data to track park usage instead of traditional methods?** A: Placer AI data provides continuous, year-round tracking that would be impossible with manual counting. It reveals patterns like seasonal usage spikes and shows that most parks peak at 3 PM while Civic Athletic Complex peaks at 6 PM. This data helps staff understand when and how people use different facilities. **Q: How can community members influence the trail mapping process?** A: Committee members will review proposed trails using ArcGIS Online and can add comments and suggestions. The August workshop will feature large printed maps for detailed review. Public engagement will happen through Engage Bellingham, where residents can drop pins on maps and make comments about desired connections. **Q: What was the controversy about the Wharf Street Trail project?** A: Committee member Neil raised concerns that the committee wasn't asked to make a recommendation before nearly $1 million in Greenways funding was committed to the project. The project came up opportunistically during railroad crossing improvements, but the process bypassed the committee's normal project review and prioritization procedures. **Q: How do neighborhood parks differ from community parks in planning?** A: Neighborhood parks should be within a 10-minute walk of residences and serve daily recreation needs. Community parks like Lake Padden serve the whole city and require a 5-minute drive standard. The city has 26 neighborhood parks (296 acres) versus 10 community parks (1,000 acres), showing the different scales and purposes. **Q: Why was new member Kathy interested in joining the committee?** A: Kathy lives near the Railroad Grade Trail behind Hagen-Berkeley Village and wants to protect existing trails while improving connections between them. As an outdoor enthusiast who moved to Bellingham specifically for the trail access, she represents the growing constituency that values the city's greenways network. **Q: What happens if committee members don't log into ArcGIS Online in time?** A: New users have 14-15 days to log in and set up their accounts or they'll lose access to the trail mapping system. This would prevent them from participating in the online review process that's central to updating the trail network plan. The system is restricted to committee members and not public at this stage.

## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE **Meeting ID:** BEL-GRN-2025-06-05 ### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham Greenways Advisory Committee met on June 5, 2025, to discuss parks and recreation planning, staffing changes, and trail mapping initiatives. The committee welcomed new member Kathy and received updates on the Parks and Recreation Operations Plan (PROS Plan) inventory and upcoming trail mapping efforts. ### Key Terms and Concepts **PROS Plan:** The Parks and Recreation Operations Plan is Bellingham's 20-year strategic plan for parks, trails, and recreation services, updated every six years to guide development and acquisitions. **Placer AI Data:** Cell phone-based foot traffic data that tracks visits to parks and trails, showing usage patterns, peak times, and seasonal trends across the city's park system. **Level of Service:** Standards that define how accessible park amenities should be to residents, such as a 10-minute walk to neighborhood parks or a 5-minute drive to community parks. **Trail Corridors:** Primary trail routes that connect parks, open spaces, and regional trail systems, serving as the "arterial" pathways in the citywide trail network. **ArcGIS Online:** The mapping platform committee members will use to review and comment on proposed trail connections during the PROS Plan update process. **Span of Control:** Management principle referring to the number of employees one supervisor can effectively oversee, with 8-12 direct reports considered optimal. **Greenways Levy:** Voter-approved funding specifically designated for acquiring, developing, and maintaining parks, trails, and open spaces in Bellingham. **Community Parks:** Larger parks (like Lake Padden and Boulevard Park) designed to serve the entire city with major recreational facilities and amenities. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Peter (last name not given) | Parks and Recreation staff presenting PROS Plan inventory | | Lane (last name not given) | Parks and Recreation staff leading trail mapping discussion | | Steve Janiszewski | Park Operations Manager | | Steve Nordeen | Retiring Park Grounds Maintenance Manager (36-year career) | | Annalise Burns | Habitat and Restoration Manager, Public Works Department | | Neil (last name not given) | Committee member who raised process concerns about Wharf Street project | | David (last name not given) | Committee member | | Kathy | New committee member, lives near the Railroad Grade Trail | | Brian Armstrong | Public commenter advocating for increased volunteer program support | | Chris Sandvig | Public commenter suggesting Samish Crest to Galbraith Mountain trail connection | ### Background Context Bellingham is updating its PROS Plan for 2025-2045, a comprehensive 20-year strategy that guides all parks and recreation decisions. The city expects to accommodate about 30,000 new residents over the next 20 years, requiring strategic planning for new parks and trail connections. The PROS Plan serves as more than a wish list—it has legal weight, allowing the city to require developers to provide park and trail facilities when building new projects. The Greenways Advisory Committee plays a crucial role in this process, particularly for trail planning. Their recommendations help determine which trail projects receive funding from the voter-approved Greenways levy. The committee is currently preparing to review and refine the citywide trail network map, which will guide acquisition priorities and capital projects for the next six years. The Parks Operations Division is undergoing significant restructuring following the retirement of a long-serving manager who supervised 32 staff members—far above the recommended span of control. This reorganization will create three new field supervisors to better manage grounds, trails, and urban forestry crews. ### What Happened — The Short Version The committee welcomed new member Kathy and heard public comments about invasive species management and the need for better volunteer program support. Staff presented detailed PROS Plan inventory data showing Lake Padden as the most-visited park (838,000 annual visits) and Elizabeth Park as the top neighborhood park (40,000 visits). Parks Operations Manager Steve Janiszewski announced the retirement of Grounds Maintenance Manager Steve Nordeen and explained plans to create three new field supervisor positions to improve span of control. Peter presented comprehensive park usage data from Placer AI, revealing seasonal patterns and time-of-day usage across different park types. The city currently manages 26 neighborhood parks, 10 community parks, 16 special-use sites, and 75 open space properties totaling nearly 1,500 acres. Lane introduced the trail mapping process for the PROS Plan update, explaining how committee members will use ArcGIS Online to review and comment on proposed trail connections. The process will culminate in an August workshop with printed maps for detailed review. Committee member Neil raised procedural concerns about the Wharf Street Trail project, questioning whether the committee should have been asked to make a formal recommendation before nearly $1 million in Greenways funding was committed. ### What to Watch Next • Committee members must log into their new ArcGIS Online accounts within two weeks or lose access • Trail mapping workshop scheduled for August meeting with large printed maps for detailed review • July meeting canceled—next regular meeting in August at a different location TBD • Field trips begin June 13 to Samish Crest, with three more scheduled through September • Budget proposal coming this fall will include all Greenways-funded projects for committee review ---

## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Meeting ID:** BEL-GRN-2025-06-05 **Q:** How many annual visits does Lake Padden receive according to 2024 data? **A:** 838,000 visits, making it Bellingham's most-visited park. **Q:** Who is Steve Nordeen and what milestone is he reaching? **A:** The long-serving Park Grounds Maintenance Manager retiring after a 36-year career with Parks and Recreation. **Q:** What is the recommended span of control ratio for supervisors? **A:** One supervisor per 8-12 employees, compared to Steve Nordeen's current 32 direct reports. **Q:** Which neighborhood park receives the most visitors annually? **A:** Elizabeth Park with 40,000 visits, significantly higher than other small neighborhood parks. **Q:** How many new residents is Bellingham planning to accommodate over the next 20 years? **A:** About 30,000 people, requiring strategic planning for new parks and trail connections. **Q:** What peak usage time do most parks experience? **A:** 3 PM for most parks, though Civic Athletic Complex peaks at 6 PM due to indoor facilities. **Q:** How many miles of trails does the city currently manage? **A:** 85 total miles, with 63 miles classified as multi-use trails. **Q:** What is the level of service standard for neighborhood parks? **A:** A 10-minute walk from residences, ensuring close-to-home recreation opportunities. **Q:** How many open space properties has the city added since 2020? **A:** 16 properties totaling 302 acres of new open space. **Q:** What mapping platform will committee members use for trail review? **A:** ArcGIS Online, requiring login within 14-15 days to maintain access. **Q:** How many trail segments are currently in the PROS Plan? **A:** Approximately 280 trail segments, with 65 analyzed as high-priority connections. **Q:** What makes the PROS Plan legally significant beyond planning? **A:** It allows Parks Department to require developers to provide trail and park facilities in new developments. **Q:** When is the major trail mapping workshop scheduled? **A:** August 2025 meeting, featuring large printed maps for detailed committee review. **Q:** What peak visitor count did Civic Athletic Complex reach? **A:** 1.2 million visits in 2022, higher than any other community park. **Q:** How much Greenways funding is proposed for the Wharf Street Trail? **A:** Nearly $1 million, which raised procedural concerns about committee input. **Q:** What data source tracks park usage patterns? **A:** Placer AI, which uses cell phone data to measure foot traffic and visit patterns. **Q:** How many community gardens does the city currently operate? **A:** Four community gardens, with one added since the last PROS Plan update. **Q:** Why was the July meeting canceled? **A:** Meeting room unavailable and staff on vacation; next meeting in August at different location. **Q:** What trail connection did public commenter Chris Sandvig propose? **A:** Samish Crest to Galbraith Mountain via Wade King School and Kingsmill Street. **Q:** How many people attended Councilor Cotton's Samish Crest public forum? **A:** About 80 people showed up to discuss the Samish West Greenway and development issues. ---