Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

**No formal votes were taken at this meeting.** This was primarily an informational session with presentations and public input. Key informational items included: **Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan Framework**: Staff presented the preferred concept featuring a land swap with Bellingham School District, underground parking structure with recreational amenities above, and repositioning Orleans as a pedestrian promenade. The plan advances to community recreation center design phase with 12-14 months of additional community engagement. **Playground Construction Timeline**: Bowdoin Donovan Park playground renovation accelerated to 2025 construction with $367,600 budget, three-week closure planned for September. Rock Hill Park playground design finalized at $264,000 with 2026 installation timeline. **Cost Recovery Implementation**: Recreation division moves forward with new pricing tool and cost recovery targets, aiming to reduce subsidy rate from 77% to 50% over 3-5 years. Woodstock Farm rental fees increased to $4,000 per event.

"This really is a place that the entire community comes together, and it is no surprise... it's the premier destination for sports... with over 72,000 visitors per month, which is almost twice of Lake Padden or Boulevard parks combined." **Joanne, on Cornwall Park habitat loss:** "The great horned owls have left Cornwall Park. This is the first season that they have not had a nesting box filled with their little owlets... Can you imagine if you had someone riding through your house over and over. Would you want to have babies there? No, you're not going to do that. You're going to leave." **Brian Armstrong, on stewardship programs:** "150 applications currently. Over 150, from my understanding, are still waiting to be approved, and we can't even sign new people up right now because of staff shortages... habitat restoration, when we restore that habitat, the long-term costs go down." **Bryce Merriman, on naming:** "You don't want your parks to feel complex. You want them to feel humane, you want them to feel inviting, you want them to feel legible and clear." **Melissa Stevens, on cost recovery reality:** "Right now, we're at about a 77% subsidy level in the Recreation Division. We're hoping to get to a 50% subsidy level in the next 3 to 5 years." **Nicole, on Woodstock Farm pricing:** "So if you want to get married at Woodstock now, the days of the $900 to $1,200 a day are behind us... we have increased it to $4,000 per event."

# Real Briefings — Supplemental Content ## BEL-PRB-2025-06-11 --- ## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE ### Meeting Overview The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on June 11, 2025, with major presentations on the Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan and a comprehensive cost recovery analysis for recreation programs. The board also received updates on playground improvements and a student proposal for charging stations. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Cost Recovery:** The percentage of program expenses that the city attempts to recoup through user fees, ranging from 0% for basic park access to 100%+ for private services. **Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan:** A comprehensive redesign proposal for Bellingham's most visited park facility, potentially including a land swap with the school district and major infrastructure changes. **Beneficiary of Service:** A framework used to determine who benefits from recreation programs and how much they should reasonably pay through fees versus taxpayer subsidy. **Service Categories:** Classifications of recreation programs based on public versus individual benefit, from "common good" (0% recovery) to "individualized benefit" (100% recovery). **Tuck-Under Parking:** A proposed parking structure built into existing grade changes to minimize visual impact while providing structured parking spaces. **Consortium Meetings:** Stakeholder meetings that included parents, athletes, and community groups to provide input on the Civic Complex redesign. **ADA Requirements:** Americans with Disabilities Act standards that new playground equipment must meet for accessibility, including wheelchair-accessible ramps and transfer stations. **Internal Charges (Interfund Expenses):** City overhead costs like IT, utilities, and administrative services that are allocated to the Parks Department budget, representing about 20% of recreation expenses. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Nicole Oliver | Parks and Recreation Director | | Bryce Merriman | Landscape Architect, MxMLA (Civic Master Plan consultant) | | Neil McCarthy | Lead Consultant, RMC Architects (Civic Master Plan) | | Melissa Moeller | Recreation Manager (Cost Recovery presentation) | | Jonathan DiPrizio | Parks Operations (Playground projects) | | Jonathan Diaz | BTC Student (Charging station proposal) | | Cody Reiss | BTC Student (Charging station proposal) | | Brian Armstrong | Public commenter (habitat restoration advocate) | | Joan | Public commenter (Cornwall Park wildlife advocate) | ### Background Context The Civic Athletic Complex is Bellingham's most visited park with over 72,000 visitors per month, but aging infrastructure and growing community needs have prompted a comprehensive master planning process. The facility serves competitive sports, recreation, and natural areas, but current layout feels disconnected and some facilities are reaching capacity. Simultaneously, the Parks Department faces budget pressures that have prompted the first-ever comprehensive cost recovery analysis to understand what taxpayers subsidize versus what users pay. The timing is significant because the school district is considering relocating Carl Kosher Elementary School, creating an opportunity for a potential land swap that could enable a long-desired community recreation center. However, major capital improvements would require voter-approved funding mechanisms. ### What Happened — The Short Version Consultants presented the preferred master plan concept for Civic Athletic Complex, featuring a north-south reorganization with the school relocated to the north end and major recreational facilities concentrated in the south. The plan includes controversial elements like losing 200 parking spaces but gaining tuck-under structured parking, new athletic fields on top of parking structures, and a pedestrian promenade along Orleans Street. The board showed enthusiasm but raised concerns about parking capacity. Staff then presented three years of work on cost recovery analysis, revealing that recreation programs currently operate at a 77% subsidy rate (taxpayers pay 77% of costs). The goal is to reach 50% subsidy within 3-5 years through strategic fee increases and program adjustments, while maintaining equity through scholarships and keeping basic park access free. Playground updates showed Bloedel Donovan's $367,600 replacement moving to 2025 construction, while Rock Hill Park's smaller project is planned for 2026. A student team proposed solar-powered phone charging stations for Taylor Dock. ### What to Watch Next - Final negotiations between Parks Department and school district on the land swap terms - Community recreation center market analysis and programming study over the next 12-14 months - City Council consideration of cost recovery policy and fee adjustment authority for Parks Department - Bloedel Donovan playground construction beginning in September 2025 --- ## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Q:** What percentage of Parks Department general fund does the Recreation Division represent? **A:** About 40% of the department's general fund, making it a major budget consideration during difficult financial times. **Q:** How many visitors does Civic Athletic Complex receive monthly? **A:** Over 72,000 visitors per month, making it the most visited park in Bellingham's system—almost twice the combined visits to Lake Padden and Boulevard Parks. **Q:** What is the current subsidy rate for recreation programs? **A:** Recreation programs currently operate at a 77% subsidy rate, meaning taxpayers cover 77% of program costs while user fees cover only 23%. **Q:** How many parking spaces would be lost in the proposed Civic master plan? **A:** About 200 surface parking spaces would be eliminated, but replaced with tuck-under structured parking built into the grade changes. **Q:** What was the community response to the Civic master plan options? **A:** Over 1,000 responses were received—100+ at the in-person open house and 900+ through online surveys, with strong preference for the "park perimeter" option. **Q:** How much will the Bloedel Donovan playground replacement cost? **A:** $367,600 for equipment and installation, with construction now scheduled for 2025 instead of being tied to Rock Hill Park's timeline. **Q:** What is the cost recovery goal for "common good" services? **A:** 0% cost recovery—basic park access like walking trails at Cornwall Park will never have user fees. **Q:** What happened to Woodstock Farm rental fees? **A:** Daily rental fees increased to $4,000 per event, up from the previous range of $900-$1,200, as part of cost recovery improvements. **Q:** Who led the consortium meetings for Civic master planning? **A:** City staff assembled representatives from Carl Kosher Elementary, competitive swimmers, hockey players, baseball interests, football, and track and field. **Q:** What is the target subsidy rate for recreation programs? **A:** 50% subsidy rate within the next 3-5 years, down from the current 77%. **Q:** When will Bloedel Donovan playground construction occur? **A:** September 2025, with about 3 weeks of construction time and completion by September 30th due to Lake Whatcom watershed restrictions. **Q:** What controversial event was mentioned regarding Cornwall Park? **A:** A cyclocross event held during owl breeding season, which public commenters believe has contributed to the departure of great horned owls from the park. **Q:** How many Park Stewards Program applications are pending? **A:** Over 150 applications are waiting approval, but new signups are currently suspended due to staff shortages. **Q:** What percentage of recreation expenses are internal charges? **A:** 20% of expenses are internal charges like IT costs, sewage, utilities, and administrative overhead that Parks has no control over. **Q:** What is proposed for the Orleans Street corridor in the Civic plan? **A:** Converting one block of Orleans into a pedestrian promenade that serves as the "civic spine" and central gathering space for the entire complex. **Q:** How much will the Rock Hill Park playground cost? **A:** $264,000, with equipment purchased in 2025 but installation potentially delayed to 2026 depending on contractor availability. **Q:** What alternative name was suggested for Civic Athletic Complex? **A:** "Civic Athletic Eco-Campus" to better reflect the environmental aspects and create a more welcoming, campus-like identity. **Q:** What student project was proposed for Taylor Dock? **A:** Solar-powered wireless phone charging stations integrated into interpretive panels, designed for saltwater environments. **Q:** Where will Parks Board meetings be held in July and August? **A:** PSOC (Pacific Street Operations Center) Room 114, starting at 7:30 AM on Wednesday mornings due to renovation of current meeting space. **Q:** What was the $10 parking test at Civic? **A:** During a 2019 concert, $10 parking passes were required, which almost nobody purchased—13,000 people found alternative transportation instead. --- ## MODULE S3: QUIZ WITH ANSWER KEY **Question 1: What is the current subsidy rate for Parks Department recreation programs?** - A) 50% - B) 60% - C) 77% - D) 85% **Question 2: How many visitors does Civic Athletic Complex receive per month?** - A) 36,000 - B) 55,000 - C) 72,000 - D) 90,000 **Question 3: What is the estimated cost for the Bloedel Donovan playground replacement?** - A) $264,000 - B) $325,000 - C) $367,600 - D) $425,000 **Question 4: How many survey responses were received about the Civic master plan options?** - A) 500+ - B) 750+ - C) 900+ - D) 1,000+ **Question 5: What percentage of recreation expenses are internal charges that Parks cannot control?** - A) 15% - B) 20% - C) 25% - D) 30% **Question 6: What is the new daily rental fee for Woodstock Farm events?** - A) $2,500 - B) $3,000 - C) $4,000 - D) $5,000 **Question 7: How many Park Stewards Program applications are currently pending approval?** - A) Over 100 - B) Over 125 - C) Over 150 - D) Over 200 **Question 8: When is the Bloedel Donovan playground construction scheduled?** - A) Summer 2025 - B) September 2025 - C) Spring 2026 - D) Fall 2026 **Question 9: What is the cost recovery goal for basic park access like walking trails?** - A) 0% - B) 10% - C) 25% - D) 50% **Question 10: What alternative name was suggested for Civic Athletic Complex?** - A) Civic Recreation Campus - B) Civic Athletic Eco-Campus - C) Bellingham Sports Complex - D) Community Athletic Center **Answer Key:** **1. C — The Recreation Division currently operates at a 77% subsidy rate, meaning taxpayers cover 77% of program costs.** **2. C — Civic Athletic Complex receives over 72,000 visitors per month, making it the most visited park in the system.** **3. C — The Bloedel Donovan playground replacement is estimated at $367,600 for equipment and installation.** **4. D — Over 1,000 responses were received total: 100+ at the open house and 900+ online.** **5. B — 20% of recreation expenses are internal charges like IT, utilities, and administrative costs that Parks cannot control.** **6. C — Woodstock Farm daily rental fees increased to $4,000 per event as part of cost recovery improvements.** **7. C — Over 150 Park Stewards Program applications are waiting approval, with new signups currently suspended.** **8. B — Construction is scheduled for September 2025, with completion required by September 30th due to watershed restrictions.** **9. A — Basic park access like walking trails has a 0% cost recovery goal and will remain free to the public.** **10. B — Consultants suggested "Civic Athletic Eco-Campus" to better reflect environmental aspects and create a more welcoming identity.** --- ## MODULE S4: Q&A — COMMON QUESTIONS **Q: Why is the Parks Department looking at cost recovery for recreation programs now?** A: The Recreation Division represents about 40% of the Parks Department's general fund, and with approaching budget difficulties, staff need to understand what services are fully subsidized by taxpayers versus what users pay. The current 77% subsidy rate may not be sustainable long-term, so the goal is to reach 50% subsidy within 3-5 years while maintaining equity and access. **Q: Will basic park access like walking trails ever require fees?** A: No. Basic park access is classified as "common good" with a 0% cost recovery goal. You'll never pay to walk trails at Cornwall Park or use basic park amenities. Fees are focused on individualized benefit programs like private lessons, specialized classes, or facility rentals that primarily benefit specific users rather than the general community. **Q: What happens to the 200 parking spaces being eliminated at Civic Athletic Complex?** A: They're being replaced with tuck-under structured parking built into the existing grade changes. Some efficiency will be gained by formalizing other parking areas, and there's potential for shared use with the relocated school. For major events, shuttle service from the Lincoln Street park-and-ride is being considered as an alternative. **Q: When would these major changes at Civic actually happen?** A: This is a long-term plan requiring voter-approved bonding or levy. Phase 1 (north end with school relocation) might happen first, followed by the civic spine improvements, then the major parking garage and recreation facilities. The community recreation center study alone will take 12-14 months, and the mayor has indicated that expanded aquatics and community center facilities would definitely require voter approval. **Q: What about people who can't afford increased recreation fees?** A: The scholarship program continues, and the service category structure actually protects affordability. Community events and drop-in activities maintain very low recovery rates, so they'll remain affordable. Higher fees target individualized benefit programs typically used by people with higher incomes who can afford specialized equipment and training. The department is also exploring a recreation service fee system to keep individual program costs low. **Q: Why are the great horned owls leaving Cornwall Park?** A: Public commenters attributed this to increased bicycle traffic on natural trails, including organized cyclocross events during breeding season. The city has ordinances against biking on undeveloped trails, but enforcement and signage may need improvement. Staff committed to follow-up conversations about habitat protection measures. **Q: What about the student charging station proposal for Taylor Dock?** A: The BTC students presented a concept for solar-powered wireless phone charging integrated into interpretive panels designed for saltwater environments. This would tie into the existing solar panel system on the dock. Staff seemed receptive and will work with the students to develop the concept further, with potential implementation by the end of the year. **Q: How will the land swap with the school district work?** A: Negotiations are still ongoing between Parks and the school district about exact terms. The school wants to relocate Carl Kosher Elementary from its current location to the north end of Civic, which would free up space in the south for a community recreation center. The school prefers the Fraser Street area over Lakeway for traffic management and safety reasons. **Q: What's happening with the Park Stewards volunteer program?** A: Over 150 applications are currently waiting approval, and new signups are suspended due to staff shortages. This is frustrating given strong community interest in habitat restoration work. Budget constraints have limited the program despite public support for environmental stewardship activities mentioned in the Greenways levy. **Q: When will the new playgrounds be completed?** A: Bloedel Donovan's $367,600 replacement moved up to September 2025 construction, taking about 3 weeks with completion by September 30th due to Lake Whatcom watershed restrictions. Rock Hill Park's $264,000 playground equipment will be purchased in 2025 but installation may wait until 2026 depending on contractor availability. --- *Real Briefings Supplemental Content Master Prompt v1.1 | Real Housing Reform Initiative | realhousingreform.org*

## MODULE S1: STUDY GUIDE **Meeting ID:** BEL-PRB-2025-06-11 ### Meeting Overview The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on June 11, 2025, with major presentations on the Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan and a comprehensive cost recovery analysis for recreation programs. The board also received updates on playground improvements and a student proposal for charging stations. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Cost Recovery:** The percentage of program expenses that the city attempts to recoup through user fees, ranging from 0% for basic park access to 100%+ for private services. **Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan:** A comprehensive redesign proposal for Bellingham's most visited park facility, potentially including a land swap with the school district and major infrastructure changes. **Beneficiary of Service:** A framework used to determine who benefits from recreation programs and how much they should reasonably pay through fees versus taxpayer subsidy. **Service Categories:** Classifications of recreation programs based on public versus individual benefit, from "common good" (0% recovery) to "individualized benefit" (100% recovery). **Tuck-Under Parking:** A proposed parking structure built into existing grade changes to minimize visual impact while providing structured parking spaces. **Consortium Meetings:** Stakeholder meetings that included parents, athletes, and community groups to provide input on the Civic Complex redesign. **ADA Requirements:** Americans with Disabilities Act standards that new playground equipment must meet for accessibility, including wheelchair-accessible ramps and transfer stations. **Internal Charges (Interfund Expenses):** City overhead costs like IT, utilities, and administrative services that are allocated to the Parks Department budget, representing about 20% of recreation expenses. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Nicole Oliver | Parks and Recreation Director | | Bryce Merriman | Landscape Architect, MxMLA (Civic Master Plan consultant) | | Neil McCarthy | Lead Consultant, RMC Architects (Civic Master Plan) | | Melissa Moeller | Recreation Manager (Cost Recovery presentation) | | Jonathan DiPrizio | Parks Operations (Playground projects) | | Jonathan Diaz | BTC Student (Charging station proposal) | | Cody Reiss | BTC Student (Charging station proposal) | | Brian Armstrong | Public commenter (habitat restoration advocate) | | Joan | Public commenter (Cornwall Park wildlife advocate) | ### Background Context The Civic Athletic Complex is Bellingham's most visited park with over 72,000 visitors per month, but aging infrastructure and growing community needs have prompted a comprehensive master planning process. The facility serves competitive sports, recreation, and natural areas, but current layout feels disconnected and some facilities are reaching capacity. Simultaneously, the Parks Department faces budget pressures that have prompted the first-ever comprehensive cost recovery analysis to understand what taxpayers subsidize versus what users pay. The timing is significant because the school district is considering relocating Carl Kosher Elementary School, creating an opportunity for a potential land swap that could enable a long-desired community recreation center. However, major capital improvements would require voter-approved funding mechanisms. ### What Happened — The Short Version Consultants presented the preferred master plan concept for Civic Athletic Complex, featuring a north-south reorganization with the school relocated to the north end and major recreational facilities concentrated in the south. The plan includes controversial elements like losing 200 parking spaces but gaining tuck-under structured parking, new athletic fields on top of parking structures, and a pedestrian promenade along Orleans Street. The board showed enthusiasm but raised concerns about parking capacity. Staff then presented three years of work on cost recovery analysis, revealing that recreation programs currently operate at a 77% subsidy rate (taxpayers pay 77% of costs). The goal is to reach 50% subsidy within 3-5 years through strategic fee increases and program adjustments, while maintaining equity through scholarships and keeping basic park access free. Playground updates showed Bloedel Donovan's $367,600 replacement moving to 2025 construction, while Rock Hill Park's smaller project is planned for 2026. A student team proposed solar-powered phone charging stations for Taylor Dock. ### What to Watch Next - Final negotiations between Parks Department and school district on the land swap terms - Community recreation center market analysis and programming study over the next 12-14 months - City Council consideration of cost recovery policy and fee adjustment authority for Parks Department - Bloedel Donovan playground construction beginning in September 2025 ---

## MODULE S2: FLASH CARDS **Meeting ID:** BEL-PRB-2025-06-11 **Q:** What percentage of Parks Department general fund does the Recreation Division represent? **A:** About 40% of the department's general fund, making it a major budget consideration during difficult financial times. **Q:** How many visitors does Civic Athletic Complex receive monthly? **A:** Over 72,000 visitors per month, making it the most visited park in Bellingham's system—almost twice the combined visits to Lake Padden and Boulevard Parks. **Q:** What is the current subsidy rate for recreation programs? **A:** Recreation programs currently operate at a 77% subsidy rate, meaning taxpayers cover 77% of program costs while user fees cover only 23%. **Q:** How many parking spaces would be lost in the proposed Civic master plan? **A:** About 200 surface parking spaces would be eliminated, but replaced with tuck-under structured parking built into the grade changes. **Q:** What was the community response to the Civic master plan options? **A:** Over 1,000 responses were received—100+ at the in-person open house and 900+ through online surveys, with strong preference for the "park perimeter" option. **Q:** How much will the Bloedel Donovan playground replacement cost? **A:** $367,600 for equipment and installation, with construction now scheduled for 2025 instead of being tied to Rock Hill Park's timeline. **Q:** What is the cost recovery goal for "common good" services? **A:** 0% cost recovery—basic park access like walking trails at Cornwall Park will never have user fees. **Q:** What happened to Woodstock Farm rental fees? **A:** Daily rental fees increased to $4,000 per event, up from the previous range of $900-$1,200, as part of cost recovery improvements. **Q:** Who led the consortium meetings for Civic master planning? **A:** City staff assembled representatives from Carl Kosher Elementary, competitive swimmers, hockey players, baseball interests, football, and track and field. **Q:** What is the target subsidy rate for recreation programs? **A:** 50% subsidy rate within the next 3-5 years, down from the current 77%. **Q:** When will Bloedel Donovan playground construction occur? **A:** September 2025, with about 3 weeks of construction time and completion by September 30th due to Lake Whatcom watershed restrictions. **Q:** What controversial event was mentioned regarding Cornwall Park? **A:** A cyclocross event held during owl breeding season, which public commenters believe has contributed to the departure of great horned owls from the park. **Q:** How many Park Stewards Program applications are pending? **A:** Over 150 applications are waiting approval, but new signups are currently suspended due to staff shortages. **Q:** What percentage of recreation expenses are internal charges? **A:** 20% of expenses are internal charges like IT costs, sewage, utilities, and administrative overhead that Parks has no control over. **Q:** What is proposed for the Orleans Street corridor in the Civic plan? **A:** Converting one block of Orleans into a pedestrian promenade that serves as the "civic spine" and central gathering space for the entire complex. **Q:** How much will the Rock Hill Park playground cost? **A:** $264,000, with equipment purchased in 2025 but installation potentially delayed to 2026 depending on contractor availability. **Q:** What alternative name was suggested for Civic Athletic Complex? **A:** "Civic Athletic Eco-Campus" to better reflect the environmental aspects and create a more welcoming, campus-like identity. **Q:** What student project was proposed for Taylor Dock? **A:** Solar-powered wireless phone charging stations integrated into interpretive panels, designed for saltwater environments. **Q:** Where will Parks Board meetings be held in July and August? **A:** PSOC (Pacific Street Operations Center) Room 114, starting at 7:30 AM on Wednesday mornings due to renovation of current meeting space. **Q:** What was the $10 parking test at Civic? **A:** During a 2019 concert, $10 parking passes were required, which almost nobody purchased—13,000 people found alternative transportation instead. ---