# Bellingham Parks Board Tackles Greenways Spending, Facility Fees, and Future Vision ## Meeting Overview The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board convened on November 12, 2025, in what turned out to be one of their most substantive meetings of the year. With a packed agenda spanning budget concerns, facility upgrades, fee structures, and long-term planning, the evening session highlighted both the achievements and challenges facing the city's parks system. Board Chair Scott Pratschner led his first full meeting in the role, guiding discussion through eight major agenda items while managing hybrid participation from board members and the public. The meeting drew pointed public testimony about Greenways levy spending and figure skating access, setting the tone for an evening that would touch on funding, equity, and the community's evolving recreational needs. ## Public Voices on Greenways and Ice Access The meeting opened with passionate public comment that framed many of the evening's discussions. Brian Armstrong, a regular advocate for responsible Greenways spending, delivered a pointed critique of how the city is using voter-approved levy funds. "I believe the heart of the Greenways levy is to provide trail connectivity and habitat restoration," Armstrong told the board. "So to see that we have Greenways funds going toward a skate park and turf and field replacement seems to be an unfortunate use of the funds." Armstrong's frustration centered on what he sees as "wordsmithing" to justify spending Greenways money on facilities rather than its intended purposes. He particularly criticized the fact that daylighting work for a creek in the new Bakerview park won't be funded due to REIT dollars being diverted, while turf replacement at Civic Field and skate park construction move forward with Greenways money. "We're gonna be funding turf at Civic Field, we're gonna be funding a skate park and ball fields, but we can't seem to fund a project for a new park that's gonna actually be for habitat restoration," Armstrong said, his voice reflecting the disappointment many environmental advocates feel. Armstrong also pressed for expansion of the volunteer stewardship program, noting that staff capacity to process applications remains a bottleneck despite strong public interest in hands-on conservation work. "We have so many people in the public ready to engage, ready to become involved," he said. "It's really, really frustrating to see that this program seems to be like an afterthought." His closing warning carried political weight: "I worry that in the future, when we go to ask for Greenway 6 in 7 or some odd years, if the voting public's gonna be able to approve that as readily as they have in the past, considering how we're starting to spend the money." Julia Brim from the Bellingham Figure Skating Club followed with a more targeted plea for equitable access at the Sportsplex. Speaking on behalf of skaters who compete at state and national levels, Brim described how "recent scheduling decisions at the Sportsplex have made it increasingly difficult for our club and skaters to maintain training standards and plan events." Her requests were straightforward: more equitable ice access, formal representation in Sportsplex planning decisions, and better communication about schedule changes. "We aren't interested in competing with hockey or the other sports," she emphasized. "We just want to all work together as a group and collaborate so everyone benefits." ## Sportsplex and Golf Course Contract Updates The board received updates on two major recreational facility agreements that will shape operations for years to come. Recreation Manager Melissa Bianconi outlined the Sportsplex lease renewal, explaining that the facility's owners have abandoned plans to purchase the building and will instead continue leasing while the city takes greater responsibility for exterior maintenance. "They are going to focus on the interior, and the city has since taken on a greater responsibility in the maintenance of the exterior, what we're calling the envelope of the building," Bianconi explained. The arrangement continues for about three years until the current bond obligation ends, at which point the city will decide whether to continue with Whatcom Sports and Recreation or seek new operators through a competitive process. The golf course management presented a more complex decision. After receiving three proposals for the expired Premier Troon contract, a review committee including board member Jed Holmes selected Premier Troon to continue managing Lake Padden Golf Course for another five years with possible extensions. "Premier has proven they can do an excellent job managing the course," staff reported. "They raised records in total revenue and rounds played, and they have a renewed commitment to revitalize our food and beverage program." Board member Jeannie Gilbert pressed on environmental stewardship: "Are they going to continue to try to improve the runoff and issues as far as inputs from the golf course into Lake Padden?" Staff confirmed the company's commitment to water conservation and quality testing that feeds into a broader Lake Padden water budget study being conducted by Public Works. Holly Miller, a regular golfer, advocated for continuing the course's $5 youth program. "Golf is becoming an aging sport," she noted. "There's not that many younger people joining up. It tends to be for the older people. So it also made it really economical for a lot of the teens of our community to go out there." What began as an informational item became a formal recommendation when Skip Williams suggested the board vote to support the contract award. "That way, it gives it some momentum to the Council, too," Williams said. The board unanimously approved recommending the contract renewal. ## Galbraith Mountain Bike Management Gets Major Updates Lane Potter, Parks Planning Manager, outlined significant changes coming to the management agreement between the city and the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition for Galbraith Mountain. The current agreement expires at year-end, prompting a comprehensive rewrite that addresses new property types and funding challenges. The biggest change involves incorporating Lake Whatcom Watershed Protection properties into the agreement alongside the existing recreational easement lands. "Those have slightly different terms and uses and regulations, trail standards, slightly different than the recreational easement that's owned by Galbraith Tree Farms," Potter explained. The watershed protection areas require more aggressive trail decommissioning, limited trail mileage, and different construction standards to minimize soil disturbance and phosphorus impacts on Lake Whatcom. "We're making sure that we're meeting the goals of the Watershed Protection Program through use and management on Galbraith," Potter said. Perhaps most significantly, the new agreement will commit both parties to exploring long-term funding mechanisms for trail maintenance. Potter acknowledged that the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition "is struggling to keep up with some of the larger, when there's really big logging years, and they're having to rebuild trails, or there's major wind events, and having to do trail maintenance." The five-year agreement with possible extensions recognizes the substantial value WMBC provides to the city while acknowledging the need for sustainable funding as the recreational asset ages. Board member Steve Walker, drawing on his experience as a former property steward, confirmed that the Whatcom Land Trust remains appropriately involved in oversight of conservation easement properties. Holly Miller raised concerns about public feedback on the agreement, suggesting the board should have "some eyes on, like, what is the membership saying." Walker suggested WMBC's own member surveys might provide that insight, and Potter indicated the new agreement would be ready for board review in December. ## Big Rock Garden and Rock Hill Park Get Major Upgrades Landscape Architect Jonathan Schultz presented detailed updates on two significant park improvement projects that showcase both the city's commitment to maintaining historic assets and serving underserved neighborhoods. The Big Rock Garden project addresses decades of deferred maintenance on the Asian-inspired garden's aging infrastructure. Schultz explained that the current irrigation system "goes back to the George Drake days" and "predates the 1995 irrigation plan." With volunteers in their 60s, 70s, and 80s dragging hoses around the garden, replacement has become urgent. The $275,000 project will abandon the existing underground system in favor of a primarily surface-mounted drip irrigation system designed to protect the mature Douglas firs and Western Red Cedars that define the garden. "There are a lot of large, mature Douglas firs and Western Red Cedars, and collection of really valuable trees in there, so minimizing digging is the thing to do," Schultz explained. The irrigation overhaul involves careful prioritization of garden areas based on plant value and water needs. Schultz showed color-coded maps identifying magenta areas as highest priority for irrigation, blue as medium priority, and green as lowest priority, with buff areas requiring no changes. Fence replacement presents equal challenges, with Schultz conducting detailed assessments of 209 fence posts to determine that only 33 need replacement. The new design concentrates roofed Asian-style fencing around the main entrance while converting other sections to simpler designs for cost savings. "The roof fence is typical of an Asian-style fencing, and that was the original conceit for this project, and how George Drake had envisioned it," Schultz explained. "It creates a backdrop, an interesting backdrop, and it announces the entry into the site." Holly Miller questioned the roofed fence logic and gate configuration, leading to discussion about maintaining the garden's cultural authenticity while managing costs and deer control. When Scott Pratschner suggested bamboo fencing as an alternative, Schultz noted that while materials might be inexpensive, "the craft that it takes to carry it off" would make labor costs prohibitive. The Rock Hill Park playground replacement represents a more dramatic transformation. The existing 476-square-foot playground will be replaced with a 2,300-square-foot accessible facility designed for ages 5-12, including a prominent 10-foot climbing tower, dual slides, and comprehensive climbing features. "I think it would be an incredible... going from 476 to 2,300 square feet is a big step, and the neighbors are really excited about it," Schultz said. The project required vacating a portion of Iron Street to create adequate space, a process nearing completion through City Council. The new playground will occupy a trapezoidal area in the upper part of the park, taking advantage of the site's natural topography. As an innovative addition, the project proposes keeping the existing playground's concrete header as a foundation for additional climbing equipment that Park Operations could install later. "So you would actually end up with a higher, with an upper playground and a lower playground, and so the neighbors are really excited about that, too," Schultz explained. The design includes wheelchair accessibility, new benches, bike racks, drinking fountains, and maintained signage. Holly Miller, drawing on recent playground experience with toddlers, warned that children might ignore the designed entrance: "They'll totally ignore that entrance, so I wouldn't deceive yourself that they'll have any interest in that little entrance." But she praised the overall design quality. Steve Walker appreciated the project's neighborhood impact: "I think it's great that that York District, the kids are gonna have a pretty extensive playground there, and they won't have to necessarily cross Lakeway to get over to Harriet Spinel Park for that kind of activity." When questions arose about whether board approval was needed, Potter clarified that a building permit was required for fence sections over six feet tall. The board unanimously approved the necessary permit authorization. ## Fee Increases Aim for Revenue and Impact Management Parks Operations Manager Karen Schmidt and Melissa Bianconi presented a comprehensive fee structure overhaul designed to both increase revenue and better manage commercial use impacts in city parks. The proposal addressed two main areas: modest increases to existing facility rental fees and creation of a new commercial use permit system. Facility fee increases have been minimal for two years, with only minor adjustments made in the previous year. "It's been two years since we've increased fees to our shelters, our pavilions," Schmidt explained. "Knowing that this goes into our general fund, wanting to just do slight increases to our revenues." The new commercial use permit system represents a more significant policy shift. Designed to capture businesses and organizations that collect money while using parks for classes, camps, or other commercial activities, the system aims to offset operational impacts while managing scheduling conflicts. "These are groups that are businesses or other entities that are collecting money, then come to our parks to use our parks for their recreational amenities," Schmidt explained. Examples include yoga instructors, day camps, after-school programs, and educational outfits like Wild Whatcom that use parks for nature classes. The process involves annual permits issued after online applications, with vendors submitting attendance reports for invoicing at year-end. Fees are structured at $1 per person per day for nonprofits and $2 per person per day for for-profit entities, with a $75 application fee and expedited processing options. Bianconi emphasized the system's reasonableness and consistency with other jurisdictions: "They're very reasonable costs, and they're also consistent with a lot of other local municipalities, with what they charge in their park systems, including the Whatcom County parks and state parks." Steve Walker offered a practical example: "Over in what used to be the Fairhaven Rose Garden, which is now this fenced-in area that has some fruit trees... the Wild Whatcom uses that for nature education classes. It's basically like daycare, five days a week." Holly Miller initially struggled to understand how the system differed from previous cost recovery work, leading to clarification that this targets outside entities rather than city-run programs. Once clarified, she supported the approach while noting the city currently recovers only about 30% of recreation program costs. Scott Pratschner worried about potential revenue loss for small users, but Bianconi explained that while some groups might pay less, others would pay significantly more, creating net positive revenue. More importantly, the system provides better understanding of park usage patterns and helps identify damage sources. "Sometimes it's little things that add up over time, like camps that come in and they clean their arts and crafts in the sinks at the pavilions, and the next thing we know, operations is going in to deal with a bunch of glue and glitter clogs," Bianconi noted. Jed Holmes suggested rounding fees to even numbers for easier administration and public acceptance, while board member Darren Belt acknowledged the impact on his recreation programs but accepted fee increases as "the cost of doing business." The proposal also included new fees for Civic Parking Lot use and road closure impacts, plus authority to increase rates up to 5% annually without returning to City Council for approval – similar to the golf course's existing authority. Skip Williams supported the administrative efficiency: "It makes a tremendous amount of sense. Now, if you went over the ceiling for some reason or some need, that's a different story, but it just makes sense. It's much more efficient." The board unanimously recommended approval, clearing the way for December City Council consideration and January implementation. ## Cemetery Fees Expand for Changing Burial Practices Cemetery Sexton Richard Griffin presented new fee structures addressing evolving burial practices and memorial options at Bayview Cemetery. The proposals covered memorial garden plots, memorial benches, and the increasingly popular "terra mains" – a new form of human composting. The memorial garden creates 90 spaces in the cemetery's northeast corner for markers without remains, priced comparably to cremation plots with resident and non-resident tiers. Memorial benches receive codified pricing reflecting the full cost of pad construction, bench installation, and ongoing maintenance. The terra mains fees represent the newest addition to burial options. Griffin explained the organic reduction process where "off-site, a firm, the decedent will undergo what's called organic reduction... which essentially, they're at a facility in a structure that basically uses soil and heat and creates fertilizer or a compost product." Unlike traditional remains, terra mains don't require state transit permits and can be scattered in the cemetery's forested Section 15 or used as backfill in traditional graves. The fee structure accounts for the varying amounts of final product, from 1-6 bags to 19-25 bags, with corresponding labor costs. "Really, what our customers are looking for, who want terra mains, they want to interact with soil biology and in the forest with the moss and the duff and all of those processes going on, the mycelium," Griffin explained. "That's what they're looking for, for the most part." Holly Miller asked about plantings in the scatter garden, learning it functions as a natural forest ecosystem. Steve Walker inquired about family participation in scattering, with Griffin explaining flexible options for personal ceremonies with staff support and specialized tools. The scatter garden already serves cremated remains and features an obsidian pillar for memorial engravings. Griffin noted the designation exists formally and has operated for about five years, providing families with natural burial options increasingly sought by environmentally conscious residents. The board unanimously approved codifying all three fee structures, recognizing both the administrative need for clear pricing and the community's evolving burial preferences. ## Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan Takes Shape Planning Manager Peter Austin presented the most comprehensive overview yet of the emerging Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan, outlining how community input is being transformed into specific projects and actions for the next two decades. The plan employs a sophisticated prioritization system measuring proposed projects against seven established goals: Play, Connections, Equity, Conservation, Design, System Resilience, and Stewardship. Each project receives qualitative scoring for goal alignment plus quantitative location-based scoring using GIS data for population density, service area expansion, and social vulnerability indices. "This is an example of how we take our projects or actions on the left-hand side of the table and we can then evaluate how well that action, in this case, compares against those goals that we set out," Austin explained, walking through examples like invasive species control and ADA signage improvements. The location-based scoring considers whether projects expand the city's 10-minute walk level of service, serve high-population areas, and address equity through the Social Vulnerability Index. The index combines census data on socioeconomic status, household composition and disabilities, racial and ethnic minority status, and housing type and transportation. Austin presented highlights from extensive project lists covering parks, recreation, and operations. Parks actions include periodically reviewing surplus lands for housing and industrial development, improving ADA signage, updating decades-old park policies with board input, seeking community gardens in underserved areas, and adding restrooms based on demand and staffing. Specific park projects include developing Covered State Park in the Waterfront District, replacing Happy Valley Park's playground, completing master plans for Birchview and Van Wyke parks, developing Salish Landing Park, and coordinating with the Port of Bellingham on waterfront district parks including Waypoint Park Phase 2. Recreation actions focus on cost recovery implementation, Bellingham School District partnership on Carl Crozier redevelopment, Civic Athletic Complex master plan completion, and improved program distribution to local colleges. The plan identifies rectangular sports fields needing redevelopment for soccer, lacrosse, and cricket. Operations improvements include expanding the volunteer program, addressing failing street trees, hiring park rangers, installing lighting for winter safety at major parks, increasing maintenance staffing for new capital projects, and biennial park condition assessments. Maintenance projects address Lake Padden bathhouse improvements, Fairhaven Park pavilion assessments, Lake Padden dock repairs, Van Wyke House utility connections, winterized restrooms at Roosevelt and Elizabeth parks, and trail resurfacing for Old Village and Huntoon trails. Austin emphasized the plan's community foundation: "We've gone to picnics, we've gone to classrooms, we've been to gurdwaras, we've done a lot with the focus groups, a lot of online stuff as well, so we've gotten a ton of feedback." When Pratschner asked about "unicorn projects" hitting all seven goals, Austin promised to investigate for the December report. Walker questioned color coding that suggested ranking, learning the tables weren't yet prioritized. Austin explained final prioritization will incorporate public input from a November 19 open house at Lodell Donovan plus written board comments due November 24. The process aims for a final prioritized plan ready for December board review and community release. ## Trail Network Vision Expands Connectivity Austin concluded with updated trail mapping showing an ambitious vision for expanded pedestrian and bicycle connectivity throughout Bellingham. The map distinguishes between existing trails (solid green), proposed additions from previous plans (dashed green), new proposed trails (orange), and eliminated or completed trails (red X marks). The mapping serves multiple purposes: guiding private development trail requirements, coordinating with Public Works on bicycle and pedestrian routes, targeting future Greenways acquisitions, and prioritizing internal trail development projects. Public input has identified priority trail connections including Squalicum Creek Park to the beach, Samish Crest trails, Boulevard Park connections, Salish Landing trails, downtown waterfront access, and Woodstock Farm to Oraya Park. Trail prioritization uses the same location-based scoring as other projects, measuring service area expansion, population served, and social vulnerability index impacts. Austin showed maps demonstrating how potential trails would extend the current quarter-mile level of service and serve different population densities. Holly Miller identified a missing connection at Lake Padden, where pedestrians currently must navigate around barriers after crossing from Lake Padden Open Space. "We really should just make that final little bit of connection. It really is there, so it would be an easy add-on," she noted. Austin acknowledged the gap and agreed to include it in mapping updates, noting it was identified in the 2023 recreational assessment. The exchange highlighted how board members' field knowledge enhances technical planning. Miller concluded the discussion with enthusiastic support: "I'm really impressed. I mean, I think it's so exciting, the amount of trails that's going to come in. I just want to give huge kudos, so to you guys and your staff, it's been amazing to see." ## Looking Forward The November meeting demonstrated the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board's evolving role in balancing immediate operational needs with long-term vision. From addressing public concerns about Greenways spending to approving fee increases that will fund enhanced services, the board navigated complex policy terrain while maintaining focus on community benefit. The comprehensive plan process represents the most systematic approach to parks planning in recent memory, incorporating sophisticated prioritization methods with extensive community engagement. As Austin noted, the challenge now involves translating community aspirations into implementable projects within available resources. December's meeting promises final plan presentation with full prioritization, WMBC agreement review, and continued refinement of the vision that will guide Bellingham's parks and recreation system through the next two decades. The board's unanimous support for fee increases and facility improvements suggests confidence in the department's direction, even as public testimony reminds them that community trust requires careful stewardship of voter-approved funds. With winter approaching and major projects advancing toward construction, the board's work reflects both the technical complexity of modern parks management and the enduring importance of accessible green space in urban life. As Armstrong's testimony reminded them, the choices made today will determine not just what gets built, but whether the community remains willing to invest in parks and recreation for future generations.

### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on November 12, 2025, to review facility fee increases, cemetery fee structures, the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) plan update, and several project updates. The meeting featured significant public comment on Greenways funding allocation and figure skating facility access concerns. ### Key Terms and Concepts **PROS Plan:** Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan - the comprehensive planning document that guides the city's parks and recreation development and priorities over multiple years. **Greenways Levy:** Voter-approved funding specifically designated for trail connectivity and habitat restoration, currently being used for some non-traditional purposes like skate parks and turf replacement. **Social Vulnerability Index:** A census-based scoring system that combines socioeconomic status, household composition, disabilities, racial/ethnic minority status, and housing/transportation data to identify underserved communities for equitable resource allocation. **Cost Recovery:** The percentage of program costs that are recovered through user fees and charges, with the Recreation Division currently at about 30% recovery. **Terra Mains:** A new burial option involving organic reduction (composting) of human remains off-site, creating a soil-like product for cemetery use. **WMBC License Agreement:** The management contract between the city and Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition for maintaining trails at Galbraith Mountain. **Commercial Use Permit:** A new permitting system for businesses and organizations that charge fees to use city parks for classes, camps, or other commercial activities. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Scott Pratschner | Board Chair | | Melissa Bianconi | Parks & Recreation Staff | | Lane Potter | Parks & Recreation Staff | | Jonathan Schultz | Landscape Architect | | Richard Griffin | Park Facilities Manager/Cemetery Sexton | | Peter Dellecker | Parks & Recreation Staff | | Brian Armstrong | Public Commenter (Greenways concerns) | | Julia Brim | Bellingham Figure Skating Club | ### Background Context The meeting addressed ongoing tensions around Greenways funding allocation, with public concern that voter-approved money for trails and habitat restoration is being diverted to traditional park facilities like skate parks and sports fields. This reflects broader budget challenges as the city seeks to balance public demands for various recreational facilities while honoring the original intent of dedicated funding sources. The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space plan update represents a major planning effort to guide the city's recreation priorities for years to come, including new prioritization criteria that considers equity and social vulnerability. This planning process involves extensive community engagement and will influence capital project selection and resource allocation decisions. ### What Happened — The Short Version The board approved facility fee increases including a new commercial use permit system for businesses using parks. They approved codified cemetery fees including new terra mains (composted remains) services. Staff presented updates on Big Rock Garden fence and irrigation repairs, and the exciting new Rock Hill Park playground expansion from 476 to over 2,300 square feet. The PROS plan presentation revealed the framework for prioritizing future projects using both community goals and equity considerations, with written feedback requested by November 24th. ### What to Watch Next - PROS plan public meeting November 19th at Lodell Donovan Elementary, 5:30 PM - Final PROS plan with prioritized projects coming to the board in December - City Council consideration of fee increases and contract awards in December - Written comments on PROS projects and trail maps due November 24th ---

**Q:** What is the current cost recovery rate for the Recreation Division? **A:** About 30% of costs are recovered through fees, with a target of reaching 50% recovery. **Q:** How much will the proposed facility fee increases generate annually? **A:** Approximately $30,000 additional revenue from about 1,500-2,000 permits per year. **Q:** What are terra mains? **A:** Composted human remains created through organic reduction off-site, used as an alternative burial option at the cemetery. **Q:** How large will the new Rock Hill Park playground be? **A:** Over 2,300 square feet, expanding from the current 476 square feet. **Q:** What is the proposed fee for nonprofit organizations under the commercial use permit? **A:** $1 per person per day for nonprofit organizations using parks commercially. **Q:** When is the PROS plan public meeting scheduled? **A:** November 19th at Lodell Donovan Elementary School at 5:30 PM. **Q:** What is the current WMBC license agreement term? **A:** 5 years with options for 5-year extensions at the end of each term. **Q:** How much is budgeted for Big Rock Garden improvements? **A:** $275,000 total, with $37,000 for design and $207,000 for construction. **Q:** What percentage annual fee increase authority is being requested? **A:** Up to 5% annually without requiring Council approval each time. **Q:** When is construction planned to begin at Rock Hill Park? **A:** Site work anticipated to start late April 2026, weather dependent. **Q:** What is the application fee for commercial use permits? **A:** $75 for regular processing, with an expedited option available. **Q:** How many fence posts were assessed at Big Rock Garden? **A:** 209 total fence posts, with only 33 needing replacement. **Q:** What is the Social Vulnerability Index used for? **A:** Prioritizing projects based on equity considerations using census demographics data. **Q:** When does the current Sportsplex lease end? **A:** In approximately 3 years when their bond obligation is paid off. **Q:** What is the deadline for PROS plan written feedback? **A:** November 24th for inclusion in the December public draft. ---