Home › Comp Plans › Bellingham › Parks and Recreation
Bellingham · BEL-CP-2025 · Pages 84-95

Parks and Recreation

The Parks and Recreation chapter guides the development, maintenance, and stewardship of Bellingham's extensive park and trail system over the next 20 years, emphasizing equitable access, inclusive services, and sustainability. It establishes goals for acquiring new parkland in underserved areas, conserving natural features, enhancing recreational programming, and maintaining an interconnected trail network. The chapter also emphasizes building partnerships with community organizations, adjacent jurisdictions, and tribal nations to enhance recreational opportunities for all residents.

Parks & Recreation Social Environment Governance
Key Commitments
All residents within one-half mile safe route of a developed park and trail (PR-1)
Goals (7 total)
  • PR-A: Equitable Facilities and Services – Provide high-quality park facilities and services that are accessible, inclusive and distributed equitably across Bellingham
  • PR-B: Well-Designed Environments – Create environments to support wellness and a sense of safety, connect people and nature and provide a sense of place
  • PR-C: Conservation and Resilience – Conserve nature and enhance climate resilience within the park system
  • PR-D: Recreational Opportunities – Develop innovative and diverse programs, services and strategies for improving recreational opportunities
  • PR-E: Interconnected Parks and Trails – Utilize trails to interconnect the city's parks and open spaces
  • PR-F: Effective and Sustainable System – Operate and maintain parks, trails and facilities effectively and sustainably
  • PR-G: Partnerships and Collaboration – Cultivate strong partnerships and community collaboration to enhance recreational opportunities
Stronger Policy Language (21 policies)
  • PR-1: Provide a system of parks, trails and open space so that all residents live within one-half mile safe route of a developed park and trail.
  • PR-17: Manage urban forests and street trees for human wellness and safety, to provide shade, improve wildlife habitat, sequester greenhouse gases and mitigate fire hazards.
  • PR-31: Establish clear maintenance standards for park assets and evaluate and report progress towards meeting standards and improving conditions.
  • PR-35: Steward and protect the park system from invasive species, illegal activity and repair and restore damage where needed.
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (20 policies)
  • PR-4: Provide recreational programs and cultural events that celebrate the diversity of the community.
  • PR-28: Explore trail surface alternatives that balance the natural character of Bellingham's trail system with accessibility requirements and sustainable development practices.
  • PR-33: Explore options to improve enforcement of park rules while ensuring all park users feel welcome.
  • PR-39: Explore partnerships that expand services or leverage support for specific projects.

See What Actually Happened

Browse meeting briefings related to parks and recreation.

View Related Briefings →