### Meeting Overview The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on December 11, 2024, at 7:30 AM to discuss several key initiatives including the 2025 parks open space plan update, Storybrook Park art installation progress, seasonal dog leash area modifications, and civic athletic complex public engagement results. ### Key Terms and Concepts **PROS Plan:** Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan - a six-year comprehensive planning document that guides park system development and is required for state funding and park impact fees. **Percent for Arts:** City requirement that dedicates a percentage of certain public construction project budgets to public art installations. **Park Impact Fees:** Fees assessed on new development to help fund parks and recreation facilities needed to serve new residents. **Conservation Easement:** Legal agreement that restricts future development on specified land areas to protect environmental or recreational values permanently. **Stormwater Filtration Facility:** Green infrastructure that uses grass and soil to naturally filter runoff before it enters water bodies. **Level of Service:** Planning measurement that evaluates how well parks and recreation facilities serve community needs based on population and geographic access. **Functional Plan:** A detailed implementation document that operates separately from but coordinates with the comprehensive plan. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Brian | Board Chair | | Steve | Vice Chair | | Maggie Kriger | Board Member (final term) | | Peter Gill | Parks Department Staff | | Nicole | Parks and Recreation Director | | Taylor Webb | Planning and Community Development Department | | Jed | Board Member (Arts Commission liaison) | | Buddy Chapman | Public Commenter (Plastic Recycling) | | Dan Snap | Former Board Member/Whatcom Environmental Council | | Austin Skipper | School District Representative | ### Background Context The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is undertaking significant planning efforts in 2025, most notably updating the comprehensive Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan for the first time in six years. This update coincides with the city's comprehensive plan update, creating an opportunity to integrate parks planning with broader community growth strategies. The timing is critical as the plan serves as the foundation for park impact fees and state funding eligibility. Simultaneously, the city is advancing the civic athletic complex master planning, having completed public engagement that showed strong preference for relocating the school component to Fraser and Puget Streets. This complex planning effort involves coordination with Bellingham School District for a new elementary school while maintaining current facilities during transition. The board also addressed operational challenges at Bloedel Donovan Park, where dog off-leash activities combined with wet weather conditions have damaged turf that serves as a critical stormwater filtration system, requiring seasonal restrictions to protect water quality infrastructure. ### What Happened — The Short Version The board unanimously approved continuing Brian as chair and Steve as vice chair for 2025. Taylor Webb updated the board on Storybrook Park's art installation, announcing selection of artist team Polly Medis for a piece called "Stand in Reflection" featuring vertical wood posts with reflective elements, though final materials and siting remain under discussion. Peter Gill presented the comprehensive overview of the 2025 PROS Plan update process, explaining the shift to separate the plan from the comprehensive plan while coordinating timelines. The functional plan will serve as an appendix to the comprehensive plan, with goals and policies integrated into the main document. Staff proposed and the board approved seasonal restrictions at Bloedel Donovan Park's dog off-leash area from October 1 through May 31st, closing the lakefront turf area while maintaining beach access to protect the stormwater filtration system. Nicole provided extensive director's report updates including sportsplex lease modifications, civic athletic complex preferred alternative selection, and upcoming Northern Lights Park opening. ### What to Watch Next - April 2025: Board review of PROS Plan goals and policies chapter for comprehensive plan - January 2025: Expected recommendation of preferred alternative for civic athletic complex - January 2025: Northern Lights Park ribbon cutting and opening - Board member selection process to replace Maggie Kriger's expiring term ---