Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

## 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 ---