### Meeting Overview The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on October 8, 2025, with Steve Walker initially chairing as vice chair before Scott Pratschner was elected as the new chair for the remainder of 2025. The meeting focused on the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan update, Boulevard Park gas plant cleanup project, and three new Greenways trail projects. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan (PROS Plan):** The city's comprehensive planning document that guides park development, recreation programming, and open space acquisition through 2028. Currently being updated with extensive community input. **Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP):** Former industrial facility at Boulevard Park that operated in the early 1900s, burning coal to produce gas for Bellingham homes. The site requires environmental cleanup due to contamination that moved from the upper park down to Bellingham Bay. **Greenways Fund:** A voter-approved property tax levy that generates nearly $10 million annually for parks, trails, open space acquisition, and environmental stewardship. The fund has become increasingly important for supporting park operations. **Trail Facility Mapping:** High-level planning maps showing proposed trail connections between parks and neighborhoods. These are conceptual "point A to point B" connections, not detailed construction plans. **Capping in Place:** Environmental remediation technique where contaminated soil is covered with clean material rather than excavated, reducing risk of releasing contaminants during cleanup. **Critical Areas:** Environmentally sensitive lands including wetlands, steep slopes, and wildlife habitat that require special protection under city and state regulations. **RCO Grant:** Recreation and Conservation Office grants from Washington State that help fund park acquisitions and improvements. **Adaptive Programming:** Recreation services and equipment designed specifically for people with disabilities, including adults who need specialized equipment beyond what's typically provided for children. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Steve Walker | Vice Chair (chaired initial portion) | | Scott Pratschner | Newly elected Chair | | Peter Gill | Parks Planning Manager | | Gina Austin | Parks Project Engineer | | Paul Knippel | Greenways Project Manager | | Nicole Oliver | Parks & Recreation Director | | Lane Lund | Construction Manager | | Holly Miller | Board Member | | Jed Holmes | Board Member | | Asa Deane | Board Member | | Melissa Bianconi | Recreation Programs Coordinator | ### Background Context The city is facing a significant budget challenge, with a $10 million general fund gap requiring strategic cuts across departments. Parks & Recreation avoided major position losses by shifting more operations to the Greenways Fund, though six park ambassador positions will sunset at year's end. This financial pressure comes as the city manages growing park needs and an ambitious capital improvement program. The PROS Plan update represents the community's vision for the next five years of park and recreation development. With over 2,000 survey responses and multiple public meetings, the planning process has revealed strong community support for maintenance, indoor recreation facilities, trail connections, and equitable park distribution across neighborhoods. ### What Happened — The Short Version Steve Walker opened the meeting as vice chair due to technical difficulties, then Scott Pratschner was unanimously elected as the new board chair following former chair Brian's departure to the Netherlands. Peter Gill presented extensive community feedback from the PROS Plan process, showing strong support for maintenance, recreation facilities, and trail connectivity. Gina Austin updated the board on Boulevard Park's gas plant cleanup, explaining the capping strategy and park restoration plans including controversial tree placement. Paul Knippel presented three new trail projects for board approval: Bear Creek Open Space Trail, Middle Fork Spring Open Space Connector, and Jills Court Trail. Nicole Oliver outlined budget challenges and construction updates, including the opening of Lodell Donovan playground and ongoing Sunset Pond trail work. ### What to Watch Next - Fourth PROS Plan open house scheduled for November/early December - Parks Department budget presentation to City Council on October 27th - Greenways Advisory Board review of trail facility mapping expected soon - Civic Athletic Complex Master Plan nearing completion with community open house planned - Possible field trip to Sunset Pond construction on October 17th if enough board members are available ---