Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board met on December 10, 2025, to review golf course fee increases, discuss the draft PROS Plan, and elect officers. The meeting addressed operational matters including budget proposals and strategic planning for the city's parks system. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan (PROS Plan):** The overarching 20-year strategic document that guides development and maintenance of Bellingham's park, recreation and open space system. Updated every six years to maintain state grant eligibility. **Premier Golf/Troon:** The private company that has operated Lake Padden Golf Course as the city's management partner since 2018, responsible for day-to-day operations under a management agreement with the city. **Greenways Advisory Committee:** A citizen committee that provides public input on expenditure of Greenways levy funds, focusing on property acquisition and trail development consistent with the PROS Plan. **Golf Enterprise Fund:** The dedicated city fund that manages Lake Padden Golf Course finances, showing cash balances that have grown from around $250,000 in 2021 to over $650,000 in 2025. **Urban Growth Area (UGA):** The designated area around Bellingham where urban development is planned to occur, currently containing about 106,000 people and expected to grow to 135,000 by 2045. **Service Level Standards:** Metrics used to measure park system performance, such as the goal that all residents live within one-half mile safe route of a developed park and trail. **Trackman Technology:** Advanced golf equipment technology being considered for the Lake Padden driving range to enhance the golfing experience and generate additional revenue. **Capital Maintenance:** Major repairs and improvements to existing park infrastructure, as opposed to routine maintenance, funded through dedicated budget allocations. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Scott Pratschner | PRAB Chair | | Steve Janiszewski | Park Operations Manager | | Peter Gill | Staff member presenting PROS Plan | | Melissa Bianconi | Staff member | | Steve Walker | PRAB member, Arts Commission representative | | Ray Dellecker | PRAB member, Greenways Advisory Committee representative | | Jed Holmes | PRAB member, Lake Padden Golfers Committee representative | ### Background Context Lake Padden Golf Course has experienced remarkable growth under Premier Golf's management, with golf rounds increasing from previous years to an estimated 44,000 rounds in 2025, setting revenue records from 2023-2025. The course's financial success has built substantial reserves in the Golf Enterprise Fund, growing from $276,724 in January 2021 to $654,563 by December 2025. The proposed fee increase exceeds the 3% annual limit previously approved by City Council, requiring new approval. This reflects broader inflationary pressures affecting municipal operations, including minimum wage increases and utility costs. The Parks Department is simultaneously updating its comprehensive 20-year PROS Plan, which requires community input and regular updates to maintain eligibility for state recreation grants worth millions of dollars. Bellingham's population is expected to grow by about 29,000 people over the next 20 years, creating pressure on the parks system to expand services while maintaining quality. The city's park system currently receives high satisfaction ratings from residents, with 85% rating parks and trails as excellent or good. ### What Happened — The Short Version The meeting covered three main items. First, staff presented a proposal to increase Lake Padden Golf Course greens fees by 5% for 2026, which exceeds the previously approved 3% annual increase limit. The golf course has been highly successful financially, setting revenue records and building substantial cash reserves. The fee increase would help cover rising operational costs including minimum wage increases and utility charges. Second, staff presented the draft PROS Plan for board review. This is the city's 20-year strategic plan for parks, recreation, and open space that must be updated every six years to maintain state grant eligibility. The plan includes population projections, service standards, and prioritized projects based on community input. Third, the board needed to conduct its annual election of officers, though the specific results of this election are not detailed in the available materials. ### What to Watch Next • The PRAB's formal recommendation on the golf fee increase will go to City Council for final approval • The PROS Plan will continue through the public review process before final adoption by City Council • Implementation of any approved fee increases would begin in 2026 • Board officer elections results and any impact on future meeting leadership ---