### Meeting Overview The City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Committee met on May 5, 2025, to receive the annual report on the 2024 Greenways Program and Park Impact Fee Fund. The presentation highlighted accomplishments, revenue, expenditures, and future projects funded through these critical park funding mechanisms. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Greenways Levy:** A voter-approved property tax that funds park acquisition, development, maintenance, and climate resiliency projects in Bellingham. The current "Levy 5" is a 10-year levy that began in 2024. **Park Impact Fees (PIF):** Fees collected from new residential development to fund park improvements and acquisitions in the neighborhoods where development occurs. Must be spent within 10 years of collection. **Greenways Advisory Committee (GAC):** A nine-member volunteer committee that provides citizen recommendations on spending Greenways funds and advocates for strategic plan priorities. **Climate Resiliency Spending:** A new category in Levy 5 focused on reducing emissions and increasing climate resilience of city park properties and facilities. **Stewardship Program:** City program that coordinates volunteers, park ambassadors, and community gardens throughout the park system. **PROS Plan:** Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan that guides long-term planning for Bellingham's park system. **Levy 4 Carryover:** Approximately $12.4 million in unspent funds from the previous Greenways levy that carried forward to be spent under previous guidelines. **Neighborhood Balances:** Tracking system for park impact fees that ensures money collected from development in specific neighborhoods gets spent on park improvements in those same areas. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Edwin H. "Skip" Williams | Parks & Recreation Committee Chair, Fourth Ward Council Member | | Hannah Stone | Committee Member, First Ward Council Member | | Jace Cotton | Committee Member, At-Large Council Member | | Lisa Anderson | Second Ward Council Member (non-committee guest) | | Nicole Oliver | Parks & Recreation Director | | Lane Potter | Parks Design & Development Manager | | Ray Delacour | Liaison between Greenways Advisory Committee and Parks & Recreation Advisory Board | ### Background Context Bellingham's park system is primarily funded through two mechanisms: the Greenways Levy and Park Impact Fees. The Greenways Levy is a voter-approved property tax that has been renewed multiple times since the 1990s, with the current "Levy 5" representing a 10-year commitment that began in 2024. This levy funds everything from land acquisition to trail maintenance to climate resiliency projects. Park Impact Fees are collected from new residential development and must be spent in the neighborhoods where the development occurs, ensuring that growing areas receive proportional park improvements. These fees have specific legal requirements, including a 10-year spending timeline and restrictions on what they can fund. The city has an active citizen advisory structure, with the Greenways Advisory Committee providing recommendations on spending priorities and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board providing broader policy guidance. This citizen involvement helps ensure that park investments reflect community needs and priorities. ### What Happened — The Short Version Lane Potter presented a comprehensive report on 2024 accomplishments for both funding streams. The Greenways Levy brought in $9.3 million in 2024, with an additional $12.4 million carried over from the previous levy. Major accomplishments included acquiring 127 acres across four properties (including generous donations from the Robinson family), completing the pier at Little Squalicum Park, advancing design on multiple trail projects, and launching a new community garden at King Mountain. Park Impact Fees brought in $1.4 million in 2024, slightly below the $1.8 million projection. Major expenditures included completing Cordata Community Park phase two, advancing planning at Baker View Neighborhood Park, and installing a new Portland loo restroom at Waypoint Park. Council members asked questions about property acquisition strategies, staffing allocations, and ensuring equitable distribution of park improvements across neighborhoods, particularly highlighting the Seaholm neighborhood's large accumulated balance. ### What to Watch Next - Construction of the Sunset Pond Loop Trail beginning in June 2025 - Updates to the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan (PROS Plan) - Potential pocket park development in underserved neighborhoods like Seaholm - Hundred Acre Wood Phase 1 improvements moving into construction - Continued focus on climate resiliency projects and energy efficiency upgrades ---