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Real Briefings

Greenways Advisory Committee

BEL-GRN-2024-09-05 September 05, 2024 Committee Meeting City of Bellingham
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The September 2024 Greenways Advisory Committee meeting featured major land acquisition announcements, comprehensive discussions about trail standards reform, community garden mapping analysis, and support for a regional trail connectivity grant. The meeting highlighted the committee's evolution from reactive oversight to proactive policy development through successful subcommittee work over the past year. Staff announced two significant property acquisitions: the 116-acre Squalicum Forties transfer from the Department of Natural Resources (pending governor approval) and City Council approval of the Robinson donation comprising 6 acres adjacent to Arroyo Park and 1.3 acres near Connelly Creek Nature Area. These acquisitions underscore Bellingham's expanding open space portfolio and the corresponding need for public access infrastructure. The centerpiece discussion focused on developing alternative trail standards to complement Bellingham's existing 8-10 foot wide limestone trails that cost $300-400 per linear foot. Staff presented research on natural trail standards used by other jurisdictions, driven by the reality that current standards make trail development prohibitively expensive. With 33 miles of planned trail segments and limited funding, the committee explored when lower-impact, narrower trails might be appropriate for open space areas with lower expected usage. The Community Gardens subcommittee presented comprehensive neighborhood analysis identifying priority areas for future gardens based on multifamily housing density, food insecurity indicators, and lack of existing garden access. This data-driven approach exemplifies the committee's maturing analytical capabilities. In executive session, the committee voted to offer appraised value for an easement on an unspecified property and directed staff to explore latecomers agreements for cost recovery, demonstrating the committee's role in strategic property acquisition decisions.

**Trail Standards Discussion:** No formal action taken. Staff presentation on developing alternative trail standards to complement existing 8-10 foot limestone trails costing $300-400 per linear foot. Committee provided input on when natural trail standards would be appropriate, emphasizing master planning approaches and usage-based categorization. **Whatcom County Grant Support Letter:** Approved 8-0-0 to send letter supporting…

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**Trail Standards Reform:** Staff presented compelling case for developing natural trail standards to complement Bellingham's expensive limestone trail standard. Current projects like Middle Fork Spring Creek Trail connecting Cordata Park to Stewart Road cost $1.9 million for 1,200-1,300 feet due to boardwalks, bridges, and full-width construction. Committee members emphasized need for usage-based standards, with David Stalheim advocating for park-by-park master planning to determine appropriate trail types. Key considerations included ADA accessibility requirements, mountain bike compatibility, emergency access needs, and long-term maintenance costs. Committee discussed Portland's citizen-led trail development model where residents apply for permits and build/maintain trails with city oversight. Staff indicated this would require significant setup but represents viable approach for neighborhood connections. **Community Gardens Strategy:** Kelsey presented data-d…
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**Max (Whatcom County Public Works):** Presented Marine Drive trail grant opportunity, emphasizing equity components for Marietta Alderwood neighborhood and partnerships with Lummi Nation and Port of Bellingham. County adding multimodal trail development to department responsibilities with new position being hired. **Peter (Parks Staff):** Advocated for flexible trail standards based on expected usage and topographic constraints. Emphasized cost concerns with current limestone standard becoming unsustainable for expanding trail network. **David Stalheim:** Supported master planning approach for trail standards rather than one-size-fits-all. Proposed budget subcommittee for proactive City Council engagement. Working on Sandwich Crest Trail master plan that would benefit from standardized trail categories. **John:** Strongly advocated for city t…
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**Peter, on trail costs:** "3 to 400 per linear foot. And that depends on you know that that we're that we're talking about, you know, encumbered properties or wetlands and creeks, permitting them things that all those things that can make. So they're they're not. It's not cheap, right?" **John, on community gardens leadership:** "Personally, I think the city of I think the city needs to take the lead on community gardens as they have in Portland. Eugene, even Blaine assume the responsibility…
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**Trail Standards Development:** Staff will continue researching alternative trail standards for committee consideration. No specific timeline provided, but discussion suggests ongoing work through fall/winter. **Property Field Trips:** Staff planning visits to new DNR Squalicum Forties property and Robinson donation sites once acquisitions finalized and weather permits. **Grant Application:** Whatcom County submitting Reconnecting Communities grant application by end of September with committ…

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**Land Inventory Expanded:** City gained pathway to 116 acres (Squalicum Forties) plus 7.3 acres (Robinson donation), significantly expanding open space portfolio requiring access planning. **Trail Development Philosophy:** Committee initiated shift from single trail standard to usage-based standards hierarchy, potentially enabling more trail construction within budget constraints. **County Partnership:** Whatcom County formally committed to multimodal trail development with dedicated staff position and regional grant p…
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# Greenways Advisory Committee Charts Course for More Inclusive Trail Standards and Community Gardens The September 2024 Greenways Advisory Committee meeting showcased a forward-thinking group grappling with fundamental questions about how Bellingham should build trails in an era of tight budgets and expanding public land holdings. Over nearly three hours, committee members engaged in substantive discussions about trail standards, community garden equity, and a significant property acquisition decision. ## Meeting Overview The committee convened on September 5th with eight members present, including newcomer Zack Cook attending his first meeting. Chair Neil presided over an agenda that blended technical policy discussions with broader questions of community access and environmental stewardship. The meeting highlighted the tension between the city's traditional high-quality trail standards and the practical need to provide public access to recently acquired open space properties. Peter from the Parks Department opened with exciting news about two major property acquisitions that will significantly expand Bellingham's greenway system. The Department of Natural Resources had approved the transfer of 116 acres known as the Squalicum Forties—three 40-acre parcels along Mount Baker Highway between the highway and Squalicum Creek. Additionally, the Robinson donation, approved by City Council on August 26th, will add 6 acres adjacent to Arroyo Park and another 1.3 acres near Connelly Creek in Happy Valley. ## The Trail Standards Dilemma The heart of the meeting centered on a presentation by Peter and Paul about Bellingham's trail construction standards and the need for alternatives. The city's current standard—8 to 10 feet wide packed limestone trails with extensive clearing—costs $300-400 per linear foot an…
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### Meeting Overview The Bellingham Greenways Advisory Committee met in September 2024 to discuss trail standards, community garden expansion, and property acquisitions. The committee explored developing lower-impact trail standards to supplement the city's current expensive multi-use trail requirements, reviewed community garden placement recommendations, and approved an easement purchase offer in executive session. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Greenways Advisory Committee:** A city committee that advises on parks, trails, and open space acquisitions and development in Bellingham. **Trail Standard:** Specifications for trail construction including width, materials, grade, and accessibility features that determine cost and environmental impact. **Multi-use Trail:** Wide trails (8-10 feet) built with packed limestone designed for bikes, pedestrians, strollers, and maintenance vehicles. **Natural/Low-Impact Trail:** Narrower trails using native materials with minimal clearing, designed for lighter use and sensitive environmental areas. **Community Garden:** Shared gardening spaces with individual plots that residents can lease for growing food and building community connections. **Easement:** A legal right to use someone else's property for a specific purpose, such as trail access. **ADA Accessibility:** Design standards ensuring people with disabilities can access and use public facilities. **Latecomers Agreement:** A mechanism allowing the city to recover costs from future property developers who benefit from infrastructure already paid for. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Neil (Chair) | Greenways Advisory Committee Chair | | Peter | City Parks & Recreation Staff | | Paul | City Parks & Recreation Staff | | David Stalheim | Committee Member | | Jacob Stewart | Committee Member | | Kelsey | Committee Member, Community Gardens Subcommittee | | Annalise Burns | Public Works Natural Resources Division | | Laine Potter | City Staff | | Max | Whatcom County Public Works | ### Background Context Bellingham faces a significant challenge in expanding its trail network due to high construction costs. The city's current trail standard requires packed limestone surfaces 8-10 feet wide costing $300-400 per linear foot, making comprehensive…
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Parks & Recreation Land Use & Planning Transportation & Infrastructure Government Operations City Council Greenways Advisory Committee Lummi Nation Parks Department Port Bellingham Us Department Transportation Whatcom County Annalise Burns David Stalheim Jacob Stewart John Community Gardens Kate Committee Member Kelsey Community Gardens Laine Potter Max Whatcom County Neil Committee Chair Peter Parks Staff Scott Committee Member Zack Cook Place Cordata Park Place Marine Drive Place Robinson Donation Place Squalicum Forties Accessibility Budget Finance Community Gardens Environmental Protection Equity Inclusion Grant Funding Land Acquisition Land Use Policy Parks Recreation Public Participation Regional Coordination Trail Standards Transportation Policy