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Bellingham · BEL-CP-2016 · Pages 179-248

Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan

The Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PRO) Plan inventories and evaluates Bellingham's 3,400+ acres of parks, open space, and 65 miles of trails, and projects facility needs through 2036 based on community input and level-of-service standards. It establishes goals and objectives organized around the City Council's Legacies, recommends approximately $104 million in capital improvements, and sets a priority that all residents live within a half-mile walk of a park and trail. The plan must be updated every six years to maintain eligibility for state recreation grants.

Parks & Recreation Environment Social Economy Safety

“Only 4 of 58 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan policies (7%) include a concrete, measurable commitment.” Real Record SAY vs DO analysis · Bellingham Comprehensive Plan

About this analysis

Real Record applies the SAY vs DO accountability framework to every chapter of every Washington comprehensive plan we publish. Each policy in the chapter is read individually and scored into one of four buckets:

  • Measurable — the policy names a specific target, deadline, dollar amount, or action that can be verified later.
  • Strong — binding action language (“shall,” “will adopt,” “require”) without a measurable threshold.
  • Aspirational — encouraging or supportive language (“encourage,” “support,” “consider”) with no enforcement.
  • Monitor only — policies that commit to tracking or reporting but not to action.

The accountability score shown in the sidebar is the share of policies in the chapter that landed in the “Measurable” bucket. A score of 0–19 (red) indicates most policies use aspirational language without concrete accountability; 20–49 (orange) is mixed; 50 or higher (green) means the chapter is dominated by measurable commitments.

The underlying text comes from the official adopted comprehensive plan published by the Bellingham planning department. Scoring is performed by Real Record analysts using a structured rubric; the raw policy text and bucket assignments are archived in the Real Record civic data warehouse.

Read the full methodology, sources, and rubric at Real Record · About.

What the Plan Promises
Formal targets adopted in the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan.
All residents within 1/2 mile walk of a park and trail; add 203 acres of parks/open space/trails by 2036; total recommended capital investment ~$104M (2015 dollars); existing park system value $5,243/capita; proposed 2036 standard $6,065/capita; 2,776 acres of parkland; 75 miles of trails existing
Goals (12 total)
  • Goal 5.1.1: Provide a high quality parks, recreation and open space system for a diversity of age and interest groups.
  • Goal 5.2.1: Provide an interconnected system of accessible multi-use trails and greenway corridors that offer diverse, healthy outdoor experiences.
  • Goal 5.3.1: Provide high quality recreational programs and services throughout the community for people of all ages, ethnicities, and abilities.
  • Goal 5.3.2: Design and develop facilities that are sustainable, accessible, safe, and easy to maintain.
  • Goal 5.4.1: Contribute to a healthy environment in the selection of new properties, and the development and maintenance of park facilities.
  • Goal 5.4.2: Provide a high quality, diversified open space system that protects and enhances significant environmental resources.
  • Goal 5.5.1: Meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations.
  • Goal 5.6.1: Create effective and efficient methods of acquiring, developing, operating and maintaining facilities and programs.
  • Goal 5.6.2: Develop, staff, train, and support a professional Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Goal 5.7.1: Protect our drinking water source by appropriately protecting, restoring and managing park lands in the Lake Whatcom Watershed.
  • Goal 5.7.2: Promote water conservation at all park facilities.
  • Goal 5.8.1: Contribute to making Bellingham a safe and prepared community.
Stronger Policy Language (26 policies in this chapter)
  • Objective 5.1.1.A.a: Provide a system of neighborhood and community parks so that all residents live within one half mile safe walking distance of a developed park.
  • Objective 5.2.1.A.a: Provide an interconnected system of trails so that all residents are within a one half mile safe walk of a trail.
  • Objective 5.7.1.A: Mitigate public demand for recreation in the watershed with appropriate protection measures through design and maintenance. Limit access where impacts to water quality may occur.
  • Objective 5.6.1.E: Create effective and efficient methods of acquiring, developing, operating, and maintaining park and recreational facilities that accurately distributes costs and benefits — including the application of impact fees where new developments impact level-of-service standards.
Show all 26 stronger policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 22 stronger policies are catalogued in the Real Record civic data warehouse and indexed by policy number against the adopted plan text. See how policies are scored →
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (28 policies in this chapter)
  • Objective 5.1.1.A.k: Develop new or improved multi-use facilities to increase flexibility of use for new activities such as pickle ball, disc golf, lacrosse, cricket, rugby as demonstrated by community need.
  • Objective 5.2.1.F.a: Develop trails and greenway corridors that protect, rehabilitate and maintain natural resources, including plant and animal habitats.
  • Objective 5.4.1.D: Conserve natural and consumable resources by using environmentally friendly products and practices.
  • Objective 5.5.1.H: Maintain a world class park system that attracts tourism and benefits the local economy.
Show all 28 aspirational / monitoring policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 24 policies in this bucket use language like “encourage,” “support,” “consider,” or “monitor” — phrasing that does not create an enforceable commitment. See how policies are scored →

SAY vs DISCUSS: Did this come up in meetings?

Real Record has not yet indexed any Bellingham briefings tagged to this chapter’s topics. Browse all Bellingham council and planning briefings to see related discussions in context.

View Bellingham Briefings →

SAY vs DO: Where the Money Goes

Departments related to Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan in Bellingham — what the city actually funds, year over year.

Budget analysis for this chapter is in progress. Real Record has mapped 3 Bellingham departments to this chapter, but the FY2006 / FY2025 line-item totals are not yet loaded into our civic data warehouse. In the meantime, browse the city-wide budget comparison on the index page.