Parks, Recreation & Open Space Plan Update

Every six years, the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office requires cities to update their Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plans (PROS Plan) to be eligible for grants. The City of Bellingham’s last major update was completed in 2026. 

The comprehensive update of the PROS Plan began in 2025 and was completed in two phases. Phase One included an update of the goals and policies within the Bellingham Plan. Phase Two is a functional plan that assesses the existing parks and recreation system and provides a framework for future growth.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board serves as the primary steering committee for PROS Plan updates. You can find presentations from throughout the latest PROS Plan update process on the Advisory Board Meeting Materials page.

What is the PROS Plan?

The Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan (PROS Plan) serves as a guiding document for the preservation and expansion of the park, recreation, and open space system as the community grows. It includes an inventory of existing facilities, level of service and gap analysis, and management considerations. The plan guides the work plan and funding priorities of the Parks & Recreation Department.

The PROS Plan is coordinated and integrated with the Bellingham Plan, which provides goals, policies, and population forecasting.

Current, approved PROS Plan

• 2026 PROS Plan summary  
• 2026 Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan (pdf) 
• Appendices 
  • A-1. 2025 PROS Community Survey Synthesis (pdf) 
  • A-2. Open Houses and Focus Groups (pdf) 
  • B-1. Park Facilities Inventory (pdf) 
  • B-2. Bellingham Public Schools Athletic Amenities (pdf) 
  • C. Greenways Trails Planning Summary (pdf) 
  • D. Conditions Assessment (pdf) 

2025 process and documents

• Public Participation Plan
• Existing Goals and Policies, 2020
• City Council Intro Slides (February 10, 2025)
• Open House Slides (February 13 & 18, 2025)
• Open House Input Summary (February 13 & 18, 2025)

Previous planning processes

2023 Planning Process

• 2023 October 16, City Council Public Hearing
• PRO Plan – February Draft with redlines (PDF)​
• Appendices A-F (PDF)​
• 2023 August 17, Planning Commission Public Hearing Presentation
• 2023 August 17, Planning Commission Packet​

2020 Planning Process

1. ​Staff Workshop June 6, 2019
   •  Summary Results (PDF)
2. PRAB/GAC Workshop #1, June 4, 2019
   • Survey Results (PDF)
   • Draft Principles, Goals and Objectives (PDF)​
3. PRAB/GAC Workshop #2,  July 11, 2019
   • Draft Recommended Trails North Bellingham (PDF)
   • Draft Recommended Trails South Bellingham (PDF)
4. Public Survey Results (PDF) 
5. Full text survey results (PDF)
6. Presentation to PRAB on​ Key Recommendations, September 11, 2019 (PDF)
7. Public Open House Presentation, September 19, 2019 (PDF)​
8. Working Drafts:
   • Chapter 1: Introduction, Principles, Goals and Objectives (PDF)
   • Chapter 2: Community Setting (PDF)
   • Chapter 3: Existing Facilities (PDF)
   • Chapter 5: Recommendations (PDF)
     
     Draft PRO Plan October 2019 (PDF)
     
9. MNAC Presentation October 16, 2019 (PDF)​
10. City Counc​il Status Report November 4, 2019 ​