Greenways Program

Bellingham’s Greenways Program began in 1990 when a group of citizens organized to pass a property tax levy to raise funds for park and open space land acquisition and trail projects. The idea was to link Bellingham’s trails, ridgetops and shoreline corridors with a continuous series of parks, forests and greenbelts. Since 1990, three additional levies have been passed by voters, allowing the Parks & Recreation Department to acquire more properties and develop parks and trails. All projects using Greenways levy funds have been defined through the voter-approved levy initiatives and approved by the City Council, often based on opportunities and matching resources available to the City during the course of each levy.

In November 2023 Bellingham voted to continue acquiring, protecting, and stewarding the City’s greenways for another ten years with Greenways Levy 5. In addition to the continued legacy of trails, parks, and open space, this levy identifies funding for climate resiliency measures such as energy efficiency upgrades and electrification of park facilities, education, improved trails for alternative transportation, and urban forestry.

To learn more about the legacy of Greenways in Bellingham, and learn about the projects coming, take a look at the Greenways Storymap.

*Photo Credit: Megan Travis, Locust Beach*

The Greenways Advisory Committee is comprised of Bellingham residents appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council to advise Parks Department staff and the Council on the expenditure of Greenways funds. Greenways Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Click here for meeting schedules and materials

A new Greenways Strategic Plan was adopted on December 12, 2022. Follow this link for more information.

Greenways Program

Documents

Greenways Annual Reports

Resources