A public hearing on a resolution proposing a fifth Greenways levy is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 10, 2023, during the Bellingham City Council regular meeting. The Council is seeking feedback about a fifth Greenways levy, which is proposed to raise approximately $8.6 million the first year and more than $86 million for the 10-year life of the levy, to continue acquiring, developing and maintaining parks, park facilities, trails and open spaces.
If the resolution is approved by the City Council, the proposed Greenways measure would be placed for voter consideration on the November 7, 2023, general election ballot. The ballot language is due to the Whatcom County Auditor by August 1, 2023.
Our Greenways legacy
With great foresight, Bellingham voters originally established Greenways funding in 1990, with subsequent levies approved by voters in 1997, 2006 and 2016.
By the end of 2023, the Greenways funding program – now in place for over three decades – will have brought in more than $102 million, purchased 3,200 acres including 2,400 acres of recreational trails on Galbraith Mountain, created almost 40 miles of trails, and funded extensive park and trail development projects throughout the City. In addition to financing property purchases and development, Greenways levies have funded maintenance and stewardship throughout Bellingham’s park system, including trail resurfacing, bridge replacements, re-roofing projects, volunteer work parties and community gardens.
“The Greenways program is one of the City’s most important legacies. These dedicated investments are integral to quality of life for Bellingham residents, all made possible by the strong support of the people of Bellingham through voter-approved levies,” Bellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood said. “Greenways enabled us to create our community’s extensive and cherished park and trail system. This dedicated funding has also allowed us to achieve equitable, City-wide, regionally balanced access to outdoor amenities, preserve greenspace and wildlife habitat, and helped us maintain and improve them over time.”
Early Greenways objectives were trail connectivity, protecting riparian and wildlife habitat, and preserving green space around the City. The first decades of acquisitions included gems such as the Padden Creek Gorge, Northridge Park, Arroyo Park expansion, Woodstock Farm, and numerous trail corridors and habitat tracts along Whatcom, Padden, Squalicum, and Connelly creeks, the Railroad Trail and portions of the South Bay Trail. More recently, the Greenways fund has secured access to 2,100 acres of multi-use trails on Galbraith Mountain, development of Cordata Park, Hundred Acre Wood, Waypoint Park, and 50 acres of open space and trails on Queen Mountain.
Proposed fifth Greenways levy
The proposed resolution calls for a fifth levy to continue funding this program for another ten years, 2024 through 2033. The proposal establishes a rate of $.41/$1,000 of assessed property value for 10 years, anticipated to raise more than $86 million over the 10-year life of the levy, to acquire, develop and maintain parks, trails and open space, and adds new initiatives to help improve our park system’s climate resiliency.
A community-based Greenways V Levy Committee drafted the resolution to send a fifth Greenways property tax levy to the voters. Strategic priorities for Greenways and a road map for a fifth levy were established through the 2022-2026 Greenways Strategic Plan approved by the City Council in December 2022.
Fleetwood said these dedicated investments remain essential to our growing community. Among the priority projects included in the proposed fifth Greenways levy are the Salish Landing waterfront park, public access to the Pier at Little Squalicum Park, trail connections from Whatcom Falls Park to Lake Padden via Samish Crest, a recreational loop trail around Sunset Pond Park, trailhead improvements to Galbraith Mountain, and improved tree management throughout the City. Proposed climate resiliency efforts include energy efficiency upgrades, urban forestry management, invasive species removal, expanded neighborhood trail development, and additional restoration and community garden projects.
More information about the proposed levy and the Greenways program, including a story map detailing its history, current status and future plans, is available on the City’s Greenways webpage.
July 10 public hearing
The City Council discussed the draft Greenways V Levy resolution and set the July 10 public hearing at its June 26 Parks and Recreation Committee meeting. Visit meetings.cob.org to view the video recording and materials of the June 26 meeting.
Community members may participate in the July 10 public hearing in person or remotely. Meeting materials and other details are available at meetings.cob.org. Public hearing testimony is also accepted online and by contacting the City Council Office at (360) 778-8200 or ccmail@cob.org.
