The Phase One construction is underway and includes the following park improvements:
- Fun, age separated playground area that complies with playground safety standards and ADA
- A trail from Cherrywood Avenue to the central park area, a forest loop trail, and trail/emergency vehicle access from W Maplewood Avenue along the existing driveway
- Park furnishings such as benches, picnic tables, trash receptacles, dog waste station, drinking fountain, hose bib, gate, fence and other barriers, and lighting
- Park signage such as park name signs, wayfinding posts, and community kiosk
- Water and electrical services
- Site restoration wetland buffer mitigation, and plant maintenance
- West Maplewood Avenue bike and pedestrian improvements along the west side of W Maplewood, between McLeod Road and Alderwood Avenue include a striped bike lane, curb, gutter, sidewalk, driveway aprons, and drainage.
Phase One Plans
Park Location Map
Playground
Phase One Layout
Extent of W Maplewood Street Improvements
W Maplewood Street Layout
Funding
$634,600 2nd Quarter Real Estate Excise Tax
$1,834,000 Park Impact Fees
$400,000 Public Works Funding
Status
Phase One was designed in 2023 and 2024. Park construction began April 2025 and will continue through December 2025.
The work along West Maplewood is almost complete. Remaining tasks include bike lane marking in July, place guard railing in August, and grass seeding in September. Temporary disruptions to driveway access during construction is anticipated. Residents will be given 48-hour notice of disruption of access to driveways. Access to residents’ driveways will be maintained at the of every work day.
W Maplewood will remain open, but occasional lane closures may occur and flaggers will be present to direct traffic for maneuvering equipment.
24-hour emergency access, WTA, and school bus routes will remain unaffected.
Design Consultant Team
Lead Designer: Pacific Landscape Architecture, Bellingham WA
Storybrook Park Master Plan
The Council approved and adopted the Park Master Plan and official park name “Storybrook Park” on December 12, 2022.
Thank you to all those that provided input on the design and park name.
Park Master Plan Documents
References
Public Meetings
- Birchwood Neighborhood Association Meeting – March 8, 2022
- Birchwood International Market – 6/17/22
- Engage Bellingham Outreach – 6/10/22 – 6/26/22
- Birchwood Neighborhood Association Meeting – 9/27/22
- Parks and Recreation Advisory Board – 10/12/22
- Neighborhood Meeting – 10/22/22
- Parks and Recreation Advisory Board – 11/9/22
- City Council Public Hearing and Park Master Plan Adoption – 12/12/22
