Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Page 1 of 78
Hovander Homestead Park TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. INTRODUCTION...... 1
2. COMMUNITY PROFILE ...... 2
3. INVENTORY...... 7
Regional Park Inventory
Park Operations
Wildlife & Critical Habitat Conservation
4. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES...... 25
5. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT...... 40
6. DEMAND AND NEED ANALYSIS...... 46
7. ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION...... 58 APPENDIX
Proposed Trail Corridors Map Other Parks & Recreation Facilities Map Park Regions Map Park Maps DNR List of Rare Plants in Whatcom County Lake Whatcom Fish and Wildlife Washington State Species of Concern List 2013 Comprehensive Plan Survey Beckwith Consulting Group Controlled Survey Results Beckwith Consulting Group Web Survey Survey Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Offi ce and Park Survey Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Offi ce and Park Survey Comments Kulshan Environmental Services Comments
Whatcom County Parks & Recreation
WHATCOM COUNTY EXECUTIVE Jack Louws, Executive WHATCOM COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Administration Michael McFarlane, Director Rodney Lamb, Design & Development Supervisor Darla Smith, Administrative Assistant Bette Bode, Accountant Pat Fisher, Clerk III Daisy Hansen, Clerk III
Lily Point Marine Park Park Maintenance Tony Idczak, Maintenance / Construction Supervisor III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mike Barnes, Outside Maintenance WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL Coordinator Barbara Brenner Michael Chiavario, Repair Maintenance III Rud Browne Tom Chisholm, Repair Maintenance III Barry Buchanan Randy Corris, Outside Maitenance Sam Crawford Coordinator Pete Kremen Lawson Curtis, Repair Maintenance III Ken Mann Rick Jacoby, Repair Maintenance III Carl Weimer Stephen Kollmar, Repair Maintenance III George Chue, Maintenance Worker II WHATCOM PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION Parks Janet Boyhan Rob Boleak, Park Ranger Kenneth Kiesner Dennis Conner, Lead Park Ranger Jeffrey Margolis Steve LeCocq, Park Ranger Gordon Rogers Erika Miranda, Lead Park Ranger Richard C. Sturgill Ben VanBuskirk, Lead Park Ranger Theresa Sygitowicz Jerry Warren, Lead Park Ranger Paul Woodcock Beckwith Consulting Group Kulshan Environmental Services
REFERENCES
Planning documents used to inform the 2014 PROS Update
Whatcom County Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan 2010 1/11 Preserving a Way of Life- A Natural Heritage Plan for Whatcom County 6/19/91 Whatcom County Comprehensive Park and Recreation Open Space Plan 8/13/91 Whatcom County Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 4/08 Outdoor Recreation in Washington (2013 SCORP draft) 3/13 Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan (updated) 2/13 Whatcom County Trail Plan (revised) 1/75 Chuckanut Mountain Trails Master Plan 6/96
Whatcom County Parks & Recreation This plan works together with and is informed by other planning documents including the Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan, Whatcom County 6-year and 20-year Capital Improvement Plans, the 2008 Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, trails and park master plans and the County’s Natural Heritage Plan. PLANNING PROCESS The planning process used in this document encompassed:
a) review of historical plans and data b) public participation and outreach, c) an assessment of existing facilities and lands and, d) a review of current goals, objectives and policies
Hovander Homestead Park Additional input to inform the plan was received from the Whatcom County Parks & Recreation 1. INTRODUCTION Commission, a seven member advisory committee, Whatcom County Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Department Parks & Recreation Staff, park districts and Mission Statement: Enrich the quality of life for the agencies, community partners and stakeholders, community and preserve the natural and cultural and the general public from participation in heritage of the County through the provision of park planning initiatives and daily contacts with outstanding parks, trails, open space, natural areas, departmental staff. recreational activities and senior services. This plan relies upon the 2008 Comprehensive Whatcom County residents take great pride in their Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan and should parks and recreation facilities. The Community has be considered an update of that plan. Parks & supported a strong parks and recreation system Recreation staff managed the planning process providing fi nancial support and countless hours of and compiled the planning document. Kulshan volunteer help. Environmental Services was contracted to facilitate the community charrettes and the Beckwith The Whatcom County Parks system provides Consulting Group provided the community and residents with recreational opportunities and online surveys and analysis. places to maintain healthy active life styles. They play an important role in the social life of the RCO REQUIRED PLANNING community providing places for the community ELEMENTS to come together for events, family gatherings, and memories. Parks also provide signifi cant Goals and objectives page 25 economic benefi ts through tourism and retail sales, Inventory page 7 particularly in the rural segments of the County. Public Involvement page 40 Parks help preserve the heritage, culture and Demand and need analysis page 46 history of the county through the preservation of Capital Improvement program page 54 historical sites and provide numerous environmental Plan adoption page 58 benefi ts protecting critical habitats and natural processes. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN This plan is prepared as requirement by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Offi ce to retain eligibility for certain funding programs. This document also guides the County and Parks & Recreation Department in addressing the future needs of the community and progress towards achieving the mission of the Department.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Page 1 of 74 Introduction Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
2. COMMUNITY PROFILE There are more than 5,000 Native American sites on record in the state, only a few of which have Whatcom County is known for its high quality of life been professionally evaluated. Generally, sites are and close proximity to an abundance of recreational located at river conjunctions within valleys and opportunities. Mountain biking, hiking, camping, along the shoreline. Known sites have been grouped golfi ng, boating, kayaking, fi shing and hunting are into three rather broad time periods: all just minutes away for most residents. Within the county are lakes, islands, rivers, mountains, • early sites - approximately 12,000-8,000 years beaches and forests. old, • middle-period - sites between 8,000-3,000 TOPOGRAPHY years old, and Whatcom County is the northernmost county • late-period - sites about 3,000 years old. in the state of Washington. Whatcom County contains 2,107 square miles that border on British Native American tribes Columbia, Canada to the north, Okanogan County Many Native American tribes inhabit the Pacifi c to the east, Skagit County to the south, and the Northwest region with diverse life-styles, languages Strait of Georgia to the west. Much of the county is and traditions. The people who lived in the Puget mountainous and part of the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Lowlands depended largely on seafood—salmon National Forest and North Cascades National Park. and shellfi sh, supplemented by berries, roots, and Fifty miles east of Bellingham lies the highest peak game. The tribes built substantial cedar plank in the North Cascade mountain range, Mount Baker houses, often big enough to house a number of (10,778 feet), an ice-clad volcano. Providing the families clustered in villages. Cedar trees also state’s longest ski season and world’s greatest provided transport, in the form of dugout canoes. recorded snowfall in one season 1,140 inches. The local Native American population is estimated There are two inhabited islands, Lummi and Eliza in to have declined by nearly 90% as a result of Whatcom County. smallpox and other epidemics after European settlement. A deep-water port, Bellingham’s Squalicum Harbor is the second largest harbor in Puget Sound. In Whatcom County, the traditional territories of the Bellingham is located 90 miles north of Seattle Semiahmoo, Lummi, Nooksack and Samish people and 23 miles south of the Canadian border. A center on the marine resources of the Strait of trip to Point Roberts, the county’s most northerly Georgia and Northern Puget Sound. These groups community, requires a crossing through Canada. developed reef-net fi shing for salmon, and profi cient Interstate- 5 provides a major transportation link food-preservation techniques. They share language to Vancouver BC, 60 miles north of Bellingham and and cultural characteristics with the Saanich First Seattle, 89 miles to the south. Nation on Vancouver Island. The Nooksack Indian Tribe traditional homeland is located along the main HISTORY stem and three forks of the Nooksack River. Salmon from spring and fall fi sh runs has been an important Archaeological sites part of life for the Nooksack for thousands of years, The arrival of people in the Pacifi c Northwest centered on the artery of the river. cannot be dated with great precision. However, archaeological investigations at the Manis mastodon Treaties with the US Government limited the site near Sequim on the Olympic Peninsula indicate tribes’ territorial extent and established rights to humans were in the area as early as 12,000 years traditional resources. The tribes remain an integral ago. Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Community Profi le Page 2 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 part of the region, with important roles in natural Sehome - was developed in 1858 around a vein resource management and restoration, as well as of coal that angled into the bay at the bottom of contributions to the cultural and economic fabric of Sehome Hill. Coal tailings were dumped at the the community. base of the hill and into the bay until the coal vein ran out in 1878. In 1893, Sehome resident and European exploration Washington poet laureate Ella Higginson persuaded The fi rst European exploration of Puget Sound was offi cials to locate a state normal school (teachers’ accomplished in 1792 by British explorer Captain college) on the hill above the abandoned mine. The George Vancouver. More detailed mapping was school, which evolved into Western Washington accomplished by Lieutenant Charles Wilkes in 1841. University, occupies the former site of the Higginson Religious missions and a nominal military presence home. were established after the 1846 Oregon Treaty established the international boundary. Whatcom - the earliest settlement, had a neighboring community develop across the creek In 1841, Wilkes sailed two ships for the Oregon after 1880 when 25 Kansas families signed an Country entering the Strait of Juan de Fuca and agreement with local promoters, bought stock anchoring in Port Discovery. The expedition in a development company, and arrived to found explored the entire Puget Sound region. Washington Colony. They built a wharf, sawmill, and a small town on Whatcom Creek. In 1884, City development confusions over land ownership resulted in the Bellingham - In 1852, Henry Roeder and Russell dissolution of the colony in legal challenges. The Peabody arrived from California and started the Whatcom business district continued to develop on Roeder-Peabody-Page sawmill on Whatcom Creek pilings and plank roads along the waterfront from Waterway to process virgin red cedar and Douglas Prospect to Broadway Streets. By the 1890s, the fi r. railroads arrived and built wharves far out into the bay to service shipping lines. By 1854, the towns of Whatcom, Sehome, Bellingham, and Fairhaven were settled around Bellingham - the smallest of the bay’s settlements, Bellingham Bay; the Washington Territorial began along the base of Sehome Hill at the Legislature established Whatcom County; and Pattle coal claim. Although Bellingham proved designated the residence of RV Peabody, near the to be inconsequential and transitory, the other mouth of Whatcom Creek, as the county seat. communities chose the name when they decided to Whatcom was derived from a Lummi Indian term overcome rivalry and merge into a single town. meaning “noisy, rumbling waters” – a reference to Whatcom Falls. In 1903, the towns of Whatcom, Sehome, Bellingham, and Fairhaven were consolidated In 1857, gold was discovered on the Fraser River into the City of Bellingham. Tideland areas were creating an instant stampede through the Whatcom fi lled and the Great Northern Railway constructed Creek settlement then north to Sumas to the gold passenger and freight depots in the Whatcom fi elds. On a peak day, 7 steamers and 13 square- "Old Town" business district to service the rapidly rigged sailing ships anchored at the mouth of the expanding city. Whatcom Creek Waterway. Soon after, the British government required all miners to clear customs As Bellingham continued to expand, the business in Victoria then travel by steamboat directly up the district core gradually moved south onto the hill Fraser River, bypassing the Bellingham area. overlooking Whatcom Creek and Bellingham Bay. Development in the Whatcom "Old Town" business Following the gold rush, the four towns emerged district waned and the district became a specialized around Bellingham Bay separated from each other waterfront extension of the new downtown and civic by dense forest. center.
Fairhaven - was developed in earnest in the 1880s Blaine - the Semi-ah-moo Indians occupied in expectation of becoming the western terminus Semiahmoo Spit in pre-settlement times subject of the Great Northern Railway. The central business to constant warfare with the Haida and other district housed 135 brick and commercial block tribes from Vancouver Island and further north. buildings including retail stores and fi ne mansions. Blaine was initiated in 1857 by survey crews who The Panic of 1893 dried up investments in camped on the Spit while performing fi eldwork to Fairhaven. establish the international boundary between the United States and Britain. Some merchants set up
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Community Profi le Page 3 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 stores on the mainland to furnish supplies to the Ferndale - in the 1870s, Ferndale was known as surveyors, providing the nucleus for the town’s the “lower crossing” or “Jam” due to the massive development. logjams that would block the Nooksack River from upriver travel. Early settlers logged the land and A year after the survey began gold was discovered built sawmills. Agriculture was established by Hokan on the Fraser River in British Columbia, initiating Hovander, a self-taught architect who migrated with a rush of miners through the area, some of whom his family from Sweden. Hovander’s homestead and settled on the Spit. early antique farm equipment is part of the county’s Hovander Park. In 1891 a cannery on the Spit processed 36,000 cases of sockeye salmon in a single season Ferndale’s isolation ended with the construction of attracting the attention of the Alaska Packers the fi rst highway north in 1884 followed in 1894 by Association, who bought the cannery and enlarged the construction of the Great Northern Railway to it to process the catch from local and northern Vancouver, British Columbia. waters. Several cannery buildings are currently included in the county park holdings at Semiahmoo Point Roberts - the US and Canada agreed in Spit. 1846 to extend the 49th parallel as the boundary between the two countries. The agreement was Sumas - the city boomed as a border way station made to resolve the 13-year standoff between on the Whatcom Trail during the 1858 Fraser River the United States and Canada over the San Juan gold rush, and then continued as a railroad town on Islands. In 1861 the Joint Boundary Survey the Northern Pacifi c and Milwaukee Road railroad Commission erected boundary marker Number One, lines thereafter. a 19-foot obelisk imported from Scotland, at the western end of the mainland boundary. The obelisk East of Sumas, a grassy strip is located between is located in the county’s Monument Park at the two Boundary Roads, the only physical demarcation corner of Marine Drive and Roosevelt Way. of the border. The strip is the remnant of the original 40 foot wide swath that surveyors cleared In 1858 the steamship Commodore anchored in the 1800s to identify the boundary. Iron posts off Point Roberts to set ashore California miners and rock cairns were located within the cleared strip headed for the Fraser River goldfi elds. A few miners to identify the exact location of the boundary line. lingered to sell whiskey. Although the United States classifi ed the Point as a military reservation, Lynden - Phoebe and Holden Judson settled squatters raised cattle and operated fi sh traps on in Lynden in 1871 after paddling upriver by the Point in the years following. dugout canoe to establish a preemption claim. Logjams blocked the river until 1881, preventing Lummi Island - fi sh traps were set west of Lummi sternwheelers from traveling upriver to Lynden. Island in the 1900s and supplied 3 large canneries Early settlers logged the land and built sawmills staffed by hundreds of Chinese, Native American, allowing later settlers to begin farming the rich soil and white workers. Flat-bottomed reef net barges in the 1880s. Lynden attracted immigrants and by are still stored on the beach at Legoe Bay when not the 1890s was the largest Dutch settlement in the in use during the Fraser River state. salmon runs.
Everson and Nooksack - these river town communities were established in 1858 when the Whatcom Trail became the route to the Fraser River goldfi elds. The trail crossed the Nooksack River near Everson at a site called the “upper crossing”.
Deming - the Nooksack Indians occupied the North Fork of the Nooksack River and frequently camped in the Deming area during salmon season. Logging and sawmills replaced the Indian encampments during the 1860s, followed by steamboat landings – Deming being as far upriver as the sternwheelers could navigate, and later by early railroad lines.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Community Profi le Page 4 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Whatcom County Population by City Top Ten Employers St. Joseph Hospital 2,751 2005 2010 2012 Western Washington University 2,196 Whatcom 180,800 201,140 205,262 Bellingham School District 1,278 Unincorporated 79,848 87,085 89,683 City of Bellingham 840 Whatcom County 838 Incorporated 100,952 114,055 115,579 BP (Cherry Point Refi nery) 800 Bellingham 72,320 80,885 81,360 Sodexho Services 726 Blaine 4,240 4,695 4,760 Ferndale School District 685 Heath Techna 610 Everson 2,080 2,486 2,520 Fred Meyer Grocery 578 Ferndale 9,750 11,415 11,830 Lynden 10,480 11,951 12,340 Nooksack 970 1,342 1,370 Sumas 1,112 1,311 1,399
Higher Education Whatcom Community College - Part of the state’s community college system, serving an average of 7,800 students per quarter.
Bellingham Technical College - One of fi ve technical colleges in Washington State, serving approximately 4,000 students per quarter.
Northwest Indian College-Only accredited tribal college in the states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho with 584 students.
Western Washington University – Washington State’s third largest university, serving over 14,800 students with graduate and under graduate programs.
Climate 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 July January Annual High 73 46 59 Low 54 35 44.1 Average Rainfall (Inches) 36 Average Snowfall (Inches) 8.6 Days Sunny or Partly Sunny 164
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Community Profi le Page 5 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Population Growth Population growth has a major impact on demand for recreational programs and facilities. Whatcom County’s population is estimated to increase by nearly 65,000 residents (29.23%) over the next 20 years. This rate is higher than the State’s projected growth rate but refl ects a lower rate for each fi ve year period than the 11.25% growth rate experienced by the county between 2005 and 2010.
Population Projections (Medium Series) 2012 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 Whatcom County 205,262 210,050 225,307 241,138 256,643 271,142 Washington 6,897,012 7,022,200 7,411,977 7,793,173 8,154,193 8,484,628 Source: WA State Offi ce of Financial Management
Whatcom Washington Demographics County State Population (2012) 205,262 6,897,012 Population (2010) 201,104 6,724,543 % Change (2010-12) 2.00% 2.60% Median Age (2010) 36.6 37.3 Average Household Size (2010) 2.43 2.51 Median Household Income (2010) $49,294 $54,888 Housing Units (2010) 90,665 2,885,677
Diploma or higher, 91.40% 89.80% age 25+ (2007 - 2011)
Bachelor’s degree or higher, 31.80% 31.40% age 25+ (2007 - 2011)
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Community Profi le Page 6 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
PARKS CLASSIFICATIONS/ SERVICE AREA Whatcom County Parks & Recreation uses a classifi cation system based on size, function and service area to group parklands. This classifi cation helps the department in management of these areas and allows comparison against state and national GIS data bases such as the National Recreation and Park Association’s PRORAGIS. Park classifi cations can change over time as use of a facility changes, plans are modifi ed or an area is annexed or incorporated into a UGA. The following are the general park classifi cations used by the Whatcom County Parks & Recreation System.
Park Includes both developed and undeveloped properties such as preserves, open space, regional parks, resource and natural areas, greenways, trails, water access sites, historical sites, athletic fi elds, beaches and forests. Park defi nition is inclusive of all parklands.
20.97.285 WCC Park. “Park” means private or public areas of land with or without buildings, designated for active or passive recreational uses. Silver Lake Park This includes unlit athletic fi elds with no more than 3. INVENTORY one baseball diamond, soccer or football fi eld, unenclosed spectator seating facilities and nor more than 30 parking spaces. (Ord. 2004-026 § 1, 2004). Whatcom County has one national park (North Cascades), two national recreational areas (Ross Recreation Resource Management Area Lake and Mt. Baker), two national forests (Mt. Large undeveloped parcels with unique or attractive Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan), three national features where public access is maintained and wilderness areas (Mt. Baker, Pasayten, Noisy unique scenic areas preserved through public Diobsud), two national scenic trails (Pacifi c Crest, ownership or private easements. These areas are Pacifi c Northwest), three State Parks, (Larrabee, mapped in the County’s Comprehensive Plan and Birch Bay, Peace Arch), local municipal parks provided for reference purposes (See Appendix in the cities of Bellingham, Everson, Lynden, page 1). County parklands in the RRMA are included Ferndale, Sumas and Blaine, parks and marina in the park inventories and the RRMAs do not have areas operated by the Port of Bellingham, and four a service area. park and recreation districts (Chuckanut Mountain, Northwest Park and Recreation, Point Roberts, Recreation Resource Management Areas: Large Lynden). Recreational activities also occur on state undeveloped parcels with unique or attractive forest trust and Washington Department of Fish features where public access is maintained and and Wildlife lands. While Whatcom County has a unique scenic areas preserved through public considerable amount of federal recreational land, ownership or private easements. Whatcom County limited accessibility and distance to these lands Comprehensive Plan (revised 2013) is a challenge for most residents. The majority of recreational use by county residents occurs in local Neighborhood Park and county parks and recreational facilities. Neighborhood parks primarily serve the immediate neighborhood and are usually located within one Other recreational opportunities within the County quarter mile walking distance of the residents. for residents include school district properties, These parks are generally smaller facilities with private developments and parks, commercial limited activities and parking. Neighborhood parks businesses such as golf courses, riding academies, are usually provided by the Cities and private water parks, ranges, and through partnerships residential developments. Ted Edwards and on private lands such as the Galbraith Mountain Redwood Parks are examples. mountain biking area. Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 7 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Water Access Site The primary purpose of water access sites is to provide public access to shorelines and lakes. Amenities are often limited and sites are used for a variety of purposes including swimming, beachcombing, shore fi shing, launching, and shell fi shing. Examples of water access sites include the Jackson Road Beach Access in Birch Bay and the Nugent’s Corner River Access. These sites do not have a service area.
Special Use Areas Special use areas have one dominant specialized use activity. They serve a targeted user group or population. They may be located anywhere within Community Park the County and need to be of adequate size and Community Parks provide space for community have specialized amenities to properly serve their activities and usually provide activities for both intended use. Examples include the Plantation children and adults. These parks primarily serve Rifl e Range, Northwest Soccer Fields and the East a single community with a typical service area Whatcom Regional Resource Center. of 5 miles. They often contain both passive and active recreational components such as picnic Greenways/Trails areas, playgrounds, shelters, playfi elds and courts. These are undeveloped open space natural areas, These parks are often located in more urbanized agricultural lands, recreational lands and wildlife incorporated areas or may serve an entire rural corridors. These greenways often serve as linear community. Josh VanderYacht Memorial Park is an parks and may have multi-use trails. The trails can example of a small rural Community Park. serve both recreation and transportation purposes and are usually planned as part of a community Regional Park trails and greenway system linking bicycle routes, Regional Parks are typically larger destination parks and destinations within the community. parks focused upon a unique feature or amenities Examples include the Interurban and Bay Crest that attract users from a broad service area. A trails. service area of 25 miles is often used for planning purposes. Regional parks serve all county residents Developed Park and often attract visitors from outside the county. Whatcom County has adopted a level of service These parks can have signifi cant natural, cultural, for developed parks. There is currently no or historical features along with multiple amenities defi nition of developed park in the County Code such as boat launches, campgrounds, beaches, or Comprehensive Plan. In this plan the defi nition equestrian activities and event areas. A regional of developed park is defi ned as any park area park may also serve or have elements of a that is open to the public and has at minimum community park and preserve/open space areas. a constructed parking area and at least one Examples include Hovander Homestead and Silver other built amenity such as a trail, view point or Lake Parks. restroom.
Preserve/Open Space EXISTING INVENTORY Whatcom County Parks & Recreation currently Preserves and Open Space areas focus on manages or oversees 16,000 acres of property preserving signifi cant natural areas, wilderness, comprised of 66 properties. These include natural wildlife habitats, scenic views and watersheds. areas, parks, gardens, tidelands, beaches, historic Preserves and Open Spaces don’t have a service buildings, special use areas and undeveloped lands. area component. These areas are intended to be Included in this inventory are 63.17 miles of trail, maintained in a natural state and are managed to campgrounds, boat launches, picnic areas, day preserve the natural attributes of the site. Each site lodges, shelters and numerous other amenities. is individually evaluated for public access and when These include undeveloped natural areas and open compatible, amenities are often limited to that space, community and regional parks, multi-use which is appropriate to support the level of public trails and special use areas. access to the property. Examples of preserves include the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve and The following chart lists the current inventory of Canyon Lake Community Forest. lands and facilities assigned to the department.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 8 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 9 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
REGIONAL PARK INVENTORY Lighthouse Marine Park (9): 24.3 acres. A fully developed park located on the Bay Horizon Park (1): southwest corner of Point Roberts. Improvements 69.8 acre former air force radar base. Site include boat launch, 30 site campground, board amenities include a playground, basketball court walk, museum, restrooms, shower building, picnic gymnasium, open fi elds, small picnic area and areas and shelter and shore walk. connection to the Bay Crest Trail. Buildings are leased to the Camp Horizon Foundation for Lily Point Marine Park (10): operation of Camp Horizon serving disabled adults 274 acres. A natural area park containing the and to the Northwest Park & Recreation District for remnants of a salmon cannery. Improvements community recreational programming. include parking, restrooms, overlooks and multi-use trails and shellfi sh beds. Boulevard Park (2): 1.8 acres leased to the City of Bellingham. Fully Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve (11): developed with multi use trail and boardwalk, 4,430.3 acres. A natural themed park located on restrooms/coffee shop, parking and lawn areas. Lookout Mountain and jointly owned with the City of Bellingham. Improvements include hiking and Chuckanut Mountain/Pine & Cedar Lake mountain bike trails, restroom and parking area. Access (3): 973.1 acres of forestland, hiking, equestrian and Maple Creek Park (12): mountain bike trails, 2 remote back country camp 79.7 acre undeveloped park area. Adjoins Maple areas, boardwalk, parking area and vault toilets. Falls to Glacier segment of the Bay to Baker Trail. Site connects and adjoins with City of Bellingham’s Arroyo Park, Washington Department of Fish and Monument Park (13): Wildlife Pine and Cedar Lakes and Larrabee State 7.3 acre park. Park contains US/Canadian border Park. monument and has a small parking area, walking trail and beach access. Deming Eagle Homestead Park (4): 28.5 acre park along a channel of the Nooksack Samish Park (14): River. Improvements include parking, picnic area 26.4 acres fully developed park area on the north and walking trail. shore of Lake Samish. Improvements include a day lodge and restrooms, changing building, swim Dittrich Park (5): beach, small playground, boat rentals, fi shing dock, 22.8 acres of undeveloped park land located on hiking trail and picnic areas. Lake Samish. Site has three residences and is comprised of fi elds, wetlands and wooded shoreline. Semiahmoo Park (15): 304 acres. Most of this parks acreage is tidelands. Hovander Homestead Park (6): Upland improvements include parking area, trails, 338.3 acres. Multi-use park focused around a museum, restrooms, beach accesses, picnic areas historic farmstead and Tenant Lake. Improvements and a day lodge. include a 2,000 square foot open picnic shelter, picnic and event areas, demonstration gardens, Silver Lake Park (16): playground, domestic animal display, historic 410.4 acres. Improvements include 6,000 square farm buildings and equipment, historic home and foot building housing a day lodge, offi ces, restrooms furnishings, agricultural fi elds, multi-use trails, concession area and kitchen, 6 cabins, docks, boat observation tower, boardwalk, interpretive center, launch, three campground areas with 123 sites in restrooms and boat launch. total, restrooms, shower building, picnic areas and open shelters, forestry museum, stables, swimming Jensen Family Forest Park (7): beach, playground, and open activity fi elds. 21.7 acres. Leased for public park use site has an accessible ½ mile walking trail, parking area and South Fork Park (17): picnic area. 550.3 acres. An undeveloped park area with a historic farmstead. Lake Whatcom Park (8): 4,686.5 acres. Located on Smith Creek and the South Lake Whatcom (18): east shore of Lake Whatcom. Amenities include 78.9 acres. Undeveloped park area with shore vault toilets, multi-use, hiking, mountain biking and access on the southeast shore of Lake Whatcom. equestrian trails, parking areas and shore access.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 10 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Squires Lake Park (19): • Dittrich Park: 25.2 acre undeveloped property 82.3 acres. This park is focused around Squires on the southeast shore of Lake Samish Lake and includes walking trails, benches and parking area. Jointly managed by Whatcom and • South Lake Whatcom: 79.5 acre undeveloped Skagit County Parks. property on the southeast end of Lake Whatcom. The property has limited day use Sunset Farm Park (20): access and its shoreline is used for fi shing, 70 acres. Park is programed for equestrian use and boating and diving. includes riding ring and course along with trails. • Maple Creek Park: 73 acre undeveloped Other Lands: property in Maple Falls along Bay to Baker Trail Lands the Parks & Recreation Department leases Corridor lands to other entities: • Haynie Road: 1.88 acre undeveloped former • City of Bellingham: school site located corner of Haynie and Custer 12.8 acres at Little Squalicum Park and 1.4 School Roads acres at Boulevard Park for park purposes. • Kickerville Road : 2.58 acre undeveloped • Lummi Nation: former school site located at the NW corner of 20 acres on Haxton Way leased to the to the Kickerville and Bay Roads Lummi Nation CONDITION • Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Park facilities are inspected and assessed by Hovander Boat Launch staff on an annual basis for capital and general maintenance needs. Playgrounds are inspected on • South Whatcom Fire Authority: a daily basis during peak use periods and at least 1.38 acres weekly during other times of the year. Water, septic and other operating systems are inspected and • Whatcom County Public Works leases a boat tested according to local and State requirements. launch site on the south shore of Lake Whatcom Park facilities as a whole are generally in good to the Washington Department of Fish & condition. Because many of the major park areas Wildlife. were developed in the late 1960’s and 1970’s, a major portion of the capital improvement budget The Department leases land for park purposes in the past 10 years has focused on infrastructure from: maintenance such as roofs, playgrounds, docks • Bertch Timberlands LLC: 60 acres at Plantation and water systems. Through the use of real estate Rifl e Range excise tax revenues (REET I and II), an aggressive preventative maintenance schedule and a dedicated • Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife: 140 maintenance staff, the department has been able to acres at Pine & Cedar Lakes keep pace with the maintenance and replacement needs within the parks system. • Puget Sound Energy: Interurban Trail and miscellaneous properties Feedback from the 2013 customer service survey indicates that park visitors overall were pleased • Jensen Family: 21.7 acres Jensen Family Forest with the condition of park facilities giving a good Park approval rating 85% of the time.
• Washington Department of Natural Resources: Needed improvements identifi ed through the Miscellaneous tidelands planning process include:
• Whatcom Public Works Department: through • Playground replacements: Samish and an interdepartmental agreement, the Parks & Lighthouse Marine Parks Recreation Department manages the contract with the Back Country Horsemen for use of the • Road improvements: Hovander and Silver Lake Y-Road trailhead Parks
The County has a reserve of 182.2 acres of park • Parking improvements: Hovander and Lake and open space lands for future development and Whatcom Parks use. These include;
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 11 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 • Roof replacements: Hovander Park
• Bridge and boardwalk replacements: Canyon Lake Community Forest, Lake Whatcom Park, Silver Lake Park, Tennant Lake, Pine & Cedar Lakes
• Improved road, directional and trail signage: system wide
• Expanded day use area: Lake Whatcom Park
• Development of South Fork Park and Nesset Farm restoration
• Boardwalk replacement: Lighthouse Marine Park
• New restroom buildings: Silver Lake, Hovander Park, Stimpson Family Nature Reserve, Lake Whatcom Parks
• Campground road and electrical upgrades: Silver Lake Park
• Cabin improvements (restrooms): Silver Lake Park
• Increase Public access (saltwater and Nooksack River)
• Boat launch and water access Lummi Island
• Completion of the shore walk: Lighthouse Marine Park
• Replacement of the launch dock: Lighthouse Marine Park
In addition to the improvements identifi ed, there was strong support expressed in the surveys and public workshops for maintaining a priority on the maintenance of existing parks and facilities.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 12 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Developed/ Saltwater Freshwater TrailsMultiͲUse TrailsHiking/MB/ Name Address Acres YearAcquired Classification Undeveloped (ft) (ft) (mi) Equestrian(mi) 1BayHorizonPark 7467GeminiStreet,Blaine,WA98230 69.8 1981 RegionalPark Developed 0 0 0.25 0 2 BoulevardPark BayviewDrive,Bellingham,WA98225 1.8 1968 RegionalPark Developed 700 0 0 0 3 ChuckanutMountain/Pine&CedarLakes OldSamishRoad,Bellingham,WA98229 973.1 2002 RegionalPark Developed 0 250 0 15.52 4DemingEagleHomesteadPark TruckRoad,Deming,WA98244 28.5 2002 RegionalPark Developed 0 2250 0 0.3 5 DittrichPark 323EastLakeSamishDrive,Bellingham,WA98229 22.8 1966 RegionalPark Undeveloped 0 1600 0 0 6 HovanderHomesteadPark 5299NielsenAvenue,Ferndale,WA98248 338.3 1969 RegionalPark Developed 0 13750 3.2 0 7JensenFamilyForestPark Stein/BirchBayͲLyndenRoad,Custer,WA98240 21.7 2005 RegionalPark Developed 0 0 0 0.67 8 LakeWhatcomPark NorthShoreRoad,WA98226 4686.5 1972 RegionalPark Developed 0 11200 4.01 0 9 LighthouseMarinePark 811MarineDrive,PointRoberts,WA98281 24.3 1971 RegionalPark Developed 2250 0 0 0 10 LilyPointMarinePark ApaRoad,PointRoberts,WA98281 274.0 2008 RegionalPark Developed 10150 0 4.16 0 11 LookoutMountainForestPreserve 2537LakeLouiseRoad,Bellingham,WA98229 4430.3 2001 RegionalPark Developed 0 0 0 4.11 12 MapleCreekPark SilverLakeRoad,MapleFalls,WA98266 79.7 2007 RegionalPark Undeveloped 0 0 0 1.28 13 MonumentPark MarineDrive,PointRoberts,WA98281 7.3 1971 RegionalPark Developed 460 0 0 0.35 14 SamishPark 673NorthLakeSamishDrive,Bellingham,WA 26.4 1996 RegionalPark Developed 0 1600 0 1.66 15 SemiahmooPark 9261SemiahmooParkway,Blaine,WA98230 304.0 1980 RegionalPark Developed 8750 0 0.63 0 16 SilverLakePark 9006SilverLakeRoad,MapleFalls,WA98266 410.4 1966 RegionalPark Developed 0 6350 0 5.75 17 SouthForkPark MosquitoLakeRoad,Deming,WA98244 550.3 1993 RegionalPark Undeveloped 0 15860 0 0 18 SouthLakeWhatcom SouthBayDrive?LakeWhatcomBoulevard? 78.9 1973 RegionalPark Undeveloped 0 5220 0 0 19 SquiresLakePark OldHighway99N,Bellingham,WA98229 82.3 1995 RegionalPark Developed 0 3100 0 2.88 20 SunsetFarmPark 7981BlaineRoad,Blaine,WA98230 70.0 1993 RegionalPark Developed 0 0 0 0.56 TotalDevelopedRegionalParkAcres 11748.8 TotalUndevelopedRegionalParkAcres 731.7 TotalRegionalParkAcres 12480.5
21 JoshVanderYachtPark 4106ValleyHighway,Deming,WA98244 2.2 1970 CommunityPark Developed 0 0 0 0 22 LittleSqualicumPark 13.7 1975 CommunityPark Developed 0 0 0 0 TotalDevelopedCommunityParkAcres 15.9 TotalUndevelopedCommunityParkAcres 0.0 TotalCommunityParkAcres 15.9
23 HaynieRoad 1.9 1974 NeighborhoodPark Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 24 KickervilleRoad NWKickervilleRoad/BayRoad,Blaine,WA98230 2.4 1977 NeighborhoodPark Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 25 RedwoodPark RedwoodAvenue?AlderwoodAvenue?Bellingham,WA98225 0.2 1993 NeighborhoodPark Developed 0 0 0 0 26 TedEdwardsPark LoweAvenue,Bellingham,WA98229 3.6 1968 NeighborhoodPark Developed 0 0 0 0 TotalDevelopedNeighborhoodParkAcres 3.8 TotalUndevelopedNeighborhoodParkAcres 4.3 TotalNeighborhoodParkAcres 8.1
27 Alderwood 2.8 1955 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 28 BirchBayConservancyArea ???WhitehornRoad,Blaine,WA98230 43.2 2004 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 1500 0 0 0 29 CanyonLakeCommunityForest CanyonLakeRoad,Deming,WA98244 2394.4 1998 Preserve/OpenSpace Developed 0 6700 7.01 0 30 DraytonHarborTidelands DraytonHarborRoad,Blaine,WA98230 0.3 2009 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 270 0 0 0 31 EuclidPark EuclidAvenue,Bellingham,WA98225 1.2 1966 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 0 50 0.05 0 32 GalbraithMountainAccess 20.3 1993 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 33 HalversonPark CedarAvenue/AlderStreet,BirchBay,WA 5.6 1932 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 34 OstromConservationSite SouthPassRoad,Everson,WA98247 36.3 1983 Preserve/OpenSpace Developed 0 0 0.56 0 35 PointWhitehornMarineReserve KoehnRoad,Blaine,WA98230 55.3 2008 Preserve/OpenSpace Developed 1950 0 0.81 0 36 SouthPassEast SouthPassRoad,Everson,WA98247 0.7 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 37 SouthPassWest SouthPassRoad,Everson,WA98247 0.5 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 38 StimpsonFamilyNatureReserve LakeLouiseRoad,Bellingham,WA98229 376.1 2000 Preserve/OpenSpace Developed 0 5620 4.02 0 39 TerrellCreekAccess JacksonRoad,Blaine,WA98230 0.6 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 0 540 0 0 40 TerrellCreekHeronRookery 14.4 2005 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 0 0 0 41 TurnerͲJaeger LakeLouiseRoad,Bellingham,WA98229 4.7 2005 Preserve/OpenSpace Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 TotalDevelopedPreserve/OpenSpaceAcres 2862.2 TotalUndevelopedPreserve/OpenSpaceAcres 94.2 TotalPreserve/OpenSpaceAcres 2956.4
42 BayCrestTrail SunsetDriveandWoodbridgeDrive,BirchBay, 2005 Greenway/Trail Developed 0.5 0 43 Camp#2RoadRRROW 2.3 1999 Greenway/Trail Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 44 Hegg(BlueCanyon) BlueCanyonRoad,SedroWooley,WA 4.0 1990 Greenway/Trail Undeveloped 0 1820 0 0 45 InterurbanTrail ChuckanutDrive,Bellingham,WA98229 11.2 1992 Greenway/Trail Developed 0 2.8 0 46 MapleFallsͲGlacierTrail Highway542,Deming,WA98244 90.7 1970 Greenway/Trail Developed 0 7500 0 4 TotalDevelopedGreenway/TrailAcres 101.9 TotalUndevelopedGreenway/TrailAcres 6.2 TotalGreenway/TrailAcres 108.2
47 BirchBayTidelands 151.6 1936 WaterAccess Undeveloped 5700 0 0 0 48 BroadwayBeachAccess BirchBayDrive,Blaine,WA98230 0.1 1981 WaterAccess Developed 55 0 0 0 49 CottonwoodBeachAccess BirchBayDrive/BeachWayDrive,BirchBay,WA 4.6 1932 WaterAccess Developed 775 0 0 0 50 JacksonRoadBeachAccess 7537BirchBayDrive,Blaine,WA98230 0.2 WaterAccess Developed 50 0 0 0 51 LummiIslandBeachAccess 2002N.NugentRoad,LummiIsland,WA98262 0.1 1979 WaterAccess Developed 130 0 0 0 52 MapleBeachTidelands BayViewDrive,PointRoberts,WA98281 101.5 1971 WaterAccess Undeveloped 1900 0 0 0 53 Nugent'sCornerRiverAccess Highway542,Bellingham,WA98226 16.5 2004 WaterAccess Developed 0 1500 0 0 54 SunnysideLanding NorthShoreRoad,Bellingham,WA98226 6.5 2005 WaterAccess Undeveloped 0 780 0 0 55 SunsetBeach WestShoreDrive,LummiIsland,WA98262 5.4 2008 WaterAccess Developed 1340 0 0 0 56 TeddyBearCovePark ChuckanutDrive,Bellingham,WA98229 8.8 1992 WaterAccess Developed 1425 0 0 0 57 WelcomeBridgeRiverAccess MosquitoLakeRoad,Deming,WA98244 0.5 2007 WaterAccess Developed 0 150 0 0 TotalDevelopedWaterAccessAcres 36.2 TotalUndevelopedWaterAccessAcres 259.6 TotalWaterAccessAcres 295.7
58 BellinghamSeniorActivityCenter 315HalleckStreet,Bellingham,WA98225 1.2 1973 SpecialUseArea Developed 0 0 0 0 59 CageyRoad 8180HaxtonWay,Bellingham,WA98225 20.3 SpecialUseArea Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 60 EastWhatcomRegionalResourceCtr 8251KendallRoad,Sumas,WA98295 9.2 2006 SpecialUseArea Developed 0 0 0 0 61 NorthwestSoccerPark 5238NorthwestDrive,Bellingham,WA98226 36.5 1964 SpecialUseArea Developed 0 0 0 0.38 62 ParksHeadquarters 3373MountBakerHighway,Bellingham,WA98226 4.7 1991 SpecialUseArea Developed 0 0 0 0 63 PlantationRifleRange 5102SamishHighway,Bellingham,WA98229 60.1 1975 SpecialUseArea Developed 0 0 0 0 64 RoederHome 2600SunsetDrive,Bellingham,WA98225 1.0 1971 SpecialUseArea Developed 0 0 0 0 65 SamishWay SamishWay,Bellingham,WA98229 2.0 1992 SpecialUseArea Undeveloped 0 0 0 0 66 WelcomeSeniorActivityCenter 5103MosquitoLakeRoad,Deming,WA98244 0.8 1973 SpecialUseArea Developed 0 0 0 0 TotalDevelopedSpecialUseAreaAcres 113.5 Total 37,405 85,840 28 37 TotalUndevelopedSpecialUseAreaAcres 22.3 TotalSpecialUseAreaAcres 135.8
TotalParkAcres 16,000.6
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 13 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 Center (#sites) (#) Area Attraction Camp Area Shelter Launch Lodge Interpretive Campground Restrooms Gardens Open Group Picnic Cabins Swimming Day Historical Playground Boat Name / 1BayHorizonPark x x x 2BoulevardPark 3 ChuckanutMountain/Pine&CedarLakes 3 x 4DemingEagleHomesteadPark x 5 DittrichPark 6 HovanderHomesteadPark xxxx x x 7JensenFamilyForestPark 8 LakeWhatcomPark x 9 LighthouseMarinePark 30 x x x x x x x 10 LilyPointMarinePark x 11 LookoutMountainForestPreserve x 12 MapleCreekPark 13 MonumentPark x 14 SamishPark x x x x x 15 SemiahmooPark x x x x 16 SilverLakePark 89xxx xxxxxx x 17 SouthForkPark 18 SouthLakeWhatcom 19 SquiresLakePark x 20 SunsetFarmPark x
21 JoshVanderYachtPark x 22 LittleSqualicumPark
23 HaynieRoad 24 KickervilleRoad 25 RedwoodPark 26 TedEdwardsPark x x
27 Alderwood 28 BirchBayConservancyArea 29 CanyonLakeCommunityForest x 30 DraytonHarborTidelands 31 EuclidPark 32 GalbraithMountainAccess 33 HalversonPark 34 OstromConservationSite 35 PointWhitehornMarineReserve x 36 SouthPassEast 37 SouthPassWest 38 StimpsonFamilyNatureReserve 39 TerrellCreekAccess 40 TerrellCreekHeronRookery 41 TurnerͲJaeger
42 BayCrestTrail 43 Camp#2RoadRRROW 44 Hegg(BlueCanyon) 45 InterurbanTrail 46 MapleFallsͲGlacierTrail
47 BirchBayTidelands 48 BroadwayBeachAccess 49 CottonwoodBeachAccess 50 JacksonRoadBeachAccess 51 LummiIslandBeachAccess x 52 MapleBeachTidelands 53 Nugent'sCornerRiverAccess x 54 SunnysideLanding 55 SunsetBeach 56 TeddyBearCovePark 57 WelcomeBridgeRiverAccess
58 BellinghamSeniorActivityCenter 59 CageyRoad 60 EastWhatcomRegionalResourceCtr 61 NorthwestSoccerPark 62 ParksHeadquarters 63 PlantationRifleRange 64 RoederHome 65 SamishWay x 66 WelcomeSeniorActivityCenter
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 14 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Parks/TrailsAttendance 900,000 800,000 700,000 862,660
600,000 753,813 732,893 713,001 500,000 708,381 638,705 400,000 521,841
300,000 498,432 454,176 200,000 421,136 100,000 0 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 CAPACITY compliment Northwest Soccer Fields and provide In 2012, the Whatcom County Park system had additional capacity for future tournaments over 732,000 visitations to parks and trails and 186,000 visitations in senior services. A visitation PROGRAMMING ELEMENTS is defi ned as a single visit on a per day bases. The Parks & Recreation Department provides The department uses a variety of methods in programmed activities at a number of park determining visitor counts including infra-red facilities through collaboration with community trail counters, vehicle counters, registrations partners. The department continues to directly and daily attendance logs. In general, most park provide fi rearms safety and skill classes at the areas and facilities are currently meeting visitor Plantation Rifl e Range. In 2008 due to budget needs. Many park areas have additional capacity reductions, the County signifi cantly reduced or with improvements, can accommodate greater its capacity to directly deliver programs and user numbers without compromising the visitor’s redirected efforts to providing venues for other experience or the parks resources. community providers to deliver similar services.
The following recommendations pertaining to Community partners currently offering public capacity issues were taken from the public programming within the parks system include: workshops, surveys and staff reports: • Whatcom Land Trust: Interpretive programs, • Need improved and/or additional restroom various locations capacity: Silver Lake Park, Hovander Homestead • Audubon Society: Interpretive and birding Park, Stimpson Family Nature Reserve and Lake programs, various locations Whatcom Park • Friends of Hovander/Tennant Lake Park: • Need additional surfaced parking capacity: Interpretive programs at Hovander Homestead Hovander Homestead Park, Samish Park and Park Lake Whatcom Park • Drayton Harbor Maritime: Museum staffi ng and • Need entrance improvements and wider park programs at Semiahmoo Park roads: Hovander Homestead Park and Silver Lake Park • Whatcom Volunteer Center: Docent tours of Hovander Home at Hovander Homestead Park • Need improvements to accessibility and more opportunities for older adults in the parks • Daughters of Norway and Black Mountain system due to an aging population Forestry Center: Museum staffi ng, tours and programs at Silver Lake Park • Need informal youth playfi elds for team practice, soccer, rugby, and other open fi eld games: • Master Gardener’s Foundation: Programs and Bay Horizon Park and East Whatcom Regional demonstration gardens at Hovander Homestead Resource Center Park • Need additional tournament grade fi elds to
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 15 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
• Programming and classes at the Senior Activity Centers are provided by contract through non- ParkOperationsRevenue profi t organizations. $1,200,000.00 $1,000,000.00
• Community Day: Tuesdays at the Roeder Home $800,000.00 provided by various volunteer artisan groups Actual $600,000.00 Budget As resources permit, it is recommended the County $400,000.00 continue to partner with community organizations, $200,000.00 businesses and agencies in offering recreational $Ͳ programming opportunities in the parks. 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
DISTRIBUTION AND ACCESS *Park Operations Revenue does not capture all of 2013 REET II and Conservation Futures Funding Based on GIS data, 99.9% of Whatcom County’s population is located within 25 miles of a regional ParkOperationsExpenses park facility or trail. This access is primarily by $4,000,000.00 motorized vehicle. Hovander Homestead Park and $3,500,000.00 Semiahmoo Parks are linked by community trails $3,000,000.00 $2,500,000.00 and WTA bus service is available to the Lookout Actual $2,000,000.00 Mountain Forest Preserve and Stimpson Family Budget Nature Reserve. Efforts continue on providing $1,500,000.00 $1,000,000.00 alternative transportation options for visitors to $500,000.00 County Park areas through community trail systems $Ͳ and designated bicycle routes and lanes. As 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Whatcom County is a provider of regional services, community and neighborhood parks are not listed in the service area for the County. Those types of park areas owned by the County are shown on the SeniorCenterRevenue service area map for reference. $60,000.00
$50,000.00
$40,000.00 Actual $30,000.00 Budget $20,000.00
$10,000.00
$Ͳ 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
SeniorCenterExpenses $900,000.00 $800,000.00 $700,000.00 $600,000.00 $500,000.00 Actual $400,000.00 Budget $300,000.00 $200,000.00 $100,000.00 $Ͳ 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
*Department reorganized in 2010 shifting some Senior Center expenses to Administration
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 16 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 17 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
PARK OPERATIONS WILDLIFE & CRITICAL HABITAT CONSERVATION The Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Department is responsible for operations, Habitat conservation areas are critical to the maintenance, and oversight of all assigned survival of Whatcom County’s diverse plant and properties and facilities. In 2013, the Department wildlife communities. Habitats encompass a variety had a staff of 22 full-time employees and of areas including large parcels of contiguous approximately 18,518 hours of part-time extra undeveloped land, special areas like streams help. It is expected that an additional 1,200 hours or wetlands, and structural elements like rocky of part-time extra help and one full-time position shorelines or standing dead trees. will be added to the department in 2014. The department also utilizes the services of two work The ecological value of an area depends on the crews from the County’s Jail Alternative Program. quantity, quality, diversity, and seasonality of the Volunteers, interns and community organizations food, water, and cover that it provides wildlife supplement park staff in helping to maintain species. A particular site's value also depends on facilities and provide additional programming hours. proximity to other usable habitats, the presence of The park system is divided into three regional rare species, and the rarity of the habitat type. service areas to better facilitate operations and provide staff coverage for all properties. The preservation and restoration of critical habitat areas are key to protecting the biological diversity of Whatcom County. Critical habitat can be lost or degraded due to urban and some rural land use activities. Critical habitat threats can be reduced with effective land use policies and regulations. In some instances, valuable habitat can also be restored or enhanced through preservation and conservation efforts.
Director Wildlife habitats are generally classifi ed as marine, estuarine, freshwater, and terrestrial. Many wildlife species rely upon most, even all, of these habitat
Design& types for survival. Whatcom County has all four ParksOperations Administrative Development Manager Assistant Supervisor types of wildlife habitat.
Marine Habitat
Maintenance/ Marine habitats are salt water areas that extend SeniorCenter Construction LeadRanger(4) AccountantI ExtraHelp(4) outward from the upper limit of wave spray on land. SupervisorIII In Whatcom County, marine habitats extend the complete circumference of the mainland and Point Roberts, and Lummi, Portage, and Eliza Islands. Repair ParkRanger(2) ClerkIII(2) MaintenanceIII(5) Marine habitats provide critical plant, fi sh, and wildlife habitat that can be greatly affected by land and water-based activities. The waters of Georgia Outside Maintenance Strait, Drayton Harbor, Birch Bay, Lummi Bay, Coordinator(2) Bellingham Bay, and Chuckanut Bay depend on the health of tidefl ats and the water column for primary production. Eelgrass, kelp, and phytoplankton OrganizationChart Maintenance provide the primary cornerstone for the grazing WorkerII food chain, and shelter for both invertebrate and vertebrate animal species.
The deeper waters and narrow channels of Georgia Strait, Rosario Strait, and Hale Passage, as well as the shallower waters of Drayton Harbor and Birch, Lummi, Bellingham, and Chuckanut Bays produce a unique marine environment rich in nutrients hosting a remarkable diversity of fi sh and other animal life.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 18 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
The open channels, rocky outcrops, islands, and organisms that would not be present otherwise. large bays of Whatcom County provide wintering Eelgrass is a highly productive plant that provides and breeding habitat for a wide variety of marine trophic functions and nutrient infusions for the birds including loons, grebes, cormorants, gulls, entire coastal zone. Eelgrass beds provide an ducks, geese, shorebirds and alcids. important stopover and wintering area along the Pacifi c fl yway for a variety of migratory birds. The Fish and Wildlife Species eelgrass beds in Georgia Strait and Puget Sound Special status/priority fi sh and wildlife species further south have been found to be three times (or particular relationships between species more productive to diving birds, for example, than and habitat) that rely on the marine habitat in non-vegetated near- shore areas. Whatcom County for at least part of the year or part of their life cycle include: bald eagle, Kelp and eelgrass beds have declined in number Brandt’s cormorant, regular large concentrations and overall size in Georgia Strait and Puget Sound of brant (geese), haulout areas for California sea in recent years. The decline may be due to changes lion, common loon, common murre, breeding in water quality and turbidity resulting from urban concentrations of cormorants and alcids, regular development and forest cutting activities, or to concentrations of Dall’s porpoise, breeding areas natural fl uctuations due to storms, unusually hot and regular concentrations of Dungeness crab, weather, or an increase in the population of grazing regular concentrations of geoduck, breeding areas species. for great blue heron, haulout areas for harbor seal, regular marine concentrations of harlequin Shellfi sh duck, killer whale, regular concentrations of Manila Commercial and recreational shellfi sh areas are clam, marbled murrelet, native littleneck clam; identifi ed in the Whatcom County Critical Areas nonbreeding concentrations of Barrow’s goldeneye, Ordinance as Habitat Conservation Areas (HCAs). common goldeneye, and buffl ehead; nonbreeding Shellfi sh inhabit the muds, sands, and rocky concentrations of loons, grebes, cormorants, and substrata of Georgia Strait, Drayton Harbor, and alcids; nonbreeding concentrations of plovers, Birch, Lummi, Bellingham and Chuckanut Bays. sandpipers, and phalaropes; northern abalone, Intertidal areas support hardshell clams including Olympia oyster (restoration effort in progress), butter clams, native littleneck, manila clams, Pacifi c harbor porpoise, regular concentrations of cockles, and horse clams. Geoducks typically Pacifi c oyster, regular concentrations of Pandalid burrow in subtidal areas up to 2 to 3 feet into shrimp, peregrine falcon, regular concentrations the mud or soft sand. Shrimp, crab, and oysters of red urchin, regular large concentrations of also inhabit the shoreline areas. Dungeness crab waterfowl, western grebe, Chinook salmon, coho frequent eelgrass beds, and red rock crab inhabit salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, sockeye rocky terrain with less silt content. salmon, bull trout, steelhead, coastal cutthroat trout, Pacifi c herring, Pacifi c sand lance, surf smelt, Surf smelt, Pacifi c herring, and Pacifi c sand lance longfi n smelt, and numerous rockfi sh species. spawning areas - are identifi ed in the Whatcom County Critical Areas Ordinance as Habitat Kelp and eelgrass beds - are identifi ed in the Conservation Areas (HCAs). Surf smelt inhabit Whatcom County Critical Areas Ordinance as marine nearshore areas year-round, and spawning Habitat Conservation Areas (HCAs). These beds may occur year-round. Signifi cant spawning provide habitat, feeding, and rearing grounds for a concentrations of Pacifi c herring are found in the large number of marine organisms including crabs, Cherry Point and Samish-Portage Bay areas. Most fi sh, and birds. Kelp are the large brown seaweeds Pacifi c herring stocks spawn from late January typically found in rocky intertidal and subtidal through early April, although the Cherry Point stock areas. Eelgrass is a vascular plant that grows most (the largest in the state) spawns from early April commonly in intertidal and shallow subtidal sandy through early June. Spawning areas for Pacifi c and muddy areas. sand lance are scattered along nearshore areas in Whatcom County, with spawning in intertidal Kelp beds provide a surface upon which other plants areas occurring annually from November 1 through and animals grow. They are used as resting areas February 15. by birds and mammals including gulls, herons, waterfowl, shorebirds, and seals. Kelp beds also ESTUARINE HABITAT protect environments for intertidal plants and Estuaries are semi-enclosed bodies of water animals by reducing current, wave action, and that are freely connected with the open sea and inshore erosion on sand and gravel beaches. The within which saltwater mixes with freshwater beds provide a protected beach habitat for marine drainage. Estuaries create transitions between
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 19 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments that support a rich and diverse variety of wildlife species.
By defi nition, estuaries have a salt concentration from 0.5 parts per trillion up to 30 parts per thousand. Estuaries include subtidal and intertidal zones as well as lagoons, sloughs, and channels that meet this salinity defi nition. Estuaries are typically shallower with warmer water temperatures than marine habitat zones.
In Whatcom County, the estuarine environment may extend inland for some distance where freshwater from the Nooksack and Lummi Rivers, and Dakota, California, Terrell, Squalicum, Padden, and Chuckanut Creeks mixes with saltwater tidal currents. Salinity content may be affected by the amount of freshwater fl ow that enters the saltwater, the strength of the tides, and the resulting amount of fresh to saltwater mixing. Salinity is not constant within such a mixing and may vary with depth and area of fl ow. The animals and plants that are established within the area are often better predictors of the estuary's infl uence than salinity alone.
Wildlife Species Estuaries support many of the same species that are present in the marine environment described Semiahmoo Park above (refer to “Species” section under “Marine Habitat”. Some species, such as oysters, are more and nutrients to downstream areas, and thereby abundant in estuaries. serve as important migration routes for many wildlife species. Riparian areas, though small in FRESHWATER HABITAT overall size, are one of the most important sources Freshwater bodies include lakes, rivers, creeks, of wildlife biodiversity in the landscape. wetlands, riparian areas, and all other types of water bodies not included in estuaries or marine Riparian areas in Whatcom County are located habitat that have a low ocean salt content. along the Nooksack and Lummi Rivers and all Freshwater habitats support different wildlife stream corridors. These areas are covered with than saltwater systems, particularly species that riparian vegetation and should be considered depend on wetland vegetation. However, 87% of important wildlife corridors. all wildlife and fi sh species are estimated to depend on streams, wetlands, or other freshwater bodies Wetlands during some part of their life cycle for drinking Freshwater wetland habitats are water bodies water, foraging, nesting, and migratory movements. less than 20 acres in size or less than 6 feet in depth and include marshes, swamps, bogs, Riparian areas - are the vegetated corridors seeps, wet meadows, shallow ponds, and lakes. located along rivers, streams, and springs. Like riparian areas, wetlands are very productive, Riparian corridors have free-fl owing water or supporting diverse and dense populations of plants moist conditions that result in high water tables, and animals. The wooded areas that are located certain soil characteristics, and vegetation that is adjacent to wetlands provide nesting areas, forage, transitional between freshwater and terrestrial. The and cover that are critical to wetland-dependent transitional edges are usually defi ned by a change species, such as waterfowl and small mammals in plant composition, relative plant abundance, and including beaver. the end of high soil moisture content. Riparian and wetland vegetation provides signifi cant Riparian corridors transport water, soil, plant seeds, food and cover for wildlife. Generally, riparian
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 20 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 areas and wetlands provide substantially more breeding areas for great blue heron, harlequin important wildlife habitat than drier forested areas. duck breeding areas, regular occurrences of mink, Riparian areas are also passageways for wildlife regular concentrations of snow geese, regular moving between or around developed areas. concentrations of trumpeter and tundra swans, Riparian vegetation also helps maintain optimum and signifi cant breeding areas and large wintering fi sh spawning conditions by providing shade, bank concentrations of all waterfowl except Canada stabilization, a breeding ground for insects, and a geese in urban areas. source of organic material for streams. Fish habitat and species Hundreds of small ponds and wetlands are located County streams provide freshwater habitat for throughout the county directly connected to rivers, various species of anadromous fi sh, including streams, lakes, or the bays. The surface water area salmon and sea-run trout that live in saltwater varies considerably in these systems depending on but return to spawn in freshwater. These fi sh the time of year. species have evolved over time to fi t the specifi c characteristics of their stream of origin, and are Wetlands perform a variety of functions including: uniquely imprinted compared with other members of the same species. • providing habitat for fi sh and wildlife, • maintaining water quality by fi ltering pollutants, Anadromous fi sh require cool, uncontaminated removing sediments, producing oxygen and water with healthy streambeds and insect recycling nutrients, populations. Vegetated riparian areas maintain • reducing fl oods, and stream habitats critical to fi sh by stabilizing water • recharging ground water. temperature, producing an insect supply, controlling erosion, and providing woody debris. In 1991 Whatcom County Planning & Development Services inventoried the wetlands that cover Chinook salmon (Puget Sound) and bull trout, both Whatcom County. The inventories identifi ed and found in Whatcom County, are candidates on the evaluated wetlands that included bogs, forested Washington State and federal threatened species wetlands, scrub/shrub wetlands, wet meadows, lists. Other special status/priority fi sh species that shallow marsh wetlands, deep marsh wetlands, and rely on freshwater habitat in Whatcom County open water wetlands (lakes or ponds). Wetlands are include coho salmon, chum salmon, pink salmon, found distributed throughout the county. sockeye salmon, rainbow trout/steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout. Lakes - are water bodies greater than 20 acres in size or more than 6 feet in depth. The deeper Factors that have caused the diminishment of waters and larger surface of a lake support many wild runs of anadromous fi sh in Whatcom County fi sh and wildlife species. However, most species include: prefer to nest and forage in shallower ponds and the wetlands that adjoin larger open water bodies. • forest clearcutting and land developments - that create sediment loads which increase water Numerous lakes are located in the central and turbidity and silt in gravel spawning beds; western parts of the county, including Silver Lake, Lake Terrell, Lake Padden, Lake Samish, Squires • clearcutting tree stands in riparian areas – that Lake, Cain Lake, Emerald Lake, Canyon Lake, remove natural shading which increases water Tennant Lake, Wiser Lake, Fazon Lake, Squalicum temperatures; and Lake and Lake Whatcom. Ross and Baker Lakes in the eastern portion of the county were formed by • water diversions – that restrict access to the impounding the Skagit River. In all there are over upper reaches and spawning areas of rivers. forty named lakes in Whatcom County. TERRESTRIAL HABITAT Wildlife species Terrestrial habitat includes those lands located Special status/priority wildlife species (or particular above freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats. relationships between species and habitat) that These areas extend from the level lowlands that rely on freshwater habitat in Whatcom County for border marshes, rivers, etc., to the tops of bluffs, at least part of the year or part of their life cycle foothills and mountains in Whatcom County. include: bald eagle, Cascades frog, Columbia spotted frog, common loon, red-legged frog, tailed frog, western toad, cavity-nesting ducks,
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 21 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Plants meadows which may contain agricultural crops, Natural plant communities are described in terms of woody vegetation, grasses, and wildfl owers. These broad vegetation patterns called vegetation zones. areas provide food for migratory waterfowl and Washington plant communities are divided into deer, habitat for birds and small mammals, and three major vegetation groupings including: hunting grounds for predators like garter snakes, barn owls, red-tailed hawks, and coyotes. • forests, • grasslands and shrub/grass communities, and Many wildlife species can tolerate urban • timberline and alpine areas. development as long as some adjacent habitat and connecting migration corridors remain undisturbed, Western Whatcom County contains three primary and large reserves remain connected by natural forested vegetation zones: the Western Hemlock, migration corridors. These corridors enable species Pacifi c Silver Fir, and Mountain Hemlock zones. to colonize new areas, forage for food, fi nd mates, These zones are defi ned by their elevation which and exchange genes with neighboring populations. affects temperature and vegetation types. Wildlife Species Much of western Whatcom County is located Special status/priority wildlife species (or particular within the Western Hemlock zone. This zone is the relationships between species and habitat) that most extensive vegetation zone in all of western rely on terrestrial habitat in Whatcom County Washington, extending from the Pacifi c coast to an for at least part of the year or part of their life elevation of about 2,500 feet, and characterized by cycle include: bald eagle, golden eagle, marbled a mild and generally wet climate. murrelet, northern goshawk, northern spotted owl, peregrine falcon, pileated woodpecker, purple The Western Hemlock zone is the major source of martin, Townsend’s big-eared bat, Vaux’s swift, commercially harvested coniferous trees including willow fl ycatcher, wolverine (very rare), band- Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, and western red tailed pigeon; roosting concentrations of big brown, cedar. Grand fi r, western white pine, and lodgepole Myotis and pallid bats; blue grouse, cavity-nesting pine also occur within this zone although on a ducks, regular large concentrations of /migration sporadic basis. corridors for Columbian black-tailed deer, regular occurrences of mink and marten, breeding areas Deciduous tree species, such as red alder, big leaf and regular concentrations of mountain goat; and maple, and paper birch, are generally dominant regular concentrations, calving areas, and migration on lands that have been cleared for urban and corridors for Roosevelt elk. agriculture uses in Whatcom County. Black cottonwood, willow, red alder and big-leaf maple, OTHER IMPORTANT HABITATS tend to grow along major watercourses. Whatcom County has a number of other specifi c habitat types that are critical to wildlife including Understory vegetation in the western hemlock caves, cliffs, urban natural open space, and snag- zone varies substantially depending upon soils, rich areas. wetness, and other environmental factors. Some typical understory species in this zone in Whatcom UNIQUE AND THREATENED County include Oregon grape, salal, vine maple, PLANT SPECIES salmonberry, and sword fern. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Natural Heritage Program has compiled Development in Whatcom County has substantially a list of endangered, threatened and otherwise reduced terrestrial habitat throughout the sensitive plant species in Washington State. years. However, valuable habitat still remains in Although these sensitive plant species have not yet undeveloped, large native forests. Some wildlife been offi cially tracked by county, the Koma Kulshan species may feed in more than one type of habitat Chapter of the Washington Native Plant Society has during the day but retreat for night and seasonal begun the process of compiling a list for Whatcom cover into upland wooded areas. Mature forests County. A list of the known occurrences of rare provide thermal cover during winter months plants in Whatcom County is provided at the end of allowing larger game mammals to forage up to this Appendix. 3,000 feet in elevation during normal seasons, or 2,000 feet during especially harsh winters.
Some previously forested portions of the county’s low-lying areas are now converted to pastures and
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 22 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 Toxic contaminants contained within urban stormwater runoff or industrial discharge can poison the marine water column and sediments creating tumors and poisonous concentrations in fi sh and invertebrate species.
Bulkhead, dock, and other waterfront structures can reduce the natural shoreline and affect the rate of natural beach deposition resulting in loss of vegetation and loss of the shoreline and intertidal habitat that support herring, smelt, and other fi sh.
Estuarine Habitat Some estuarine areas have been fi lled or drained in the past, especially around developed waterfront. The remaining unaltered estuarine areas may be protected by the Shoreline Management Act, which virtually prohibits further alterations.
Among the greatest risks to estuarine areas are contaminants that may enter the saltwater from oil transportation hazards and recreational boating activity and from freshwater by way of general stormwater pollution from agriculture, septic failures, and other degradations. Water quality risks are dramatically increased where land development Maple Creek Park activities occur along freshwater streams that feed an estuary. WILDLIFE HABITAT CONCERNS Freshwater Habitat Marine Habitat Some freshwater habitats have been altered in Urban development and forest cutting practices the county by landfi ll or piped diversions. Past along the shoreline can seriously impact the development activities adjacent to urban areas, marine environment by increasing the amount of particularly along the shorelines and waterfronts, suspended solids, pollutants, or freshwater entering have fi lled valuable wetland habitat areas. marine areas. Suspended solids introduced into saltwater can reduce light penetration, increase Among the greatest risks to freshwater habitats are sediment deposition, increase water temperature, contaminants that may enter the stormwater runoff and affect dissolved oxygen and pH balance, from agriculture, septic failures, and other urban thereby affecting all forms of marine habitat. land uses. Water quality risks are also dramatically increased where land development or timber An increase in turbidity as slight as 1% can reduce clearing activities increase erosion and siltation, light penetration and affect kelp and eelgrass beds. and where vegetation is cleared within the riparian An increase in sedimentation levels can smother buffer along freshwater corridors. eelgrass beds in shallow areas, as can long term exposure to sewage effl uent. Development activities most adversely affect the quality of freshwater habitat by removing Sedimentation created by natural or urban vegetation, and increasing silt, organic debris, erosion can cover shellfi sh beds and fi sh spawning and other stormwater contaminants that enter gravel. Shellfi sh beds can also be contaminated the natural drainage system. Generally, studies by chemical and bacterial discharge, and viruses have determined that the hydrological balance created by agriculture practices, failing septic of a stream begins to decline when 12% of the drainfi elds, sewage outfalls, and stormwater runoff. watershed becomes impervious. Some contaminants may not harm shellfi sh, but may adversely affect birds and other animals that Terrestrial Habitat feed on the shellfi sh. Considerable terrestrial habitat has been permanently lost by the clearing of lands for agriculture and urban land developments.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 23 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Commercial forest management practices have Within a park setting, the most intense park included replanting clearcuts with single species, activities must be separated from the most thereby reducing wildlife diversity and isolating sensitive habitats by creating conservancies, open habitat and migration corridors, particularly along space corridors, and other protected areas. riparian areas. This park, recreation, and open space plan seeks Fire suppression, particularly of naturally occurring to preserve and enhance critical and unique habitat wildfi res has reduced the amount and diversity of areas by purchasing development rights or title for meadowlands and other open areas necessary for regional parks, preserves and open space. foraging activities. For a detailed list of Whatcom County Threatened The greatest risk to the terrestrial habitat, however, or endangered plant species go to: is the continued pace of urban land conversions, particularly land development patterns that block or http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/lists/ demolish migration corridors, log timbered areas, plantsxco/whatcom.html remove riparian cover, erode productive topsoils, and introduce urban activities - potentially including LAKE WHATCOM FISH AND intense recreational uses - into wildlife areas. WILDLIFE SPECIES Lake Whatcom supports a variety of fi sh including As the most important habitats are isolated, wildlife native and introduced, cold and warm water species decline in diversity and number. Urban species. Fish species and wildlife that can be tolerant species, like raccoons and crows, invade found in Lake Whatcom include Kokanee, Cutthroat the remaining habitat from the urban edges, trout, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, amphibians, supplanting and driving out many native species. reptiles, 125 species of birds.
LAND USE IMPLICATIONS For a more detailed visit the Lake Whatcom Marine, estuarine, freshwater, and terrestrial Watershed managements news, information, and habitats contribute to the overall biological diversity website at: of the region and provide a number of additional environmental functions and values of interest to http://www.lakewhatcom.whatcomcounty.org/ Whatcom County residents. Many species depend about-the-lake/fi sh-and-wildlife on the constant interaction of all four of these habitat systems for food, cover, nesting, and other Some of the above species are listed on the State survival requirements. endangered, threatened, sensitive or candidate list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the National Impacts on plant, fi sh, and wildlife habitat can Marine Fisheries Service. be minimized by sensitive land use patterns, innovative design concepts, and performance http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/endangered/All/ oriented development standards that:
• replant - native vegetation along the shoreline and tidal boundaries, within the estuarine zone, and along drainage corridors,
• remove - artifi cial shoreline structures, barriers to the mixing of salt and freshwater, and freshwater impoundments or diversions,
• control – the content and quality of stormwater runoff that enters freshwater systems and marine and estuarine environments,
• cultivate – native trees and shrubs that support and retain native species, and
• cluster – roadways and other improvements to preserve natural shorelines and to provide contiguous open spaces as common lands.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Inventory Page 24 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Mission Statement: Enrich the quality of life for the community and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the County through the provision of outstanding parks, trails, open space, natural areas, recreational activities and senior services.
Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve 4. GOALS & OBJECTIVES Historic Preservation Identify and encourage the preservation of lands, POLICY FOUNDATION sites, and structures that have historical or The Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan is archaeological signifi cance reviewed every 8 years. It is currently undergoing a series of updates and is scheduled for adoption The following Whatcom County County-Wide in 2016. The Comprehensive Plan provides broad Planning Policies (Adopted April 1993 and revised guidance for Whatcom County activities. 3/11/97 & 1/25/05) are taken from the County’s Whatcom County’s Comprehensive Plan was Comprehensive Plan and pertain to parks and developed pursuant to the Growth Management recreation: Act (GMA) Planning Goals (RCW 36.70.020). Under GMA, goals were adopted to guide the H. Open Space/Greenbelt Corridors development and adoption of comprehensive plans 1. Adequate open space is vital to the quality of and development regulations of those counties and life and sense of place in Whatcom County. cities that are required or choose to plan under The county, cities, Port of Bellingham, RCW 36.70A.040. The following GMA planning and other appropriate jurisdictions should goals pertain to parks, recreation and open space coordinate protection of linked greenbelts, and are used exclusively for the purpose of guiding within and between Urban Growth Areas, the development of comprehensive plans and parks, and open space to protect wildlife development regulations: corridors and to enhance recreational opportunities, public access and trail Open Space and Recreation development. Encourage the retention of open space and development of recreational opportunities, conserve 2. The county and the cities shall plan for fi sh and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural greenbelts and open space in their resource lands and water, and develop parks. Comprehensive Planning processes and coordinate with each other. Open space Environment systems should include lands which contain Protect the environment and enhance the state's natural areas, habitat lands, natural drainage high quality of life, including air and water quality, features, and/or other environmental, and the availability of water.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 25 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
cultural and scenic resources. With increased acquire, enhance and maintain park lands, residential densities, jurisdictions also should trails, and other recreational facilities. ensure provision of adequate neighborhood parks and play areas within safe bicycling Policy 4F-2: Include acquisition and development and walking distance for children. costs in the six-year CIP for future trails projects. 3. The county and the cities shall encourage, to the extent it is feasible, separation of Urban Policy 4F-3: Develop a recreational facilities Growth Areas through planning, zoning, program that achieves and maintains the development regulations, open space level of service for athletic fi elds and courts, purchase, conservation easements and other trails, and support facilities for shoreline mechanisms which may be appropriate. access, picnicking, and camping without Also, an array of incentives such as density adding to capital costs. bonuses, design fl exibility and transferable development rights shall be offered to Policy 4F-4: Place a high priority on improvements affected land owners. to existing county recreational sites and facilities and using them to their full potential, 4. The County and Cities should work including those outlined in the Whatcom cooperatively to protect and restore stream County Comprehensive Park and Recreation corridors within Urban Growth Areas that Open Space Plan, before investing capital in support anadromous fi sh. the acquisition and development of new facilities. J. County-Wide Transportation Facilities and Strategies Policy 4F-5: Continue to provide centers for use by 7. Priorities shall be established and senior citizens and others. expenditures coordinated for county-wide bicycle and trail corridors. Bicycle and Goal 4G: Establish levels of service for roads, pedestrian-specifi c trails and other facilities parks, corrections, and administrative shall be included during project planning services. and review. Coordinated corridors and cost sharing should be explored among all Policy 4G-2: Adopt the following level of service responsible and interested parties. standards for park facilities:
L. Impact Fees • Developed Parks: 9.6 acres per 1,000 1. The county and the cities are encouraged population to adopt fair and reasonable impact and/ • Trails: 0.60 of a mile per 1,000 population or mitigation fee ordinances to ensure that • Activity Centers: fi ve centers per 100,000 new growth pays its fair share of the cost population of capital facilities, such as transportation improvements, parks, and schools. Goal 4K: Consider alternative funding sources to assure levels of service Within the Comprehensive plan there are chapters adopted in the plan. which include goals, objectives, and associated policies that apply to park, recreation and open Policy 4K-1: After all other fi nancing options have space activities. These include but are not limited to been exhausted, consider the use of bonded the following: indebtedness to fi nance major capital investments in infrastructure. Goal 4F: Achieve level of service targets for park and recreational Policy 4K-2: Identify and promote public private facilities identifi ed in this chapter partnerships to provide and enhance the and which support objectives and provision of necessary services. priorities identifi ed in the Comprehensive Park and Goal 4L: Ensure that capital facilities Recreation Open Space Plan, in provide protection for threatened the Natural Heritage Plan, and in and endangered fi sh and wildlife this plan. species.
Policy 4F-1: Seek non-capital opportunities to Policy 4L-1: Fish and wildlife habitat should be
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 26 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
carefully considered when selecting projects • The Mount Baker outdoor recreation area. for the Six-Year Capital Improvement Program. • Farmers markets and other natural resource based activities. Goal 6M: Promote bicycle and pedestrian travel by systematically providing safe • Projects, events and activities of and convenient routes and facilities unincorporated areas such as Point where feasible. Roberts, Birch Bay and East County.
Policy 6M-1: Encourage safe and effi cient Goal 7G: Coordinate economic development bikeways that link populated areas of the with environmental, resource, and other county with travel destinations. comprehensive land use and open space policies and measures to enhance the Policy 6M-2: Recognize public safety, education community's overall quality of life. and law enforcement as integral to the development of bicycle transportation Policy 7G-1: Recognize the natural environment opportunities in Whatcom County. as a major asset and manage environmental resources accordingly. Policy 6M-4: Identify needed rights-of-way for bicycles. Policy 7G-3: Provide support to Whatcom County's tourist industry to maintain and enhance a Policy 6M-5: Include internal pedestrian circulation balance between the economic benefi ts of systems as well as links to external systems tourism and the local quality of life. in development projects. Goal 7H: To promote economic diversity, Policy 6M-6: Develop a system of off road continue to support the resource trail networks for non-motorized industries as signifi cant elements of transportation to link population centers, the local economy including the employment centers and recreation areas. employment base.
Policy 6M-8: Implement as a priority the goals, Policy 7H-2: Work with other agencies and groups policies and recommendations of the latest to improve the condition of the fi shery Whatcom County Bicycle Plan. resource, including habitat maintenance and enhancement, especially for habitats utilized Goal 7E: Enhance the economic trade, tourism by threatened and endangered fi sh species. and industrial siting advantages of the county's location adjacent to the Policy 7H-7: Encourage growth of tourism and Canadian border. recreational activities and businesses that provide for diversity of the natural resource Policy 7E-1: Support attractions for Canadians and industry, provided that they comply with the other visitors so they will remain in the countywide planning policies, and preserve community longer and distribute their the rural character of the area. spending throughout the community. Some of the examples would include support Goal 7K: Enable a geographic balance for for such items as the following: economic growth within the capacities of the county’s natural • Events such as the "Ski to Sea" race and resources, natural systems, public festival. services, and public facilities.
• The Whatcom Museum of History and Art, Policy 7K-4: Consider establishing more resource Mount Baker Theater, other historic and and tourism based recreational, commercial, cultural centers, and community and industrial uses to create economic revitalization efforts. opportunity in the rural areas of the county. • Parks and open spaces.
• The Bellingham Festival of Music.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 27 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Goal 8D: Reduce land use confl icts between Goal 9B: Provide multi-use camping parks to Whatcom County’s agriculture and non- serve county resident needs as well as agricultural landowners. provide a tourism draw.
Policy 8D-9: Encourage low intensity recreational Policy 9B-1: All the policy statements and design activities which sustain and are compatible standards for day use parks should also with agricultural uses. apply to multi-use camping parks.
Goal 8I: Ensure that forest practices avoid Policy 9B-2: Because camping parks will attract adverse impacts to the habitat of many non-county residents, they should be threatened and endangered fi sh and recognized for their tourism value but at wildlife species. the same time county residents should not subsidize the cost of camping. Policy 8I-1: Ensure that adequate riparian buffers are maintained along rivers and streams. Policy 9B-3: A wide variety of camping types should be offered including primitive sites, Policy 8I-2: Minimize sedimentation to rivers and tent sites, full-service RV sites and group streams. camping areas.
Goal 9A: Address county-wide recreational Policy 9B-4: The camping areas should be needs by adequate provision of day use physically separated from the other parts parks. of the park with the ability to be closed off during winter months. Policy 9A-1: Because the cities currently provide the highly developed urban parks, the Policy 9B-5: Most large camping areas should be county's role should be to provide rural day designed to a high standard with full-service use parks that are centered around a unique hookups, fl ush toilets and rest rooms, feature or recreation opportunity. showers, laundry and other support facilities.
Policy 9A-2: Because of the unique features of Policy 9B-6: Future Park development should the site, location within the county is not too consider the fi nancial ability of the county, important although they must have good and should focus on existing park lands road access. before considering further acquisition.
Policy 9A-3: Development standards will Goal 9C: Expand outdoor recreation vary according to the use intended. For opportunities for county residents the intensive use park areas, all facilities by providing enjoyable trails for hiking, and improvements should be built to a horseback riding, bicycling, walking, high standard and designed to be easily boating, and other trail activities maintained. in a safe environment.
Policy 9A-4: All parks must be designed to create Policy 9C-1: Trails should be interesting and a minimal impact upon surrounding property attractive. Trails which follow natural water and to the site itself. courses, pass signifi cant natural resources, traverse interesting scenery or cross areas of Policy 9A-5: Day use parks should be designed outstanding beauty provide interesting and with one entrance and control point so that enjoyable experiences for the trail user. entrance fees can be charged. Policy 9C-2: Trails should be looped and Policy 9A-6: If possible, day use parks should be interconnected to provide a variety of located on an existing or proposed trail route. trail lengths and destinations.
Policy 9A-7: The parks should be designed to Policy 9C-3: Trails should link other recreational accommodate a range of age groups and uses in the Foothills area and connect to interests. existing trail systems in the National Forest and state land. Policy 9A-8: The County should only accept sites that meet the above standards. Policy 9C-4: The wet climate of Whatcom County
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 28 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
may preclude extensive multi-use of some confl ict with goals to protect wildlife, public trails or require seasonal limitations on their health and safety. use. Trail routes should take into account soil conditions, steep slopes, surface Policy 9C-16: Implement the goals, policies and drainage and other physical limitations that recommendations of the latest Whatcom could impact the areas from over-use. County Bicycle Plan and continue to update the plan as needs and conditions change. Policy 9C-5: Bicycle trails should provide opportunities for the recreational rider as Policy 9C-17: Promote the integration of well as the touring and commuter bicyclist. trails within subdivisions, planned unit developments and other development Policy 9C-6: Bicycle routes and paths should proposals that provide internal circulation minimize the confl icts between motorists and connect to nearby opportunities. and bicyclists. Policy 9C-18: Acquisition of and planning for trail Policy 9C-7: Hiking trails should have a variety of corridors should be encouraged as new lengths and grades for the casual stroller as subdivisions and development occurs, if the well as the serious hiker. trail has been identifi ed in a park, trail, open space or other plan adopted by Whatcom Policy 9C-8: Hiking trails should reach areas County. of natural beauty with the purpose of permitting the hiker to seek areas of solitude Goal 9D: Provide specialized recreation and get away from the built environment. areas taking advantage of unique opportunities to serve both county Policy 9C-9: Equestrian trails should be accessible residents and visitors. most of the year. Some equestrian trails should be close-in to the urban areas. Policy 9D-1: Because these facilities are unique, adopt specifi c standards for each one Policy 9C-10: Adequate parking, signage, trash individually. receptacles, and toilet facilities should be provided at all major trailheads. Policy 9D-2: Explore need for neighborhood parks as undeveloped areas of county increase in Policy 9C-11: Where public funds are used density. to construct or maintain dikes, levees or revetments, public access should be Policy 9D-3: Encourage development of sport encouraged for trail purposes, where fi eld complexes to meet the needs of appropriate. organized recreation activities, using public and private partnerships where possible. Policy 9C-12: Water trails for non- motorized boats should be identifi ed with provisions made Policy 9D-4: Promote the integration of for parking, launching areas, and places of recreational and open space opportunities interest along the water route where boats in subarea planning, subdivisions and other can land. development proposals.
Policy 9C-13: Work toward partnering with other Policy 9D-5: The dedication and acquisition of agencies and the public to accomplish open space and recreation opportunities recreational goals. should be encouraged as new subdivisions and development occurs. Policy 9C-14: Investigate multi-solutions that will accommodate several county goals, Goal 9E: Recognize the shoreline as one such as recreation, water retention, and of Whatcom County’s unique assets fl ood prevention measures, utilizing a similar and provide adequate physical and piece of property. visual access for resent and future generations. Policy 9C-15: Sharing of corridors for major utilities, trails and other transportation Policy 9E-1: As economically feasible, rights-of-way is encouraged when not in acquire for public use as much of the
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 29 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
saltwater shoreline as possible. Department of Natural Resources and the Public and private resources should be Forest Service, some joint solution may be explored to further this policy. A reasonable possible. goal is to acquire for public access a minimum of 15% of the saltwater shoreline Goal 9H: Encourage multi-use indoor activity and adjacent tidelands in Whatcom County. centers to meet the needs of the population using public and private Policy 9E-2: Continue to review the Nooksack partnerships where possible. River Plan (Jones and Jones, 1973) and implement those elements which are Policy 9H-1: Support multi-use of the existing benefi cial, appropriate and economically senior/community centers to maximize their feasible. full potential.
Policy 9E-3: Provide pedestrian, interpretative Policy 9H-2: Continue the cooperation between and small boat access sites for a diversity of the County and the Cities and Point Roberts public shoreline. Park District on ownership and management of the existing senior/community centers. Goal 9F: Identify large undeveloped parcels of land with unique or attractive features Policy 9H-3: Evaluate the cost/benefi t ratio of and with the cooperation/coordination adding a multi-purpose facility on the of public agencies and private property owned by the Parks Department landowners provide conservation at Smith and Northwest Roads to meet the opportunities and, where possible, expanding demand by all age groups in the public access. Bellingham/Ferndale growth corridor.
Policy 9F-1: Thoroughly study each of the Policy 9H-4: Expand the Plantation Rifl e Range Recreation Resource Management Areas to meet the needs of citizens and law (RRMA) identifi ed in the Comprehensive Park enforcement agencies. and Recreation Open Space Plan to identify their unique features, scenic quality and Policy 9H-5: Acquire property for a buffer area open space value. Studies should then be around the Plantation Rifl e Range to insure made to determine how these qualities can the ability to continue its use in the future. be preserved for future generations. Policy 9H-6: Continue to utilize the Roeder Home Policy 9F-2: Trail systems within the RRMAs should as the cultural arts facility fl agship while be used for non-motorized trail activities utilizing partnerships, leased space, or only. creative opportunities to accommodate program expansion. Policy 9F-3: While Whatcom County will probably not own the land within the RRMAs, it should Policy 9H-7: Continue to monitor the need for take on a major management role to ensure additional aquatic facilities in the community, that its recreation and open space value is with the basic assumption that Whatcom maintained. County will not be an indoor aquatic provider in the near future. Policy 9F-4: A special advisory committee should be formed of users and land owners of the Policy 9H-8: Continue to search for partnerships RRMAs. Their role will be to inventory, plan with other public agencies and private and prepare recommendations regarding groups in providing recreation facilities the management of these areas. such as golf facilities, camping, and resort centers. Goal 9G: Coordinate with the DNR to provide ORV opportunities. Policy 9H-9: Expand the partnership concept to incorporate school buildings and other public Policy 9G-1: Recognizing that there will continue or private facilities which can accommodate to be a demand for ORV riding, the county meetings and recreational functions. should continue to assess its role in the ORV program. Between the Washington State Goal 10D: Retain the natural landscape diversity and open space experience.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 30 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 Goal 10E: Recognize Whatcom County's conjunction with representatives of arts, historical and archeological attributes heritage, and tourism organizations, to and identify and encourage the develop strategies for preserving and preservation of lands, sites, and enhancing cultural resources. structures that have historic or archeological signifi cance. Policy 10E-11: The County shall continue to cooperate with cultural groups and the Policy 10E-1: Whatcom County shall prepare organized representatives of the tourism a cultural resource inventory to identify industry to promote cultural tourism and and document archeological and historic ensure that cultural tourism projects remain resources. eligible for funding assistance through its hotel/motel tax fund program. Policy 10E-2: The County’s cultural resource inventory shall be updated Goal 10L: Protect and enhance special on a continuing basis to ensure the places and focal points which defi ne inventory’s usefulness as a historic character and provide the diversity that preservation and land use tool. is Whatcom County.
Policy 10E-3: The County’s cultural resource Goal 10N: Utilize built and natural corridors inventory shall be coordinated with similar and connections to heighten awareness programs maintained by municipalities of "place". and indigenous people within the county to ensure the comprehensiveness of the inventory.
Policy 10E-4: Consistent with its resources and based on the standards of the cultural resources inventory, the county shall provide technical assistance to local groups whose work can be incorporated into the county’s inventory.
Policy 10E-5: The County shall seek to preserve and enhance archeological, historic, and cultural resources by enacting a qualifying historic preservation ordinance and carrying out the mandates of that ordinance.
Policy 10E-6: The County shall meet its cultural resource management obligation under federal, state, and local regulations in an effi cient and effective manner.
Policy 10E-7: Consistent with its resources, the county shall provide technical assistance on cultural resource matters.
Policy 10E-8: The County shall promote preservation of identifi ed archeological, historic, and cultural resources.
Policy 10E-9: On projects under its authority, the county shall consistently seek to mitigate negative impacts to cultural resources.
Policy 10E-10: The County shall undertake through a public/ private partnership a coordinated long-range planning in
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 31 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
The following 2008 adopted Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan goals, objectives Development, operation and maintenance: and actions have been updated and revised for this Whatcom County will develop, operate and maintain plan: open space, trails, or park facilities and recreational programs when: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES REVISED • the facility will have broad benefi ts for a large Whatcom County has undertaken a modifi ed proportion of the countywide population and strategic approach to regional or countywide fi nanced using resident approved methods, services where Whatcom County assumes responsibility for functions no other agency or • facility development and operating costs will organization can provide, and helps coordinate or be recaptured from direct charges of the support those functions and activities that have populations who use the facility, or other viable sponsors and partners. For example: • facility development and operating costs will be Coordinating activities: compensated in some manner through inter- Whatcom County provides central information and local agreements with the using agency, area or coordination services for open space, trail, park benefi ting user group, particularly where the facilities and recreational programs on a countywide demands will originate from a regional service basis. requirement, or
Planning and development assistance: • the facility will generate economic Whatcom County will provide planning and benefi ts for the area, or development assistance when: • the site or facility has intrinsic value apart • there are no other designated agencies or from traditional operation and maintenance organization who can, needs, like a passive natural area or wetland preservation. • the activity involves siting controversies or environmental consequences that may not The following goals and objectives are based on be equitably resolved otherwise within the a strategic approach to regional or countywide Whatcom County urban growth or community services, an analysis of existing open space, trail, planning areas, or park, and recreation conditions, and the results of workshop planning sessions and surveys. • proposed developments will be within city urban growth areas and thus potentially annexed PRESERVES AND OPEN SPACE into corporate limits but currently subject to Goal: Whatcom County authority. Provide protection for a diversifi ed system of signifi cant and critical habitats and environmental areas that protect threaten species, watersheds, migration corridors, forestlands, tidelands, open spaces and scenic areas.
Objectives: Assume a major responsibility for the planning, coordination, and preservation of unique environmental areas, fl oodplains, wetlands, wildlife habitat, open spaces, agricultural lands, forestlands, and scenic areas.
Work with all other public and private agencies, particularly the cities, Port of Bellingham, Washington State Departments of Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Transportation, and Whatcom County and Lummi Island Land Trusts, among others, to create an effective approach to the following regional conservation issues and Nesset Farm proposals.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 32 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 Wildlife habitat Farmlands a: Identify and conserve critical wildlife habitat a: Identify and protect agricultural resources in including nesting sites, foraging areas, and Whatcom County including lands and soils migration corridors within or adjacent to natural that can provide productive crop, livestock, areas, open spaces, and the developing urban and other agricultural products. Develop and areas – such as the Terrell Creek Heron Colony utilize protective farm resource zoning districts and Tennant Lake Wildlife Area. and designations, special tax incentives, development rights, public land ownership and b: Preserve sensitive habitat sites that support management, and other measures to preserve threatened species and urban wildlife habitat this valuable resource. - including the saltwater shorelines of Birch, Lummi and Bellingham Bays, Drayton Harbor, b: Identify and conserve farmlands and the scenic and Chuckanut Bay, and the freshwater attributes agriculture provides between rural and shorelines of Silver Lake, Lake Whatcom and urban land uses – especially including the rural Lake Samish, and the Nooksack and Lummi farm landscapes in the valleys around Lynden, Rivers. Sumas, and Nooksack.
Natural areas c: Identify and preserve prime examples of a: Preserve and protect signifi cant environmental heritage farmsteads in Whatcom County – such features including unique wetlands, open as the Hovander and Nesset Farms. spaces, woodlands, shorelines, waterfronts and other characteristics that support wildlife Open spaces and refl ect Whatcom County’s resource heritage a: Defi ne and establish a system of open space – especially including the valleys of the North, corridors or separators to provide defi nition Middle, and South Forks of the Nooksack River. between natural areas and urban land uses within Whatcom County’s emerging urban b: Provide public access to environmentally centers especially including the Nooksack River sensitive areas and sites that are especially corridor and delta, and the Interstate 5 and Lake unique to Whatcom County – especially Samish corridor. including Drayton Harbor, Bellingham Bay, Chuckanut Bay, and Lummi and Portage Islands. b: Increase natural area and open space linkages within the developing urban areas - particularly Forestlands along the current and former UP, NP, BN&SF, a: Identify and protect forest resources in Whatcom BB&BC, and BB&E Railroad corridors. County – including public and private forestlands that can provide productive timber and other Urban growth preserves and set-asides: wood products. Develop and utilize protective a: Cooperate with other public and private forest resource zoning districts and designations, agencies, and with private landowners to set- special tax incentives, public land ownership and aside land and resources necessary to provide management, and other measures to preserve high quality, convenient open space, trail, and this valuable resource. park facilities before the most suitable sites are lost to development – particularly the b: Identify and conserve forest cover and the lands around Stewart, Lookout, and Chuckanut scenic attributes woodlands provide between Mountains. rural and urban land uses especially including the viewscapes along the Interstate 5/Lake b: Preserve unique environmental features or Samish and SR-9 corridors and between the areas in future land developments and increase Twin Sisters and Chuckanut Mountains (North public use and access. Cooperate with other Cascades Corridor) public and private agencies, and with private landowners to set aside unique features or areas c: Identify and preserve prime examples of as publicly accessible resources – including lands heritage forestlands in Whatcom County – such adjacent to Birch Bay State Park, Semiahmoo as the old growth forests in and around Canyon Spit, Bellingham Airport, and Larrabee State Lake Community Forest and the extensive Park. woodlands on Chuckanut, Lookout and Stewart and Sumas Mountains.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 33 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 HISTORICAL RESOURCES bike, and horse trails, on-road bicycle touring Goal: routes and scenic drives, and cross country ski Assume a major responsibility for the planning, and snowmobile trails that are directly related to coordination, and preservation of unique environmental resources that are of most interest archaeological, historical, cultural, scenic, and to county residents. man-made places, sites, landmarks, and vistas. Objectives: Objectives: Work with all other public and private agencies, Work with all other public and private agencies, particularly the cities, Port of Bellingham, particularly the cities, Port of Bellingham, Lummi Washington State Departments of Fish & Wildlife, Nation, Whatcom County and Lummi Island Land Natural Resources, and Transportation, Washington Trusts, Whatcom County and Washington State State Parks & Recreation Commission, US Forest Historical Societies, among others, to create Service, and National Park Service, to develop and an effective approach to the following regional maintain the following integrated system of regional resource conservation issues and proposals. trails.
Historical features and interests: Water trails – non-motorized craft a: Identify, preserve, and enhance Whatcom a: Incorporate and extend the Cascade Marine Trail, County's multicultural heritage, traditions, a saltwater trail network for hand-carry or car- and cultural features including historical sites, top craft including canoes and kayaks, extending buildings, artworks, views, and monuments from British Columbia and through Puget Sound, within park sites and historical districts. with launch sites into Drayton Harbor, Birch, Lummi, Bellingham, and Chuckanut Bays, with b: Identify and incorporate signifi cant historical access to Lummi and Portage Islands. and cultural lands, sites, artifacts, and facilities into the open space, trail, and park system to b: Develop a freshwater trail network for hand- preserve these interests and provide a balanced carry or car-top craft including launch sites for social experience – especially including important canoes and kayaks that extends the length of Native American, railroad, mining, logging, and the Nooksack River from Maple Falls and Deming shipping sites and places of interest. to Bellingham Bay, and Lake Whatcom. c: Work with Washington State and Whatcom c: Designate appropriate bad weather pull ins and County Historical Societies, and other overnight camping locations along the major archaeological and cultural groups to incorporate saltwater trail routes – including Lighthouse historical and cultural activities into park Marine Park, Semiahmoo Spit, Birch Bay State developments and recreational programs. Park, Cherry Point, Lummi and Portage Islands, and Larrabee State Park, among others. Manmade environments and features Designate overnight camping locations along a: Incorporate interesting manmade the major freshwater route on the Nooksack environments, structures, activities, and areas River - including Deming, Nugent’s Corner River into the open space, trail, and park system to Access, Lynden, Hovander Homestead Park, preserve these features and provide a balanced among others, and along the shoreline of Lake recreational experience – especially including Whatcom. Military Road and Guide Meridian, the UP, NP, BB&BC, BB&E Railroads and Interurban Trolley, d: Develop and operate canoe, kayak, crew, and Steamer and Mosquito Fleet landings, and other non-motorized craft instruction, rental, sawmills and mines. and storage facilities at major freshwater locations – including Silver and Samish Lakes b: Work with property and facility owners to and Lake Whatcom. increase public access and utilization of these special sites and features. On-road rural and scenic byways – vehicles and bicycle touring TRAILS, GREENWAYS AND a: Identify a countywide system of rural and SCENIC BYWAYS backcountry scenic driving routes and Goal: byways that access and highlight the scenic, Plan, develop and operate a system of on and off- environmental, farmland, and historical road regional trails. Regional trail facilities may attributes of Whatcom County – especially include fresh and saltwater trails, off-road hike, including Drayton Harbor and Birch Bay, Lummi
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 34 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Island and Bellingham Bay, Chuckanut, Lake Park, Silver Lake Park, Birch Bay State Park, and Samish, and Lake Whatcom Drives, South Pass Larrabee State Park, among others. Road, SR-9 and the Mount Baker Highway. Integrate the countywide system with other e: Furnish off-road trails with appropriate state and federal byways through the North supporting trailhead improvements that include Cascades, Skagit and Island Counties. interpretive and directory signage systems, rest stops, restrooms, parking and loading areas, b: Develop a series of roadside rest stops, water, and other services. viewpoints, interpretive exhibits, and byway signage systems that integrate the scenic routes f: Where appropriate, locate trailheads at or in with specifi c historical, cultural, environmental, conjunction with park sites, schools, and other and scenic points of interest – such as community facilities to increase local area Semiahmoo Spit in Drayton Harbor, Sandy Point access to countywide trail systems and reduce in Lummi Bay, Lummi Island and Chuckanut duplication of supporting improvements. Island in Chuckanut Bay, among others. g: Where appropriate, install telephones, c: Integrate byway routes and points of interest emergency call boxes, or other means by which to access parks, public facilities, museums trail users can summon fi re, emergency aid, and historical sites, and business districts – police, and other safety and security personnel especially in Blaine, Ferndale, Bellingham, should the need arise. Lynden, Nooksack, Sumas, Kendall, and the Mount Baker Highway. h: Develop trail improvements of a design and development standard that is easy to maintain d: For bicycle touring enthusiasts, designate and access by maintenance, security, and other appropriate overnight bicycle camping locations appropriate personnel, equipment, and vehicles. along the major routes and byways – such as Lighthouse Marine Park, Hovander Homestead Winter trails Park, Silver Lake Park, Birch Bay State Park, and a: Designate a system of appropriate winter Larrabee State Park, among others. cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails that access safe and secure back roads, trail Off-road trail systems corridors, parks, and public and private lands a: Create a comprehensive system of off road in Whatcom County – including Black Mountain hike, bike, and horse trails that access scenic, Ranch, Canyon Lake, and Skookum Creek. Link environmental, historical, and open space the county winter trails system with the more attributes of Whatcom County – especially extensive winter trails networks designated on including the Nooksack River, original UP, NP, US Forest Service and National Park Service BB&BC, BB&E railroad corridors, old logging and lands in the Mount Baker/Snoqualmie National mining roads, and where appropriate, within the Forest and North Cascades National Park. road rights-of way, as well as across cooperating private properties where appropriate. Off-road vehicle and ATV a: Identify, and when and where appropriate, b: Develop a series of trailheads, trailside rest provide coordination for off-road motorcycle, stops, viewpoints, interpretive exhibits, and trail ATV, and 4-wheel drive vehicle riding courses, signage systems that integrate the off-road hike, trails, and areas in Whatcom County. bike, and horse trails with specifi c historical, cultural, environmental, and scenic points of REGIONAL PARKS AND WATER interest – such as former steam boat landings, ACCESS fi sh traps, sawmills, mining sites, farmsteads, Goal: railroads, and roads, among others. Plan, develop, manage and operate a system of Regional Parks. These facilities may include c: Integrate continuous off-road trail corridors resource-oriented activities including fi shing sites, and local spur or loop routes with parks, public boat access ramps, swimming beaches, picnicking facilities, museums and historical sites, and areas, and campgrounds that are directly related to business districts in cities. environmental and historical resources that are of countywide interest to residents. d: For overnight trail users, develop appropriate overnight camping locations along the major Objectives: trail corridors – such as Hovander Homestead Work with all other public and private agencies,
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 35 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 particularly the Port of Bellingham, Washington Objectives: State Departments of Fish & Wildlife and Natural Help coordinate and assist other public and Resources, Washington State Parks & Recreation private agencies cities, school and park districts, Commission, US Forest Service, and National Park nonprofi ts and sports leagues and commissions. Service, to develop and operate the following Such coordination will seek to site and sponsor appropriate resource park facilities. development of major competitive outdoor athletic facilities, centers and facilities for all age and skill Waterfront access and facilities groups within reasonable geographic service areas a: Acquire and develop additional salt and of major population centers. freshwater shoreline access for waterfront fi shing, beachcombing, wading, swimming, and Athletic fi elds other related recreational activities and pursuits a: Identify and help plan a network of sites that – especially including sites on Drayton Harbor, can be developed (such as soccer, softball, and Birch, Lummi, and Bellingham Bays, Silver Lake, baseball fi elds) that meet the highest quality Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, and the Nooksack competitive practice and playing standards and River. requirements for all age groups, skill levels, and recreational interests – including new possible b: Develop a mixture of salt and freshwater non- sites at Bay Horizion Park, East Whatcom motorized and powerboat access opportunities Regional Resource Center, Ferndale and Mt Baker – especially including additional sites and Highway/Nooksack. improvements to existing properties on Drayton Harbor, Lummi Island, Birch and Bellingham Community centers Bays, Lake Whatcom and Samish, and the a: Designate a network of multipurpose community Nooksack River. centers that can be developed to provide arts and crafts, music, video, classroom instruction, Picnicking and day-use activities meeting facilities, eating and health care, a: Acquire and develop additional countywide daycare, latch key, and other spaces for all age picnic sites, shelters, and day-use group picnic groups including preschool, youth, teens, and grounds and camps at major resource parks and seniors on a year-round basis. along major off-road trail corridors throughout Whatcom County – especially including sites on b: Support the continued development and Point Roberts, Semiahmoo Spit, Birch Bay, diversifi cation by the Whatcom County school Cherry Point, Lummi Island, Lake Whatcom and districts and other organizations of special Samish, South Pass, and at intervals along the meeting, assembly, and other community Nooksack River including Hovander Homestead facilities that provide general support to school Park. age populations and the community-at-large at elementary, middle, and high schools within Campgrounds and retreats Whatcom County urban growth and community a: Acquire and develop a countywide system of planning areas. tent, recreational vehicle, yurt, cabin, lodge, and retreat facilities at major resource parks and c: Develop special outdoor cultural and performing along major off-road trail corridors throughout arts facilities that enhance and expand Whatcom County – especially including sites music, dance, drama, cultural and historical on Point Roberts, Cherry Point, Lakes Whatcom interpretations, and other audience and and Samish, Acme, and at intervals along the participatory opportunities for the county- Nooksack River. at-large – including a festival events area at Hovander Homestead Park. SPECIAL USE AREAS AND FACILITIES Special enterprises Goal: a: Where appropriate and economically feasible Assist with the planning of special use areas such as (self-supporting), designate and support athletic parks, community centers. These facilities operation of specialized and special interest may include competitive soccer, softball, and recreational facilities like canoe and crew houses, baseball, rugby and La Crosse fi elds, meeting and equestrian centers, gun ranges, historical activity centers and special enterprises that are of museums and exhibits, retreats and conference countywide interest. centers for these interests in the general population.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 36 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 b: Where appropriate, initiate joint planning and that document and develop awareness of operating programs with other public and private Whatcom County’s heritage at county park sites agencies to determine and provide for special and properties. activities like marinas, ATV and off-road vehicle courses, and camping on a regional basis. CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAMS Goal: RECREATIONAL AND Help facilitate, organize, coordinate, and selectively INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS develop high quality, diversifi ed cultural arts Goal: facilities and programs that increase awareness, Coordinate, assist, and when feasible, program attendance, and participation opportunities at and operate recreational and interpretive programs Whatcom County parks and properties. and outreach activities of special interest to or benefi t for county residents at county park sites and Objectives: community centers. Programs a: Support successful collaborations between public Objectives: agencies, the business community, service Coordinate, promote, and link an integrated groups, schools, arts patrons, and artists that recreational program system with other public, optimally utilize artistic resources and talents at non-profi t, and for-profi t agencies, organizations, Whatcom County parks and properties. and vendors. Such programs may include athletic leagues and sports, teen and senior age groups, Artworks and special populations where these activities are of a: Where appropriate, incorporate public artworks major interest and benefi t to county residents of all including paintings, sculptures, exhibits, and ages. other media for indoor and outdoor display to expand resident access and appropriately furnish Recreational and interpretive programs public places in Whatcom County parks and a: Organize and sponsor the operation of properties. environmental, historical, cultural, and recreational programs providing instruction, DESIGN AND ACCESS volunteerism, and participation in habitat STANDARDS FOR restoration, water-based recreation, trail SUSTAINABILITY development and security, interpretation Goal: programs, summer and day-camps, Design and develop facilities that are accessible, maintenance, and other site-specifi c activities at safe, and sustainable with life cycle features that Whatcom County parks sites and properties. account for long-term costs and benefi ts. b: Create a central access point and clearinghouse Objectives: for arts and crafts, classroom instruction in Accessibility music and dance, physical conditioning and a: Design outdoor picnic areas, trails, playgrounds, health care, meeting facilities, daycare, latch courts, fi elds, parking lots, restrooms, and other key, and other program activities for all cultural, active and supporting facilities to be accessible age, physical and mental capability, and income to individuals and organized groups of all groups in Whatcom County by all agencies and physical capabilities, skill levels, age groups, vendors including the county. income, and activity interests. c: Designate and land bank appropriate sites, b: Design indoor facility spaces, activity rooms, and help facilitate development agreements restrooms, hallways, parking lots, and other and clearinghouse access to user and league active and supporting spaces and improvements organizations to operate basketball, volleyball, to be accessible to individuals and organized tennis, soccer, baseball, softball, and other groups of all physical capabilities, skill levels, age instruction and participatory programs for all groups, income, and activity interests. age, skill level, and income groups in Whatcom County. Maintenance a: Design, retrofi t, and develop facilities that are d: Assist historical and cultural societies to develop of low maintenance and high capacity design to and display artifacts, reports, and exhibits; and reduce overall facility maintenance and operation conduct lectures, classes, and other programs requirements and costs.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 37 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 b: Where appropriate, incorporate low maintenance Whatcom County facilities and services with materials, settings or other value engineering resources available from the cities, school considerations that reduce care and security districts, and other regional, state, federal, and requirements, and retain natural conditions and private park and recreational lands and facilities experiences. in a manner that will best serve and provide for Whatcom County resident interests. Security and safety a: Implement the provisions and requirements of b: Cooperate with the cities, school districts, the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and other regional, state, and federal, and other public and design and development standards that improve private agencies to avoid duplication, improve park facility safety and security features for park facility quality and availability, reduce costs, and users, department personnel, and the public-at- represent resident area interests through joint large. planning and development efforts. b: Develop and implement safety standards, Cost/benefi t assessment procedures, and programs that provide a: Defi ne existing and proposed land and facility proper training and awareness for department levels-of-service (ELOS PLOS) that differentiate personnel. requirements due to population growth impacts versus improved facility standards, regional c: Defi ne and enforce rules and regulations versus local nexus of benefi t, county versus the concerning park activities and operations that combination of city, county, school, and other protect user groups, department personnel, and provider agency efforts in order to effectively the general public-at large. plan and program open space, trails, parks, and recreation needs within Whatcom County. d: Where appropriate, use adopt-a-park programs, park watches, park police patrols, technology b: Create effective and effi cient methods and other innovative programs that increase of acquiring, developing, operating, and safety and security awareness and visibility. maintaining open space, trail, park, and recreational facilities in manners that accurately FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND distribute costs and benefi ts to public and COORDINATION private user interests - including the application Goal: of growth impact fees where new developments Create effective and effi cient methods of acquiring, impact potential level of-service (ELOS) developing, operating and maintaining Whatcom standards inside urban growth and community County facilities and programs that accurately planning areas. distribute costs and benefi ts to public and private interests. c: Develop and operate recreational programs that serve the broadest needs of the population Objectives: recovering program and operating costs with Finance a combination of registration fees, user fees, a: Investigate innovative available methods, grants, sponsorships, donations, scholarships, such as growth impact fees, land set-a-side or volunteer efforts, and the use of general funding. fee-in-lieu-of-donation ordinances, and inter- local agreements, for the fi nancing of facility d: Where appropriate, provide recreational development, maintenance, and operating programs, like equestrian centers, boating needs in order to reduce costs, retain fi nancial facilities, gun ranges, and retreat and conference fl exibility, match user benefi ts and interests, and facilities for those interested groups who are increase facility services. willing to fi nance the cost through user fees, registration fees, volunteer efforts, or other b: Consider joint ventures with other public and means and methods. private agencies including the cities, school districts, regional, state, federal, and other HUMAN RESOURCES public and private agencies including for-profi t Goal: concessionaires, where feasible and desirable. Develop, train, and support a professional open space, trail, park, and recreation staff Public and private resource coordination that effectively serves Whatcom County in the a: Create a comprehensive, balanced open space, realization of the above listed goals and objectives. trail, park, and recreation system that integrates
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 38 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Objectives: Personnel a: Employ a diverse, well-trained work force that is motivated to achieve department and countywide goals. b: Encourage teamwork through communications, creativity, positive image, risk taking, sharing of resources, and cooperation toward common goals. c: Where appropriate, provide staff with education, training, technology, equipment and supplies to increase personal productivity, effi ciency, and pride. LOCAL PARKS Goal: Recognizing the fact that local parks such as neighborhood and Community parks are primarily the responsibility of the Cities and Park Districts, Whatcom County will continue to assist local and rural communities in the development of these park areas when resources permit.
Objectives: a. County will not add any neighborhood parks to it inventory. b. Neighborhood and Community parks in the current inventory will be transferred to the cities upon annexation. c. County will continue to work with rural communities and UGA’s in development of community parks when community sponsorship and cost sharing for development and maintenance is a major component.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Goals and Objectives Page 39 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Hovander Homestead Park
• Community Work Shops/Charrettes - Kulshan 5. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Environmental Services was contracted to facilitate the public visioning and assessment Whatcom County Parks & Recreation Department process. A total of eleven charrettes were held along with the 7 member Whatcom County Parks at different locations throughout the County & Recreation Commission, a citizen’s advisory (Bellingham, Van Zandt, Point Roberts, Birch committee over saw this planning process. The Bay, Lynden, Ferndale, Everson, Kendall and following outreach methods were used to solicit Lummi Island). One charrette was specifi cally public input into this planning document. targeted at park user groups. The participants • Random Countywide Survey: Beckwith were asked to provide input into fi ve topic areas Consulting was contracted to conduct a random along with any general comments, suggestions survey of county households to determine and opinions. These areas included: satisfaction, need and priorities for park facilities, programs and funding. A total of 1) Parks & Conservancy Areas, 196 persons responded. 2) Trails, 3) Programs and Activities, • Website On-line Survey: The Parks & Recreation 4) Water Access and Beaches, Department’s website hosted the same survey 5) General. and provided an opportunity for other residents to participate and provide input. A total of 62 A total of 74 persons participated. persons responded. The proposals contained within this document • Customer Service Survey: The Parks & represent the opinions developed from these public Recreation Department implemented a customer outreach efforts along with those of the 2008 service survey to assess satisfaction by park Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space users with facilities. These were available at Plan. major park areas and passed out by staff when making contacts. 136 completed surveys were received during this period.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Public Involvement Page 40 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Summary of general statements taken from all Water Access community workshops 2013 • Need more public access to saltwater, tidelands, General Park Facilities Lake Whatcom and the Nooksack River
• Locate facilities within short 2-5 minute driving • Use county park property on South Lake distance to all citizens Whatcom for boating and swimming
• A county park is needed in north central area of • Boat launch needed for Lummi Island residents the County • Maple Beach (Pt. Roberts) needs upland • Need more soccer and multi-use sport fi elds and improvements such as restrooms, signage and complexes parking
• Better signage is needed for marking parks and General accesses • Work and coordinate with other agencies providing recreational services • Open road ends along shorelines to provide public park opportunities • Consider the economic value of parks when making decisions Trails • Consistent and better signage, design standards 2013 SURVEY RESULTS and trailhead amenities such as restrooms and Random Survey Sample: Surveys were completed information kiosks are needed by 187 households and refl ect an accuracy of +/- 8% of the opinion of registered voters. This survey • Provide connectivity with other facilities and was similar to the previous survey taken in 2007 transportation networks which sampled 300 households and had a +/-7%. A smaller sampling was undertaken due to limited • Loop trails as opposed to dead ends funding but refl ects the same trends and priorities as identifi ed in the previous plan. • Use the tops of dikes along the river (Nooksack) as trails Existing Program Conditions Survey respondents were asked to rate their level • Continue to work on regional trail plans (Bay to of satisfaction with the following activities and Baker, Emerald Necklace, Nooksack River) facilities available in Whatcom County that are provided by the county, cities, park districts, and • Designate trail uses to minimize confl icts Port on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is the very lowest satisfaction and 5 is the very highest satisfaction • Urban trail design needed on Bay to Baker route level. Following is a rank order list refl ecting the in Kendall area highest percent given a 4-5 or high satisfaction score. Programs and activities Very high satisfaction (above 50% scoring 4-5) • Parking is a problem with large events – survey respondents were most satisfi ed with hiking and walking trails (78% scored 4-5), picnic • Reinstitute Tennant Lake Interpretive Center areas (67%), preservation of undeveloped programs natural resources, (66%), multiuse trails (65%), playgrounds (65%), athletic and play fi elds (62%), • Install more interpretive signage in the parks open space and scenic area preservation (62%). • Disabled parking seems limited and too far from Very low satisfaction (under 30% scoring 4-5) – trailheads conversely, survey respondents were of mixed opinions with equal or slightly higher percentages • A need for more multi sports fi elds and artifi cial giving 1-2 score for rental of cabins and turf overnight lodges (18% score 4-5), geo-caching and orienteering (21%), food and vending • Youth and senior programs are needed in the concessions (22%). Kendall area However, signifi cant percentages of some of these • Youth activities and recreation are needed in the features received average or scored 3 indicating Birch Bay area Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Public Involvement Page 41 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 substantial portions of the population were ok with (9%), golf course and driving ranges (11%). though not highly satisfi ed or dissatisfi ed with existing conditions on a countywide basis regardless Development Plan Proposal Priorities of facility sponsor. Under the proposed park plan, the county, cities, school districts, port, and other park providers Survey respondents were asked to rate the may jointly set aside and develop wildlife and open following methods of paying for recreation programs space preservations, waterfront parks, picnic and if it requires more money than can be budgeted camping facilities, trails, athletic fi elds, meeting from Whatcom County resources to provide future facilities, and other activities within the county. recreation programs. Respondents were asked to rate conceptual proposals provided in graphic format. A signifi cant majority gave increasing user fees for nonresidents the highest preference (61% Very high priorities (above 50% scoring 4-5) score 4-5) for fi nancing future recreation programs – included conservancies watershed (65%), if additional monies are required above what conservancies scenic (63%), conservancies can be budgeted from Whatcom County resources. farmland (60%), conservancies forestland (60%)…
Respondents were equally divided in support and Very low priorities (under 30% scoring 4-5) – opposition to using increased user fees for everyone included horse trails (10%), ATV/motorcycle riding (36%), reducing the content, variety, and duration areas (11%)… (35%), and reducing the number of programs (34%) to maintain costs within Whatcom County Generally, respondents gave the highest priority to resources. conservancies and shoreline and hiking trails and the lowest priorities to specialty recreational and A majority of respondents (58% score 1-2), park interests like horse trails, ATV/motorcycles, however, were opposed to increasing county taxes and motorized boat launches. as a means of fi nancing any recreational program shortfalls. The priorities generally refl ect recreation participation rates where the greatest percent of Facility Priorities in General the population engages in conservancy activities Respondents were asked to rate the existing including shoreline and hiking trails and the inventory of all parks, recreation, and open space smallest percents engage in specialty activities like facilities provided in Whatcom County by the equestrian, ATV, motorcycle, motorized boats, etc. county, cities, school districts, port, state, and other park providers in general on a scale of 1 to 5 where Therefore, countywide park facility fi nancing 1 is the poor and 5 excellent. proposals will be most successful where the measures implement high priority and high A signifi cant majority of all respondents gave participation activities as opposed to specialty excellent ratings (4-5) to the quantity (77%) and interests. This does not mean specialty or low quality (70%) of all park, recreation, and open participation rate activities are not provided, but space facilities provided by all providers in the rather they will need to be fi nanced by other county. than countywide resources such as user fees, donations, and other means. Respondents were asked to rate the need for the following additional facilities within the county in Joint Venture Opportunities and Partner general whether provided by the county, cities, Options school districts, port, state, or another park Whatcom County, like all jurisdictions in Washington provider where 1 is the lowest and 5 the highest State, must restructure fi scal policies to refl ect priority. recently adopted restraints on the use of property, license, and other taxes for the fi nancing of Very high priorities (above 50% scoring 4-5) – general governmental services. included waterfront access and beach use sites (64% scoring 4-5), restrooms (58%), forestland The survey outlined a number of alternative conservation areas (55%), wildlife habitat, methods for delivering park, recreation, and open conservation, and natural areas (55%), water space facilities and programs in the county for resources and watershed protection areas (55%). respondent evaluation. For example, County Council could adopt some, most, or all of the following Very low priorities (under 30% scoring 4-5) – ways and methods for restructuring the way the included off-road ATV, motorcycle, and ORV parks Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Public Involvement Page 42 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 county delivers and fi nances park and recreation amount per year they would be willing to pay to facilities and services depending on the results of fund local facilities and programs this survey, and in some cases subsequent voter approvals. The results varied from $0 to $1,200 per household per year where 104 or 56% of the respondents Besides Whatcom County – cities, school districts, provided an answer. The median amount or middle athletic organizations, private operators, and a number of the range would be about $100 –though variety of other public and private agencies own and an accurate response would depend on surveying a operate park facilities and recreational programs specifi c proposal for a specifi c facility or program for within the county. Respondents were asked to rate a specifi c area. joint venture projects with public agencies and profi t and non-profi t organizations. Real Estate Excise and Fuel Tax, and License Fee Options Survey respondents were comfortable joint Survey respondents were advised that subject to venturing park facility development with nonprofi t voter approval, County Council could institute a organizations (51% scoring 4-5) and other public variety of optional fees and taxes to be used instead agencies (48%) but ambivalent about for-profi t of or in addition to the regional/local organizational organizations (29%). fi nancing approaches defi ned in the above (as a way of reducing the use of property taxes for park Likewise, survey respondents were comfortable fi nancing). Survey respondents were asked to rate joint venturing recreation program operations each fee or license option which included local with other public agencies (58% scoring 4-5) and option sales tax, real estate excise tax, local option nonprofi t organizations (55%) but ambivalent vehicle license fee and local option fuel tax. about for-profi t organizations (30%). In principal and without specifi c facility or program Organizational and Financing Alternatives proposals, survey respondents were opposed to all County Council could institute alternative methods of the options giving all of them less than a 30% of organizationally managing and fi nancing regional score 4-5 and at least a 49% score 1-2. versus local parks, recreation, and open space improvements within the county. General Obligation Bond Options Survey respondents were advised that subject to Local park facilities using recreational service voter approval, County Council could also propose areas – County Council could institute a limited a variety of optional bonds as a means of fi nancing short-term (3-5 year) property tax levy as a means parks, recreation, and open space improvements of fi nancing the acquisition, development, and/ for specifi c projects. This option could be used or operation of local parks, recreation, and open instead of or in addition to the options defi ned in space facilities and/or programs within specifi ed the above. Survey respondents were asked to rate areas of the county. Recreation service areas can the following. be established for a single facility for a single benefi t area, such as scenic preservation for county General obligation bond - County Council could waterfront areas - or for multiple facilities for a submit a general obligation bond for voter approval specifi ed portion of the county, such as athletic to fi nance acquisition and development of specifi c fi elds and indoor gymnasiums for a city or an urban parks, recreation, and open space improvements. growth area (UGA). The bond, which cannot be used to fi nance operation and maintenance, would be fi nanced over Once proposed, the county residents within each a 20-year period. local recreation service area vote to determine whether to assess a limited short term property tax Like the previous question on local park facility increment to fi nance acquisition, development, and/ and program levies, the results varied from $0 to or operation of the proposed facilities and programs $1,200 per household per year where 102 or 55% within the proposed local service area. Respondents of the respondents provided an answer. The were asked to rate these alternatives. median amount or middle number of the range would be about $100, though an accurate response Survey respondents were ambivalent to opposed to would depend on surveying a specifi c proposal for a using recreation service areas for specifi c facilities specifi c facility or program on a countywide basis. (25% scoring 4-5) or specifi c areas (23%). Population Growth Impact Management Survey respondents were asked to indicate the Options Survey respondents were advised that in the Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Public Involvement Page 43 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 next 20 years the county population is projected quantity and quality of existing park facilities to increase by another 61,840 people or 23% more than the existing population of 203,500 • More interested in car top and hand carry launch persons. They were asked if the existing park and sites recreation facilities within the county, cities, and school districts will be enough to provide for this • Respondents indicated a greater need for horse, population increase. hiking and multipurpose trails
The majority of the respondents 63% felt that there • Did not rate the need for athletic fi elds as high would not be enough to provide for this population as the random survey respondents increase with 37% responding that there would be an adequate inventory. • Rated the need for activity and teen centers higher than the random survey respondents The existing inventory of county parks and recreational facilities is estimated to be worth about • Did not rate farmland conservancy as high $900 per person or $2,000 for an average single family house. This amount is the cost required for • Respondents were more supportive of working additional park facilities for new housing residents with nonprofi t organizations if the county is to maintain the same standards for parks, recreation, and open space facilities that are • Respondents were more supportive of using currently provided existing residents. real estate excise tax, local vehicle tax and local option sales tax to pay for parks and recreation Given this fact, survey respondents were asked to rate three growth management fi nancing options • Supported the maximum and minimum amount for dealing with the impact of new population of impact fees in greater numbers growth on parks and the methods existing residents may use to fi nance park improvements. 2013 CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY A majority of the survey respondents would During the summer of 2013 the Parks & Recreation impose a one-time impact fee from new housing Department instituted a customer service survey developments (63% score 4-5) while clear at major park use areas. This on-going survey majorities would oppose increasing county taxes was intended to help gauge the satisfaction of (54% score 1-2) or lowering standards (59%). park users with facilities and customer service. The following are the results of the 135 returned When asked how much to charge, 48% of the surveys received. survey respondents would charge above 50% of current value or $1,000 per single family house and Appearance over all 84.5% good, 13.5% fair 2% 51% would charge below $1,000. poor
2013 WEBSITE SURVEY Cleanliness 86.3% good, 11% fair, 2.5% poor The Parks & Recreation Department website hosted the same survey used in the random survey. Usable Condition 85% good, 11.3% fair, 2.9% poor Results general tracked the same as the random survey with the following exceptions noted: Overall visit 81.5% great, 15% good, .8% fair, 1.7% poor • Participants were slightly younger in age with greater representation in the 25-64 age group The poor condition and cleanliness of the restrooms and fewer in the 65+ range. at Silver Lake was noted as the greatest defi ciency with those at Hovander Homestead Park and • Respondents were generally not as satisfi ed Lighthouse Marine Park being rated fair. Lack of with interpretive programs, picnic and camping use Lighthouse Marine Park docks (scheduled for areas, trails, athletic courts, and accessibility replacement in 2014), lack of or poor way fi nding accommodations. road and trail signage at Silver Lake Park, and goose feces in the picnic areas and beach at Silver • Respondents were less supportive of reducing Lake Park were also noted in comments. programs to pay for them and more supportive of using user fees and tax increases.
• Respondents were less satisfi ed with the Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Public Involvement Page 44 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Lily Point Marine Park
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Public Involvement Page 45 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Tennant Lake Interpretive Center LOS to a national standard has not proven to be 6. DEMAND AND NEED benefi cial or justifi able as each community’s vision, ANALYSIS values and needs are different. The challenge of just using LOS for Parks is that it does not identify Park, recreation, and open space land and facility the quality of the service or facility, satisfaction of demands can be estimated using a variety of the residents with the facility or capacity and use methods including population ratios, participation issues. models, level-of-service (LOS) measurements, and/ or questionnaire survey methodologies. This plan The current LOS calculation used by the County utilized a variety of methods to help determine combines athletic facilities, regional, community demand and need. and neighborhood parks, developed water accesses, greenway/trail sites and preserves and open space Adopted Level of Service (LOS) that have parking, restrooms, trails and other Whatcom County approved minimum levels of developed amenities as representing developed service standards in 1997 for parks, trails and parks. The LOS measurement is expressed in acres activity centers. This was a joint effort between the per capita. Planning and the Parks & Recreation Departments and these standards were adopted in the County’s All trails including multi use, hiking, mountain Comprehensive Plan. Levels of service (LOS) are biking and equestrian are combined for the trail quantifi able measures of the amount of public inventory. facilities that are provided to the community. These Senior centers, rifl e range, East Whatcom Regional are often expressed on a per capita basis. LOS Resource Center, Roeder Home and community has traditionally been used as a planning tool to halls are combined for a total count of activity compare a local community’s facilities against other centers. communities, agencies and national standards. Typically, a standard LOS is calculated for each type In the adopting the current levels of LOS, the of facility such as the number of parks or acres per county did not defi ne the type of trail or what 1,000 residents. The practice of quantifying local constituted a developed park. The Plantation
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 46 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Rifl e Range, Roeder Home and senior centers are Whatcom County will continue to meet its LOS for combined in the activity center count though they developed parks over the next 20 years. Near the clearly serve different constituencies and demands. end of this twenty year time span an additional It is recommended that the current adopted LOS activity center will be required as population standards be reviewed and revised for the County’s increases to 271,142. A total of 162.68 miles of 2016 Comprehensive Plan update. trails will be required adding an additional 39.52 miles to the County’s current 60 mile trail defi cit. Current LOS based on Adopted Standards 2012 Population: 205,262 It should be noted that typically, service levels are not applied to water accesses, preserves and open Trails (205.26 X .60 = 123.16 miles of trails) space lands and greenways. Current inventory miles of trails: 63.17 miles The 2008 PROS plan provided LOS calculations Activity Centers (2.71 X 5 = 10.25 activity Centers) for various types of park and recreation facilities. Current inventory activity centers: 13 activity These were based somewhat on standards and centers studies done by the National Park and Recreation Association and the Recreation and Conservation Based on existing inventory and population, Offi ce in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. These Whatcom County is currently meeting its minimum are listed for informational purposes only. level of service for developed parks and activity centers. It currently has a trail defi cit of approximately 60 miles.
1997 2013 DevelopedParks 9.6acresper1,000population 9.6acres/1,000population Trails .75milesper1,000population .60miles/1,000population ActivityCenter 6/100,000population 5/100,000population
DevelopedParks Currentinventory (205.26X9.6=1,970.50acres) developedparks(inacres): RegionalParks 11,748.00 CommunityParks 15.9 Neighborhood 3.8 Preserve/OpenSpace 2,862.20 Greenway 101.9 WaterAccess 36.2 Total 14,768.00
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 47 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
TotalParkLands Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std AcresofparkLand 6716.1 26124.1 15138 RatioPer1,000** 34.45 Na 37.42 145.54 174.22 PreservesandOpenSpace Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std AcresofparkLand 5407.8 22513 14042 RatioPer1,000** 10 Na 30.13 125.42 154.35 RegionalParks Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std AcresofparkLand 952.4 2388.1 259 RatioPer1,000** 16.5 Na 5.31 13.3 11.18 LinearTrails Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std AcresofparkLand 120.3 363.2 813 RatioPer1,000** 4.85 Na 0.67 2.02 4.97 LinearTrails Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std AcresofparkLand 120.3 363.2 813 RatioPer1,000** 4.85 Na 0.67 2.02 4.97 AthleticandSportsFields Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std AcresofparkLand 50 464 20 RatioPer1,000** 3.1 Na 0.28 2.58 2.04 RecreationCenters/Pools Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std AcresofparkLand 35.44 RatioPer1,000** Na Na 0.02 0.03 0.04 SpecialUseFacilities Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std AcresofparkLand 178.1 385.9 0 RatioPer1,000** Na Na 0.99 2.15 1.63 SupportFacilitiesStandards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std AcresofparkLand 4.5 Na 0 RatioPer1,000** Na Na 0.03 Na 0.02 WaterfrontAccess Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Waterfront – freshwater 58,067 73,690 7,500 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 323.49 410.53 342.81 Waterfront – saltwater 12,978 91,573 12,000 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 72.3 510.16 437.32 *expressed in linear feet
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 48 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
KayakLaunchSites Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Kayak – freshwater 14 32 10 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.08 0.18 0.18 Kayak – saltwater 7 32 17 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.04 0.18 0.21 BoatingFacilities Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Boat ramps–freshwater 3 9 6 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.02 0.05 0.06 Boat ramps-saltwater 2 12 7 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.01 0.07 0.08 Moorage slips 1 4,350 2,245 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0 24 28 PicnicFacilities Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Picnic tables 49 537 150 Ratio per 1,000 Na 1.77 0.27 2.99 2.9 Picnic shelters 24 52 14 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.13 0.29 0.28 TentandVehicleCamping Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Tent/RV campsites 0 211 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na 1.28 0 1.18 0.89 Vehicle campsites 154 200 220 Ratio per 1,000 Na 2 0.86 1.11 1.77 MultipurposeTrails Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Multipurposetrailmiles 30.8 42.9 268.4 Ratioper1,000 0.5 0.13 0.17 0.23 1.32 Walking&HikingTrails Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Park trail miles 9 14 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na 0.14 0.05 0.08 0.05 Day-hiking trail miles 0 97 112 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0 0.54 0.88 Shoreline trail miles 7 35 26 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.04 0.2 0.26 Boardwalk trail miles 3 3 1 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.02 0.02 0.02
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 49 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
OnRoadBicycleRoutes Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Road shoulder miles 30 47 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na 0.03 0.17 0.26 0.2 Shoulder/in-lane marked miles 0 0 325 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0 0 1.37 OffRoadBicycleRoutes Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Off-road park trails 0 23 0 Ratio per 1,000 0.5 0.3 0 0.13 0.1 Off-road day-bike miles 16 26 137 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.09 0.14 0.69 HorseTrails Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Trail miles in parks 2 14 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na 0.11 0.01 0.08 0.06 Day-ride trail miles 4 6 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.02 0.03 0.02 Backcountry trail miles 18 23 153 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.1 0.13 0.74 Playgrounds&Courts Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Playgrounds Na Na 5 20 7 Basketball courts Na Na 0 43 0 Volleyball courts - sand Na Na 0 1 10 SoccerFields Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Soccer fields – youth/adult 12 53 31 Ratio per 1,000 0.1 0.29 0.07 0.29 0.38 Baseball/SoftballFields Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Baseball/softball–youth 5 18 3 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.03 0.1 0.09 Baseball/softball–adult 0 81 23 Ratio per 1,000 0.4 0.49 0 0.45 0.43 IndoorGymnasium Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Gymnasium sq ft 10,000 382,368 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 55.71 2130.18 1614.48 Physical condition sq ft 0 16,536 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0 92.12 69.82
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 50 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
IndoorActivitySpace Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Arts and crafts sq ft 1,000 10,600 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 5.57 59.05 44.76 Lodge/meeting room sq ft 14,700 43,428 14,000 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 81.89 241.94 242.48 SeniorCenters Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Senior center sq ft 53,740 56,920 30,000 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 299.39 317.1 367 Museums/InterpretiveCt Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Museum sq ft 43,475 82,475 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 242.2 459.47 348.24 Interpretive center sq ft 7,888 11,288 1,400 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 43.94 62.89 53.57 GunRanges Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Indoor gun range sq ft 11,200 11,200 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 62.4 62.4 47.29 Outdoor gun targets 39 39 0 Ratio per 1,000 0.02 0.06 0.22 0.22 0.16 Archery range targets 0 0 0 Ratio per 1,000 0.02 0.06 0 0 0 SupportFacilities Standards ExistingSupply Rcmnd* NRPA IAC WhtcmCo Alltotal Add/std Admin sq ft 4,624 12,624 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 25.76 70.33 53.3 Maintenance sq ft 18,835 Na 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 104.93 Na 79.53 Shop/nursery yard sq ft 2 Na 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.01 Na 0.01 Caretaker house sq ft 19,976 Na 6,000 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 111.29 Na 109.68 Concession stand sq ft 800 1,200 0 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 4.46 6.69 5.07 Restroom fixtures-each 64 160 108 Ratio per 1,000 Na Na 0.36 0.89 1.13
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 51 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Use East Whatcom Regional Resource Center Park use is tracked at most major trailheads and • Develop multipurpose athletic fi elds park areas. A variety of methods are used including • Develop covered sports court car and trail counters, daily staff estimates, reservation data and spot counts. This information Hovander Homestead Park is used by staff for planning and reporting purposes • Replace Hovander House roof and to help inform management decisions. User • Install new restrooms in park and boat counts are helpful in determining the demand launch area and capacity of park facilities and staff. Taken • Landscape boat launch area over time, they can show user trends and refl ect • Plant perimeter buffers to screen responses to conditions and improvements. developments • Install open shelters in picnic areas • Expand hard surfaced parking areas • Road improvements (widen to two lanes) • Renovate main park entrance to improve traffi c fl ow • Demolish storage barn and replace with new facility • Replace walkways and irrigation in Fragrance Garden • Remodel Tennant Lake Interpretive Center for multi-use • Renovate animal contact area for accessibility and • Convert milk house to concession area Recommendations and Needs • Install plaza in barn area The following needs have been determined through • Replace Tennant lake boardwalk a combination of the above processes which • Revise park master plan to include event included public participation in planning charrettes, staging, picnic areas and traffi c control community, web-based and customer surveys, staff and stakeholder input, public comment and Lake Whatcom Park past planning efforts. In general, Whatcom County • Create day use areas, open shelter and is meeting the recreational needs of its residents restroom through the provision of local, county, state and • Expanded existing and create new parking federal parks. areas • Develop trails system and overlooks on new Major Needs and Improvements Identifi ed acquisition Site Specifi c Improvements • Install boat docks • Update master plan and develop forest Bay Horizon Park management plan • Multi-use play fi elds • Install additional restrooms along shore/ Multi use trail interior loop to connect with • replace/enlarge existing restroom building Bay Crest Trail New restroom • Lighthouse Marine Park • Replace boardwalk Bay to Baker Trail • Complete walking path along shore and Continue upgrades for year round use • roadway (Maple Falls to Glacier segment) • Lighthouse multi use room and observation area Canyon Lake Community Forest • Replace playground • Restore road access and way fi nding signage • Restore dunes Chuckanut Mountain /Pine & Cedar Lakes Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve • Improve trail way fi nding signage • Develop trails system and overlooks on new Replace boardwalks at Pine and Cedar Lakes • acquisition • Improve trails for mountain biking • Develop forest management plan Dittrich Park • Develop park master plan Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 52 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 Maple Falls Park 4. Complete planning and trail development of • Develop park master plan reconveyance areas
Plantation Rifl e Range 5. Provide better trail connectivity (existing • Replace aging HVAC system for indoor range parks, trails and communities)
Samish Park 6. Provide activities, play fi elds and facilities • Replace playground for youth in East County • Parking improvements 7. Continue efforts working with community partners to develop major multi-use trails Semiahmoo Park • Renovate restroom building for concessions 8. Provide shore access using road ends and • Repair/resurface multi-use trail key parcels on Lummi Island and Birch Bay
Silver Lake Park 9. Improve accessibility at existing parks and • Reconstruct and surface roadways trails and provide less strenuous activities throughout park for older adults • Install new restrooms/shower - Equestrian Camp/Cabins 10. Develop park properties for public use on • Renovate cabins 2,3,4,5,6 and install South shore of Lake Whatcom restrooms • Renovate beach picnic area, walk and volley 11. Provide more opportunities for Mountain ball areas Biking within the parks system • Renovate campsites to improve accessibility and function Major Planning Initiatives • Upgrade power and RV pedestals in campgrounds 1. Dittrich Park Master Plan • Replace lagoon bridge • Install directional signage on trails and roads 2. Hovander Homestead Park Master Plan- • Install play areas in campgrounds Revision • Renovate concession area in day lodge • Install contact station 3. Lake Whatcom Park Master Plan-Revision • Construct wood shed 4. Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan South Fork Park • Implement master plan to include trailhead, 5. South Lake Whatcom Park Master Plan trails and restroom • Restore Nesset Farm Buildings 6. Comprehensive Parks Recreation and Open Space Plan 2020 South Lake Whatcom • Develop park master plan 7. Whatcom County Comprehensive Plan • Link south park area by trail (Recreation) 2016
Stimpson Family Nature Reserve 8. Maple Creek Park Master Plan • Install restroom building
Warnick Bridge Access • Develop parking and shore access
Non-Site Specifi c Improvements
1. Maintain and improve existing facilities and parks
2. Provide more and better restrooms throughout the parks system
3. Provide better road, way fi nding and trail signage throughout parks system
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 53 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
DEPARTMENT WORK PLAN 2/7/2014 MASTER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS LIST
PARKFACILITY PROJECT SCOPE FUNDINGSOURCE BayHorizonPark Development Playfields,multiͲusetrail Grants,REETII,NWParkDistrict,Donation
BaytoBakerTrailͲMapleFallstoGlacier Developtrailhead Developtrailheadandtrailtoincludeparkingandrestrooms REETII,Grants,Donation segment ChuckanutMtn.Park SamishParkconnectortrail Develop2.7miletrailbetweenSamishandChuckanutParks Grants,Donation
EastWhatcomRegionalResourceCenter Dayuseimprovements Constructplayfieldsandcoveredcourt REETII,Donation
FerndaleSeniorCenter Building ReplaceRoof HeadquartersComplex ServiceBuilding Electricalserviceupgrade&shopfloor REETII HovanderParkͲTennantLake Dayusearea Construct3picnicshelters REETII HovanderParkͲTennantLake Contactarea Improveaccessibility,pensandfeatures Donation HovanderParkͲTennantLake HovanderHome,TennantLake ReplaceRoofs REETII InterpretiveCenter HovanderParkͲTennantLake ParkingLotImprovements Surface/constructparkinglotsandimproveaccessroads REETII,Grants
HovanderParkͲTennantLake Maintenancebuilding Constructshop/equipmentstoragebuilding REETII HovanderParkͲTennantLake InterpretiveCenter RemodelinteriorforMultiͲuse REETII,Grants,Donations HovanderParkͲTennantLake Bridge ReplacebridgeoversloughbetweenTennantLk&Animal REETII ContactArea HovanderParkͲTennantLake Renovatedryingshed Replaceroofandsiding REETII HovanderParkͲTennantLake Newrestroombuilding Removemachineshedandinstallrestrooms REETII HovanderParkͲTennantLake FragranceGardenWalk&Irrigation Replacewalkandirrigationsystem REETII,Donations
LakeWhatcomPark HertzTrailBridges ConstructtwovehicleaccessiblebridgesatHertzTrail
LakeWhatcomPark Parking&dayͲuseimprovements Surfacinganddrainageimprovements,DayͲUsearea, REETII,Grants shelter,restroom LakeWhatcomPark Trail,overlook,campsite Develop24milesofhikingtrail REETII,Grants,Donation development LakeWhatcomPark Restrooms Replacetrailheadrestroom REETII,Grants LakeWhatcomPark MooringDock Constructsmallboatdocks REETII,Grants LakeWhatcom HertzTrailExpansion 1milemultiͲusetrail REETII,Grants LighthouseMarinePark Playground Replaceplayground Grants,REETII LighthouseMarinePark Walkwayimprovements Surface,widenandconnect0.5milewalkwayfor REETII,Grants accessibility LighthouseMarinePark Boardwalk Replaceboardwalk REETII,Grants,Donations LighthouseMarinePark Observationdeck Constructobservationdeckorbuilding Donation LookoutMountain Traildevelopment Construct30milesoftrail Donationandgrant MapleCreekPark Bridge Installbridgeatcreek REETII NorthwestAnnex WalkingTrail Surface1.0miletrail REETII PlantationRifleRange HVACReplacement ReplaceHVAC REETI,Grant Parkshop Shopimprovements Floor/electricalimp. REETIorII SamishPark Replaceplaygroundandbeach Replaceplaygroundandbeachimprovements REETII,Grants,Donation improvements SamishPark Rentalhouseimprovements;SCOPE Repairrottedwallandpitchroof REETII
SemiahmooPark Renovatestoragebuildingfor Electrical,plumbing&fixtureimprovements REETII concession SilverLakePark LagoonBridgewalkreplacement Replacementof300'ofboardwalk REETII
SilverLakePark Beachandpicnicareaimprovements Filtrationwall,walkway,sandvolleyball REETII
SilverLakePark Renovatecabins:scopeeachone Renovatecabins,indoorplumbing,flooring&insulation REETII
SilverLakePark Shower/restroombuildingmain Constructnewshowerandrestroombuildingin REETII campground campground SilverLakePark Restroom&Showerbuildingat Replacerestroominequestriancampground REETII equestriancamp SilverLakePark Upgradecampground Installnewelectricalservice,pads,roadsurfacing,water REETII andwalkways. SilverLakePark Repairandsurfaceroads Widenandsurfaceroadwaysthroughoutthepark REETII
SilverLakePark Replaceresidencegarage Replacegarageatresidence REETII SilverLakePark Campgroundplaygrounds Installplaygroundsin2campgrounds REETII SouthForkPark Traildevelopment Construct4.25milemultiusetrail REETII,Grants SouthForkPark RestoreNessetFarmbuildings Restorehistoricbuilding Donation,NessetFoundation
SouthForkPark NessetFarmRestroom&Bridge Installnewpublicrestroomandreplacebridge@Nesset Donation,NessetFoundation replacement Creek SouthForkPark DevelopvehicleaccessandtrailheadConstructaccessroad,parking,restroomsandlandscaping REETII,Grants,ParkImprovementFund amenities SunnysideLanding Traildevelopment Construct700feetofmultiusetrailandconverttrestle REETII
SunnysideLanding Dayusearea Constructpicnic/restarea REETII,Grants,Donation SunsetFarm Traildevelopment Improve0.5miletrailandconnecttocommunitytrail REETII,Grants,Donation system
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 54 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
DEPARTMENT WORK PLAN 2/7/2014 MASTER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS LIST
TYPEOF PARKFACILITY IMPROVEMENT ProjectBudget 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 NOTSCHEDULED TOTAL BayHorizonPark New $385,000 X $385,000
BaytoBakerTrailͲMapleFallstoGlacier New $275,000 X $275,000 segment ChuckanutMtn.Park New $20,000 X $20,000
EastWhatcomRegionalResourceCenter New $160,000 X $160,000
FerndaleSeniorCenter $15,000 X $15,000 HeadquartersComplex New $150,000 X $150,000 HovanderParkͲTennantLake $126,000 $42,000 $42,000 $42,000 $0 HovanderParkͲTennantLake Replacement $75,000 $75,000 $0 HovanderParkͲTennantLake Replacement $85,000 $65,000 $20,000 $0
HovanderParkͲTennantLake New $625,000 X $625,000
HovanderParkͲTennantLake New $125,000 X $125,000 HovanderParkͲTennantLake Replacement $50,000 $50,000 $0 HovanderParkͲTennantLake Replacement $100,000 X $100,000
HovanderParkͲTennantLake Replacement $15,000 $15,000 $0 HovanderParkͲTennantLake New $225,000 $225,000 $0 HovanderParkͲTennantLake Replacement $25,000 $25,000
LakeWhatcomPark New $350,000 X $350,000
LakeWhatcomPark New $320,000 $100,000 $220,000 $0
LakeWhatcomPark New $900,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $780,000
LakeWhatcomPark New $75,000 X $75,000 LakeWhatcomPark New $100,000 X $100,000 LakeWhatcom New $117,000 X $117,000 LighthouseMarinePark Replacement $135,000 $135,000 $0 LighthouseMarinePark Replacement $30,000 $30,000 $0
LighthouseMarinePark Replacement $150,000 X $150,000 LighthouseMarinePark New $250,000 X $250,000 LookoutMountain New $500,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $380,000 MapleCreekPark New $100,000 X $100,000 NorthwestAnnex New $140,000 X $140,000 PlantationRifleRange Replacement $250,000 $250,000 $0 Parkshop Improvement $65,000 X $65,000 SamishPark Replacement $60,000 $60,000 $0
SamishPark Replacement $45,000 X $45,000
SemiahmooPark New $25,000 $25,000 $0
SilverLakePark Replacement $150,000 X $150,000
SilverLakePark Replacement $40,000 $40,000 $0
SilverLakePark Replacement $225,000 $45,000 $45,000 $45,000 $45,000 $45,000 $0
SilverLakePark New $325,000 X $325,000
SilverLakePark New $325,000 $325,000
SilverLakePark Replacement $352,500 X $352,500
SilverLakePark Replacement $500,000 $150,000 $150,000 $200,000 $0
SilverLakePark Replacement $30,000 $30,000 $0 SilverLakePark New $60,000 X $60,000 SouthForkPark New $350,000 $175,000 $175,000 $0 SouthForkPark Replacement $125,000 $125,000 $0
SouthForkPark New $150,000 X $150,000
SouthForkPark New $275,000 $175,000 $100,000 $0
SunnysideLanding New $243,000 X $243,000
SunnysideLanding New $25,000 X $25,000 SunsetFarm New $33,000 X $33,000
YearlyTotal= $1,380,000 $715,000 $547,000 $310,000 $127,000 $127,000 $6,070,500
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 55 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Major Acquisitions Identifi ed 8. Acquire Plantation Rifl e Range property and buffer area 1. Acquire remaining 14 acres at South end of Hertz Trail to link with Blue Canyon Road 9. Acquire public trail easements/trailheads for Bay to Baker, Nooksack, Nooksack Loop and 2. Provide more public access to fresh and Coast Millennium Trails saltwater, Nooksack River and area beaches 10. Acquire easements for key connectors on 3. Acquire critical habitats, watersheds and existing trail systems historical sites of special concern to the County 11. Acquire public access at Cherry Point
4. Acquire a small boat launch access on 12. Acquire DNR commercial property adjoining Lummi Island Stimpson Family Nature Reserve
5. Acquire a waterfront restroom and parking 13. Acquire DNR property or public easement area for beach access at Birch Bay on Nooksack River for a designated raft take out area-Maple Falls 6. Acquire public trail easements on Lookout / Galbraith Mountain 14. Acquire main parking lot at Bellingham Senior Activity Center 7. Acquire a regional park in the north central area of the County
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 56 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Assistance with Local and Community Park Point Roberts Initiatives • Construct a Lighthouse themed multi- Whatcom County Parks and Recreation will provide purpose observation building at Lighthouse assistance as resources permit. Marine Park • Develop restrooms and parking near Maple Maple Falls Beach • Assist community planning efforts and acquisition of elementary school site City of Ferndale from the Mt. Baker School District for • Assist the City of Ferndale in the acquisition development of a community park and of Riverplace Park for expanded sports fi elds trailhead for the Maple Falls to Glacier segment of the Bay to Baker Trail Community Trails Efforts- as resources permit, assist communities, districts and local efforts to Birch Bay acquire and develop the following trail corridors • Assist community in acquisition of beach access for development of public restrooms • Glacier community trail and parking • Kendall bicycle/pedestrian trail • Nooksack Loop Trail Lummi Island • Bay to Baker Trail • Assist community in acquisition of shore • Coast Millennium Trail accesses and boat launch • Nooksack Trail • Drayton Harbor Trail (CMT)
Proposed Trail Corridors
Blaine Sumas 15 Drayton Harbor 23 16 30 Lynden 36 33 47 Nooksack 60 49 River 7 k 34 20 ac ks 12 Birch oo 37 48 N Maple Falls Bay 1 46 50 24 60 k North For 28 Everson 35
Ferndale
53 S 63 6 61 62 t Deming 64 29 r 4
a
i
t Bellingham Lummi 27 21
o Bay 25 M iddl f 22 e Fork 59 Bellingham Bay G 58 54 31 Lak e W e 55 h at 32 co o 2 38 m 8 51 Acme r 11 g
i 17 a 63 3 56 44 14 18
5 43 19
Park Type Bay to Baker Trail Coast Millennium Trail Nooksack Loop Trail Nooksack River Trail
Date: 2/5/2014 Author: Robert Bryson I:\P&D\GIS\NRPA2013\NRPA_GISDataModel_v10\working\mxds\Drafts\ProposedMap\PropMap_140205_trails.mxd
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Demand and Need Analysis Page 57 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 • Nesset Foundation: Private foundation holding funds for the restoration, improvement and operation of the Nesset Farm located at South Fork Park.
• Whatcom Parks & Recreation Foundation: Private foundation holding funds from donations used for various park improvements and programs.
Grant funding available;
• State: Departments of Natural Resources, Ecology and Fish & Wildlife, Recreation & Conservation Offi ce (RCO)
• Federal: Coastal Management, Transportation Enhancement Funding, National Park Service, US Fish & Wildlife Agency
Maintenance and operations are achieved through a variety of sources and strategies which include general funds, user fees, cooperative agreements, volunteers, private/public partnerships and licenses. A portion of the Conservation Futures Fund is also used to maintain those properties that are eligible.
Adoption
Nesset Farm Following is a summary description of the major tasks required to effectively implement the park, 7. ADOPTION AND recreation, and open space plan. IMPLEMENTATION The County Council will need to adopt this plan. With an anticipated update of the County’s This document contains recommendations for Comprehensive Plan scheduled for 2016, it is improvements, developments, and potential expected that portions of this plan will be further acquisitions. Successful implementation of this plan modifi ed and updated at that time. The Council will require community partnerships, funding and may adopt this plan as a as a compliant element of dedicated resources. Whatcom County is fortunate the county’s comprehensive plan in accordance with in that is has dedicated sources of funding used to Growth Management Act (GMA) provisions or use purchase lands and make capital improvements. it to guide and inform the revised comprehensive These sources are also used to leverage grant plan. funding. Listed below are updated strategies for These include; implementation from the 2008 PROS plan. • REET I: Used for funding improvements ADOPT PLAN projects in parks and non-park facilities such Adopt regional plan as GMA element as senior activity centers and rifl e range. Whatcom County may complete actions necessary • REET II: Used for capital improvement to adopt this planning document: projects in the parks. Action • Conservation Futures Fund: Used for • Disseminate copies of this plan document – acquisition of parks and natural areas. on county website and CDs to appropriate public agencies and interested public and • Parks Improvement Fund: Used for private parties in accordance with GMA improvements on specifi c properties. adoption provisions.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 58 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 costs. The proposal must ultimately be submitted • Conduct public hearing and record for voter approval including all provisions relating to comments with Planning Commission – any special fi nancing agreements. of this document as stand-alone parks, recreation, and open space element plan and The method is tremendously fl exible and can be make recommendations to County Council in used to provide local recreational facilities in a accordance with GMA provisions. variety of custom service choices including where the: • Conduct public hearing and record comments with County Council – of this • Operating agency – may consist of a document, comments received by Planning common property owners association, an Commission, recommendations made adjacent city or school district, a private by Planning Commission, and comments operator or the county parks department provided at hearing in accordance with GMA as the facility developer, operator, or provisions. maintenance entity.
• Adopt this plan and accompanying Capital • Boundaries – may consist of the owners Facilities Program (CFP) by County Council – of a residential development project, of as an element of the county comprehensive unincorporated county, of an incorporated plan and implementing CFP in accordance city, of a school district or any other physical with GMA provisions. boundary that corresponds with recreation service benefi ts, Adopt local plans and/or establish local recreation service areas • Services – may be multipurpose including all Concurrent with task 1 above, Whatcom County types of recreation facilities and programs may complete actions necessary to incorporate or single purpose providing a single type of existing or proposed park, recreation, & open space facility service like a swimming pool, soccer elements of Blaine, Lynden, Sumas, Nooksack, fi eld, or other activity, Everson, Ferndale, and Bellingham as the local plan chapters of this document. • Financing – may be by user fees, levies, bonds, self-help contributions or private Where a Park & Recreation District is the local concessionaire agreements for facility governing agency – as in Point Roberts and Blaine/ development, operation, and maintenance Birch Bay area– Whatcom County will adopt the costs. district’s current park, recreation, & open space element plan will be adopted as the local plan There are no limitations on the number of chapter of this document in the same manner. recreation service areas that can be established within Whatcom County. Conceivably, recreation Where there is no governing park and recreation services could be fully implemented by a multitude agency – as in Kendall UGA – Whatcom County may of local, even overlapping, recreation service areas propose or consider initiating a voter referendum providing a custom mixture of recreation facilities to establish a local recreation service area in and services according to each community's accordance with RCW Chapter 36.68 to represent unique sponsor, boundary, service and fi nancing the local park requirements of the area. preferences. Whatcom County Parks & Recreation may or may not be involved in the actual particulars RCW Chapter 36.68 authorizes the establishment of of a local recreation service area depending on area local recreation service areas that correspond to the resident preferences. logical service boundaries of an area's recreation facilities. The county may provide recreational Participants – County Council and Planning facilities that are specifi c to a community in turn Commission with the assistance of the Park & for the community's agreement to pay the special Recreation and Planning & Development Services development, operation, and maintenance costs Departments and the participation of the cities, utilizing special fi nancing devices. park and recreation districts, and citizens at large of proposed UGAs. Special recreation service areas may be initiated by a County Council resolution or citizen petition Action following hearings on feasibility and costs studies • Incorporate by reference local city or park of the proposed facility development or operation and recreation district comprehensive
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 59 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
park plans – as the local plan chapter 5 Futures (CF), Timber Harvest Sales (THS), of this document in accordance with GMA State Timber Sales, and Real Estate Excise provisions. Taxes (REET) 1 and 2 programs.
• Where there is no governing park and • Allocate a proportional amount from recreation agency – as in the Kendall existing tourist and transportation-oriented Urban Growth Area (UGA), initiate a voter revenue programs to fund the development referendum to establish a local recreation of countywide trail systems – designating service area to plan, fi nance, and operate monies from the Hotel/Motel Tax, County local park facilities within the area. Road Fund, and Flood Control Zone programs. ADOPT PROJECT FINANCING STRATEGIES Allocate Capital Facility Funds Adopt GMA Park Impact Fees County Council may allocate a proportional amount County Council may adopt a coordinated GMA of the monies received from dedicated resource- park impact fee system on a county-wide basis oriented revenue programs to provide funds for for regional or county-wide facility acquisition and conservancy acquisitions that refl ect the wildlife, development, and on a UGA basis for local or city- habitat, forestland, farmland, and other objectives wide facility acquisition and development. of these programs. At the present time, these funds are being used to acquire and protect The Washington State Growth Management Act conservancies but not through a concerted or (GMA) allows the county to impose a park impact coordinated defi ned park and open space program. fee on proposed residential developments within This action will directly link revenue funding and the county as a means of maintaining existing project coordination and accomplishment through park, recreation, and open space levels-of-service this document. (ELOS). The ordinance for impact fees will estimate the impact each development project will have on The revenue programs to be coordinated for park, recreation, and open space facilities within the resource conservancy acquisitions will include project's regional or local service zone and make Conservation Futures (CF), Timber Harvest Sales, provisions for setting aside the resources, including State Timber Sales, and Real Estate Excise Taxes lands or monies, necessary to offset the project's (REET) 1 and 2 programs. regional or local facility impacts.
County Council may also allocate a proportional The dollar value of the project's park, recreation, amount of the monies received from tourism, and open space impact can be offset by the project transportation, and fl ood management revenue developer of an amount equal to the combined programs to provide funds for the development facility acquisition and development costs that the of countywide trail systems that benefi t tourists, county and/or another providing agency would multimodal transportation development, and incur to maintain the same existing level-of-service maintenance of river dikes. At the present time, (ELOS). these funds are not contributing to the development of trail systems even through such projects directly A developer may be allowed to choose any implement the goals of these revenue programs. combination of land or cash mitigation measures This action will provide a balance of priorities. including credit for any park or recreation facilities to be included within the project development. The revenue programs to be coordinated for trail The park impact fee ordinance will consider the system development may include the Hotel/Motel following when determining the types of mitigation Tax for tourism, the County Road Fund, and the measures or development credits to be made Flood Control Zone funds. available to the developer:
Participants – County Council with the assistance • Will the facility - be available to the public. of the Parks & Recreation, Planning & Development Services, and Public Works Departments. • Have a designated owner - responsible for continuing operation and maintenance (the Action owner may be a common property owner's • Allocate a proportional amount from existing association, school district or other agency). resource-oriented revenue programs to fund And, the acquisition of resource conservancies – designating monies from Conservation • Correspond to and not exceed or vary from -
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 60 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 the types of park, recreation, and open space based on the value of local facilities located facilities that are being impacted (a developer within the UGA boundaries regardless of facility could provide but should not able to take full ownership, and allocating the fees for local credit value for facilities for which there is no facility acquisition and development by the local shortage, impact or local interest). agency in accordance with the local plan for the UGA area. Land contributions can be accepted in lieu of monies if the lands will be suitable sites for future Institute county-wide park levy facilities. Under GMA provisions, land and monies County Council will place a property tax levy accumulated under the proposed ordinance must proposal for voter approval on a county-wide basis be invested within a reasonable time of impact for the acquisition, development, and operation of assessment or be returned to the contributing regional parks, recreation, and open space facilities developer. throughout the county. The funds collected from the levy will be allocated to the appropriate sponsoring The county will conduct periodic program reviews agency, which may include the County, Port, city, with residents, user groups, the school district, park or school district, or non-profi t organization, and other agencies to decide the most effi cient for the realization of regional facilities identifi ed and representative way of delivering the facilities within this plan. mitigated by the ordinance. Alternative delivery methods could include: Under Washington State enabling acts, Whatcom County may levy a property tax for general • Acquisition of suitable sites - in conjunction with governmental purposes at a rate not to exceed other public or school facilities including title $1.80 per $1,000 on the assessed value of all transfer if other public or school agencies enter taxable property within the county. An additional into special agreements assuming development, $2.25 per $1,000 may be levied for road operation, and maintenance responsibilities and construction and maintenance needs on the costs assessed value of taxable property within the unincorporated area of the county. • Development of facilities - on other public or school sites if other public or school agencies In 2001, Washington State law was amended by enter into agreements assuming future Proposition 747, a statutory provision limiting the operation and maintenance responsibilities and growth of the regular property tax levy to 1.0% per costs. Or year, after adjustments for new construction. Any proposed increases over this amount are subject to • Any other alternative - including development, a referendum vote. operation or maintenance proposals by user groups or private concessionaires or developers The statute was intended to control local that provide a viable facility in accordance with governmental spending by controlling the annual the park, recreation, and open space strategies rate of growth of property taxes. In practice, outlined. however, the statute can reduce the effective property tax yield to an annual level far below Participants – County Council and Planning a county's levy authorization, particularly when Commission with the assistance of the Parks & property values are increasing rapidly. Recreation and Planning & Development Services Departments, and the participation of cities, park Proposition 747, the statutory provision limiting the and recreation, and school districts. growth of regular property taxes to 1.0% per year, can be waived by referendum approval of a simple Action (50%) majority of Whatcom County’s registered • Adopt a GMA park impact fee for regional voters. Whatcom County voters will be asked to facilities on a county-wide basis – collecting a approve a resetting of the property tax levy rate proportional fee based on the value of regional that will adjust the amount of revenue the county facilities regardless of facility ownership, and can generate. (The new total revenue that will be allocating the fees for regional acquisition generated by a resetting of the rate will be subject and development in accordance with this plan to the same 1.0% limitation, however, and the total regardless of agency sponsor. amount of revenue and the resulting property tax rate will start to decline again in accordance with • Adopt a GMA park impact fee for local facilities the Proposition.) on a UGA basis – collecting a proportional fee
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 61 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
The adjusted rate and revenue will be used to voter approval. fi nance the proposed regional park, recreation, and open space facility proposals in this plan – or the Participants – County Council with the assistance of projects and programs from this plan that involve the Park & Recreation and Planning & Development construction, maintenance, and operations aspects Services Departments, and the participation of that a majority of the voters are willing to pay for cities, park and recreation, and school districts. under the adjusted rate. Action Whatcom County voters may be asked to reset the • Submit and approve REET 3 to acquire and rate on a permanent basis with the new differential develop regional resource conservancy rate dedicated to regional or county-wide parks, and park facilities on a county-wide basis – recreation, and open space proposals, subject to allocating the additional revenues for regional the provisions of Proposition 747. Or Whatcom acquisition and development in accordance with County voters may be asked to reset the rate on a this plan regardless of agency sponsor. temporary basis, where the rate is adjusted until a specifi c amount of revenue has been generated to Approve LOVLF/LOFT fi nance a specifi ed number of regionally-oriented Local Option Vehicle License Fee (LOVLF) - in parks, recreation, and open space projects or accordance with the Transportation Improvement programs – whereupon the rate reverts to the Act (RCW 82.80), County Council may approve original or a specifi ed amount defi ned in the a county-wide Local Option Vehicle License Fee referendum. (LOVLF) of up to $15.00 per vehicle registered within the county. The additional revenue would be Participants – County Council with the assistance of distributed amongst the county and cities within the Park & Recreation and Planning & Development the county that levy the tax on a weighted per Services Departments, and the participation of capita basis for the acquisition, development, and cities, park and recreation, and school districts. maintenance of non-motorized transportation and trail systems specifi ed within this plan. Action Submit and approve a county-wide property tax Local Option Fuel Tax (LOFT) – also in accordance levy rate adjustment (on permanent or temporary with the Transportation Improvement Act (RCW basis) to acquire, develop, and operate regional 82.80), the County Council may submit for county- facilities on a county-wide basis – allocating wide voter approval an optional fuel tax addition the additional revenues for regional acquisition, up to the equivalent of 10% of the statewide Motor development, and operation in accordance with this Vehicle Fuel Tax and a special fuel tax of $0.023 plan regardless of agency sponsor. cents per gallon. The additional revenue would be distributed amongst the county and cities within Approve Real Estate Excise Tax the county that levy the tax on a weighted per (REET) 3 capita basis for the acquisition, development, and County Council may eventually place a proposal maintenance of non-motorized transportation and for voter approval of a third 0.0025% increment to trail systems specifi ed within this plan. the real estate excise tax (REET) for the acquisition and development of regional resource conservancy Participants – County Council with the assistance of and park developments throughout the county. the Park & Recreation and Planning & Development The funds collected from the third REET increment Services Departments, and the participation of will be allocated to the appropriate sponsoring cities. agency, which may include the county, port, city, park district, or non-profi t organization, for the Action realization of regional conservancies and parks • Approve the Local Option Vehicle License Fee identifi ed within this plan. (LOVLF) to acquire, develop, maintain, and operate regional non-motorized transportation RCW 82.46 gives Whatcom County the option of and trail systems on a county-wide basis adding up to three 0.0025% increments to the real – allocating the additional revenues for estate excise tax (REET) for the sole purpose of acquisition, development, maintenance, and fi nancing the acquisition and development (but not operation of regional trail systems in accordance maintenance or operation) of capital improvement with this plan regardless of agency sponsor projects including parks, recreation, and open space facilities. The County Council has adopted the fi rst • Submit and approve the Local Option Fuel two REET options the third may be submitted for Tax (LOFT) to acquire, develop, maintain, and
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 62 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 operate regional non-motorized transportation Participants – County Council with the assistance and trail systems on a county-wide basis of the Park & Recreation Department, and the – allocating the additional revenues for participation of the Port, cities, park and school acquisition, development, maintenance, and districts, and WA P7RC, DNR, and DFW. operation of regional trail systems in accordance with this plan regardless of agency sponsor. Action • Initiate the acquisition, development, INITIATE COUNTY-WIDE REGIONAL PROJECTS maintenance, and operation of regionally- Acquire resource/historical conservancies signifi cant resource or multiuse parks – Using funds generated from tasks 3-6 above, allocating revenues for regionally-signifi cant County Council may acquire and conserve properties in accordance with this plan regionally-signifi cant wildlife, forestland, regardless of agency sponsor. farmlands, and open spaces indicated within this plan on a county-wide basis. Where appropriate, Acquire/develop regional trail systems monies will be allocated to and/or combined with Using funds generated from tasks 3-7 above, monies provided by the Port, cities, park and County Council may acquire, develop, maintain, and recreation districts, state agencies, and non-profi t operate regionally-signifi cant trail systems indicated organizations for regionally signifi cant projects. within this plan on a county-wide basis. Where appropriate, monies will be allocated to and/or Depending on schedules and availabilities, initial combined with monies provided by the Port, cities, acquisitions may include signifi cant sites on park and recreation districts, state agencies, and the Nooksack River, properties fronting on Lake non-profi t organizations for regionally signifi cant Whatcom and saltwater access sites. projects.
Participants – County Council with the assistance of Depending on schedules and availabilities, initial the Park & Recreation and Planning & Development acquisitions and developments may include the Services Departments, and the participation of the completion of the Cascade Marine Water Trail, and Port, cities, park and school districts, WA DNR, multipurpose Bay to Baker Trail, Millennium Coast DFW, Whatcom Land Trust, and other non-profi t Trail, Nooksack River Trail, and Bellingham Bay organizations. Trail, among others.
Action Participants – County Council with the assistance • Initiate the acquisition and conservancy of of the Park & Recreation, Planning & Development regionally-signifi cant resource conservancy Services, and Public Works Departments, and the sites – allocating revenues for regionally- participation of the Port, cities, park districts, and signifi cant properties in accordance with this WA WSDOT, DNR, and DFW. plan regardless of agency sponsor. Action Acquire/develop regional resource or multiuse • Initiate the acquisition, development, parks maintenance, and operation of regionally- Using funds generated from tasks 3-6 above, signifi cant corridors and on and off-road trail County Council may acquire, develop, maintain, systems – allocating revenues for regionally- and operate of regionally-signifi cant resource signifi cant projects in accordance with this or multiuse parks indicated within this plan plan regardless of agency sponsor. on a county-wide basis. Where appropriate, monies will be allocated to and/or combined with Conserve/designate scenic corridors monies provided by the port, cities, park and Using funds generated from tasks 3-7 above, recreation districts, state agencies, and non-profi t County Council may designate and conserve organizations for regionally signifi cant projects. regionally-signifi cant scenic corridors and byways indicated within this plan on a county-wide basis. Depending on schedules and availabilities, initial Where appropriate, rural by design guidelines, acquisitions and developments may include an scenic land use overlays, byway signage, trailheads, expansion of Lighthouse Marine Park on Point and vista development monies will be allocated Roberts, acquisition of a site at Cherry Point and to and/or combined with monies provided by the signifi cant park sites on the Nooksack River, the Port, cities, park and recreation districts, and state development of Lake Whatcom North and South, agencies for regionally signifi cant projects. and Dittrich Park on Lake Samish, among others.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 63 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Depending on schedules and availabilities, initial organizations for regionally signifi cant projects. designations may include the Interstate 5/Samish Lake Greenway, Bellingham Bay, Lummi Island, Depending on schedules and availabilities, initial South Bay and Blue Canyon Road, and South Pass/ acquisitions and developments may include a Silver Lake Roads, among others. community center in Kendall, Sudden Valley, and Birch Bay, among others. Participants – County Council with the assistance of the Park & Recreation, Planning & Development Participants – County Council with the assistance of Services, and Public Works Departments, and the the Park & Recreation and Planning & Community participation of the Port, cities, park districts, and Services Departments, and the participation of WA WSDOT and DNR. the cities, park and school districts, and non-profi t organizations. Action • Initiate the designation, management, Action acquisition, development, maintenance, • Initiate the acquisition and development and operation of regionally-signifi cant of regionally-signifi cant community center scenic corridors, byways, and viewpoints – facilities – allocating revenues for regionally- allocating revenues for regionally-signifi cant signifi cant acquisition and development projects in accordance with this plan projects in accordance with this plan regardless of agency sponsor. regardless of agency sponsor.
Acquire/lease regional sports sites Using funds generated from tasks 3-6 above, IMPLEMENT PROGRAM FINANCING STRATEGIES County Council may acquire and lease for Create WhatcomParks.com development regionally-signifi cant athletic fi eld County Council may develop and operate an sites indicated within this plan on a county-wide internet web-based recreational clearinghouse basis. Where appropriate, acquisition monies will be coordinating recreational program offerings that allocated to and/or combined with monies provided include as wide a variety of activities as there is an by the Port, cities, park and recreation districts, and interest by county residents, regardless of age, skill non-profi t organizations for regionally signifi cant level, income – or program provider. projects. The clearing house will offer recreational program Depending on schedules and availabilities, initial activities providing health, education, social, acquisitions may include an athletic fi eld site in recreational, and other welfare activities for Deming, Kendall, and Birch Bay, among others. children, teens, adults, seniors, and special populations. Participants – County Council with the assistance of the Park & Recreation Department, and the To the extent possible, practical, and consistent participation of the Port, cities, park and school with the county’s mission, programs will be districts, and non-profi t athletic leagues. conducted by county staff or contractors. However, depending on demand, cost, and feasibility, the Action clearing house will also coordinate programs to be • Initiate the acquisition and lease for conducted by other public, non-profi t, or for-profi t development of regionally-signifi cant organizations and even vendors. athletic fi eld sites – allocating revenues for regionally-signifi cant acquisition projects To the extent possible and practical, program in accordance with this plan regardless of offerings will include activities that will be agency sponsor. conducted in county parks, community centers, and trail facilities. However, depending on demand, the Acquire/develop community center facilities clearinghouse will also include program offerings Using funds generated from tasks 3-6 above, that may be conducted in schools and other public County Council will acquire and develop or facilities inside or out of the county, as well as at otherwise provide regionally-signifi cant community non-profi t and for-profi t sites and facilities. centers indicated within this plan on a county-wide basis. Where appropriate, acquisition, development, Participants – County Council with the assistance and/or lease monies will be allocated to and/ of the Park & Recreation Department, and the or combined with monies provided by the Port, participation of the cities, park and school districts, cities, park and recreation districts, and non-profi t non-profi t organizations, and private vendors.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 64 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14 Action programs in accordance with this plan • Create and operate an internet web- regardless of activity provider. based recreational clearinghouse for regionally-signifi cant recreational activities Recruit program vendors – allocating web-site information for County Council may assess the mission criteria regionally-signifi cant recreational programs for all program offerings the county is considering in accordance with this plan regardless of of providing with staff, contract instructors, or agency sponsor. vendors. If programs are not consistent with the county’s park and recreation mission and level-of- Revise user fee schedules service proposals shown in this plan, the county will County Council may assess the mission criteria not offer the program, but will recruit and facilitate for all program offerings the county is considering the program to be offered by other providers of providing with staff, contract instructors, or including the option of partnering or brokering the vendors. If the program is consistent with the program, and/or offering scholarships or other county’s park and recreation mission and level-of- services, and/or publishing the program offering on service proposals shown in this plan, the county will the clearinghouse. offer the program under a pricing policy or goal that establishes a public versus private good or benefi t Depending on the program activity, other vendors scale under one of the following 3 cost recovery may include: scenarios: • Other jurisdictions – including the park • Enterprise (full cost recovery) programs - and recreation districts in Blaine and Point will recover all direct costs (including full Roberts, cities, school districts, Whatcom and part-time staff, supplies, materials, Community College and Western Washington maintenance, and utilities) and indirect costs University, Lummi Indian Nation and (including department overhead for staff Nooksack Tribes, Washington State Parks & benefi ts). Recreation Commission and Departments of Fish & Wildlife and Natural Resources, US • Merit pricing (partial cost recovery) Forest Service, and National Park Service programs – will partially recover direct and (NPS). indirect costs based on a policy decision about the degree to which each program • Non-profi t organizations – such as the provides public versus private goods or Whatcom County Soccer League, YMCA benefi ts. Merit pricing programs may also and YWCA, Boys & Girls Club, Boy and Girl include the providing of scholarships to Scouts, Campfi re USA, Lions, Rotary, and eligible user individuals or user groups that Kiwanis Clubs, Elks, VFW, and Granges, would prevent the program for realizing full 4-H Clubs, and Volunteers for Outdoor cost recovery. Recreation, among others.
• Subsidy (no or very low cost recovery) • Private for-profi t entities and vendors – programs – will not attempt to recover costs such as KOA, Bellingham Motorcycle Club, as a fee, although it may ask for donations Downstream River Runners, Osprey River or grants from using individuals, groups, Adventures, Reachout Expeditions, Outward or organizations who benefi t or are likely Bound West, North Cascades Mtn Guides, sponsors. and Pasayten Llama Packing, among others.
Participants – County Council with the assistance Participants – County Council with the assistance of the Park & Recreation Department, and the of the Park & Recreation Department, and the participation of the cities, park and school districts, participation of the cities, park and school districts, non-profi t organizations, and private vendors. non-profi t organizations, and private vendors.
Action Action • Revise user fee schedules to refl ect a public • Recruit and facilitate sponsors and vendors versus private goods and benefi ts scale for to provide regionally-signifi cant recreational regionally-signifi cant recreational activities activities – that will not be provided by – collecting user fees under an enterprise, county staff for regionally-signifi cant merit, or subsidy based cost recovery recreational programs in accordance with police for regionally-signifi cant recreational this plan regardless of the public or private
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 65 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
nature of the activity provider. using the density ranges and policies of the Comprehensive Plan. FOLLOW-UP Conduct progress assessments • Policies that supplement the objectives, County Council may conduct progress assessments principles and standards of the Comprehensive reviewing action on the regionally-signifi cant Plan. projects and programs identifi ed above and improve methods, assign responsibilities, or take • Design features to be encouraged in capital other measures necessary to ensure effective facilities, multi-family residential, commercial implementation. and industrial construction and landscaping. Design features may include site planning, Participants – County Council and Planning building design and other features that affect Commission with the assistance of the Parks & the character of a community. Recreation, Planning & Community Services, and Public Works Departments and the participation • Use of Comprehensive Plan policies to achieve of the Port, cities, park and school districts, WA environmental protection, create open space, P&RC, DNR, DFW, and WSDOT, USFS, NPS, non- provide affordable housing, and accomplish profi t organizations, private vendors, and citizens at other Comprehensive Plan objectives. large. Relationship of community plans to this plan Action A community plan and the parks, recreation, & • Adjust regional parks, recreation, and open open space plan are both considered to be part of space vision, strategies, and implementing the Comprehensive Plan and must be consistent measures – based on the results of the with the Comprehensive Plan and County-wide follow-up assessments. Planning Policies. In addition, community plans may also amend the County's Comprehensive Plan in LOCAL PLAN AND PROGRAM ELEMENTS accordance with RCW 36.70A. Local elements of the parks, recreation and open space plan are defi ned with each city or park Within the context of the parks, recreation, & district’s planning document, or in the community open space plan, community plans may defi ne the planning documents of the urban growth areas following: (UGAs) of Whatcom County. • An inventory of existing parks, recreation, Local parks, recreation, and open space plans and open space facilities located within the Local plans may be derived based on the results of community planning area; fi eld analysis, environmental inventories, demand analysis, workshop-planning sessions, and in some • An analysis of how these facilities compare to cases, surveys of resident households. existing countywide LOS standards;
Whatcom County community (subarea) • Proposed LOS standards for those facilities that planning documents are not addressed at the countywide level; Community plans are allowed under the Growth Management Act (GMA). In Whatcom County, the • Site planning, building design, preferred uses, process is intended to foster a community's desired and park facility requirements for existing and character and typically will include the following in proposed facilities; the plan: • Prioritization of desired capital improvements • Public participation by involving community within the planning area; residents in plan development and amendment. • Funding strategies for implementing community • An articulated vision for the community. scale facilities; and
• Features and characteristics of communities to • Implementing actions for any polices related to be retained, developed, preserved, enhanced or parks, recreation, or open space. corrected.
• Areas for commercial, industrial, residential, capital facilities, recreation and other land uses,
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 66 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
In Whatcom County the provision of neighborhood POPULATION PROJECTIONS 2015 - 2040 etions 2015-4 and community parks is primarily the responsibility Whatcom County’s population in 1900 was 24,116 of the Cities and Park Districts. Whatcom County persons located primarily along the Bellingham Bay does not have the capacity to add neighborhood waterfront. The county’s population increased to parks to the County’s inventory and will continue to 49,511 persons by 1910 or by an annual rate of work with communities in rural areas and UGAs to growth of 7.5% as railroads extended into Whatcom develop community parks if community sponsorship County and the area’s logging, agriculture, and and cost sharing for development and maintenance fi shing industries grew in importance. is a major component. In UGAs, the expectation is that once a UGA is annexed, ultimately the Whatcom County population growth increased at responsibility for the development and maintenance a slight rate averaging between 0.2% to 1.6% will be the city’s. per year from 1920 to 1970, then by an average annual rate of 2.7% to 1.9% from 1970 to 2010 as Whatcom County does not foresee adding any the area urbanized and resource industries were additional neighborhood parks to its inventory. less infl uential on the area’s economic growth. The county’s growth rate declined to an annual average PROGRAM ELEMENTS - REGIONAL rate of 0.9% between 2010 and 2015 due largely The following proposals concerning elements of to the impact of the economic recession on area the recreational programs approach are based on industries and in-migration. the results of demand analysis, workshop planning sessions, and the mail-out/phone-back survey Washington State’s Offi ce of Financial Management of resident households. The proposals outline (OFM) expects Whatcom County rate of growth will the vision developed for REGIONAL recreational gradually decline from 1.4% on an annual average programs within Whatcom County for the next 6 basis between 2015 and 2020 to 1.0% by 2035 to years. The program proposals are CONCEPTUAL, 2040 due to economic and in-migration infl uences in some instances, subject to further study and statewide. coordination with public and private participants that may modify the eventual program particulars. RECREATION DEMAND 2012 - 2040 Every 6 years each state must develop a Statewide See the appendix chapters on existing recreational Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) programs for a description of Whatcom County’s in order to remain eligible to receive federal Land current program particulars. & Water Conservation Funds (LWCF) for matching grants for the acquisition and development of parks and recreational facilities by local jurisdictions.
WhatcomCountypopulationprojections 300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000 284,901 271,142 256,643
100,000 241,138 225,307 210,050 201,140
50,000 166,814 127,780 106,700 81,893 70,317 66,733 49,511 60,355 59,128 4,116 0 50,600
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 67 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
The Washington State’s Recreation & Conservation • walking without a pet - 62.9%, Offi ce (RCO – formerly the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC)) develops the SCORP • picnicking - 48.4%, for Washington State. As part of the SCORP process, RCO conducts a detailed recreation • bicycle riding - 37.7%, participation survey by which to determine demand • socializing at an event at a community center - and thereby need for specifi c park and recreation 35.9%, facilities in state and local jurisdictions. • walking with a pet - 35.8%, The last RCO recreation participation survey was conducted in 2006 and involved a year-long survey • observing or photographing wildlife - 34.2%, of monthly participation by survey participants drawn from every age, gender, racial, and income • fl ower or vegetable gardening - 33.6%, group from 10 regions in the state. The survey determined the percent of the population that • playground activities - 33.6%, participated in 15 major activity categories each month of the year, the number of times, and the • aerobics/fi tness at a facility - 33.4%, type and location of the facility (urban or rural, indoor or outdoor, in a public park or out-of-park • jogging or running - 32.6%, setting, etc). These activities were found to appeal to the The survey found slight differences in participation broadest segments of the population regardless of rates in recreational activities between gender, age, gender, income, or race. race, and income, and major differences by age and Conversely, activities with the lowest participation region rates include: Generally, younger ages participate to a greater • rugby - 0.0%, extent in active pursuits including athletics and extreme sports while older age groups are more • lacrosse - 0.5%, active in walking, biking, gardening, and wildlife observation. The latter activities will become more • bicycle touring - 0.5%, prominent as the population ages due to the affects of the baby boom. • scuba or skin diving - 0.9%,
Regional differences are also apparent where • skateboarding – 3.1%, boating, fi shing, and other aquatic pursuits are more pronounced in regions around Puget Sound, • court games like handball, racquetball, and the Columbia River, and Pacifi c Ocean, while squash – 3.9%, hunting, camping, and off-road recreational vehicles (ORV) are more pronounced in the inland counties. • softball – 3.4%,
Differences are also apparent between urban • badminton – 4.1%, counties like Whatcom County where activities These activities were found to appeal to a limited occur more often at athletic parks, community age or enthusiast group. centers, and trails compared with rural counties where activities occur more often outside of parks Frequency rates in rural settings. The frequency rate is the average number of times an average participant engages in the activity This planning effort utilizes the results of the over a year’s time. Since the frequency rate is an surveys for the Puget Sound region – or the most average, it may include a person who plays softball urban population and setting in the state for the once a year at an annual picnic, for example, and average monthly participation and frequency a person who regularly plays in a softball league rates for 17 activities of most interest to an urban numerous times per year. jurisdiction and sponsoring agency.
Participation rates Activities in Puget Sound which realize the highest participation rate (the percent of the population that engages in the activity) include:
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 68 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Participationratebyactivity
Socialeventatcommunitycenter Classorinstructionatcenter Artsandcraftsclassoractivityatcntr ActivityͲatacommunitycenter Golf Softball Baseball Soccer Lacrosse Rugby Football Tennis Basketball VolleyballͲin/outdoorfacility Courtgameslikehandball,racquetball,and… Badminton Skateboarding RollerorinͲlineskating Swimminginapool Joggingorrunning Activities Weightconditioningatafacility Aerobics/fitnessactivitiesatafacility Playgroundactivitiessuchasswingsorslides Bicycletouring Bicycleriding Hiking Walkingwithoutapet Walkingwithapet Scubaorskindiving Canoeing,kayaking,rowboating Swimmingorwadingatabeach Beachcombing Picnic,BBQ,orcookout Flowerorvegetablegardening Gatherorcollectthingsinanaturesetting Observeorphotographwildlifeornature Visitanatureinterpretivecenter 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 69 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Annualaveragefrequencybyactivity
Socialeventatcommunitycenter Classorinstructionatcenter Artsandcraftsclassoractivityatcntr ActivityͲatacommunitycenter Golf Softball Baseball Soccer Lacrosse Rugby Football Tennis Basketball VolleyballͲin/outdoorfacility Courtgameslikehandball,racquetball,andsquash Badminton Skateboarding RollerorinͲlineskating Swimminginapool Joggingorrunning Activities Weightconditioningatafacility Aerobics/fitnessactivitiesatafacility Playgroundactivitiessuchasswingsorslides Bicycletouring Bicycleriding Hiking Walkingwithoutapet Walkingwithapet Scubaorskindiving Canoeing,kayaking,rowboating Swimmingorwadingatabeach Beachcombing Picnic,BBQ,orcookout Flowerorvegetablegardening Gatherorcollectthingsinanaturesetting Observeorphotographwildlifeornature Visitanatureinterpretivecenter 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 70 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Numberofactivityoccasionsin2040
Socialeventatcommunitycenter Classorinstructionatcenter Artsandcraftsclassoractivityatcntr ActivityͲatacommunitycenter Golf Softball Baseball Soccer Lacrosse Rugby Football Tennis Basketball VolleyballͲin/outdoorfacility Handball,racquetball,andsquash Badminton Skateboarding RollerorinͲlineskating Swimminginapool Joggingorrunning Activities Weightconditioningatafacility Aerobics/fitnessactivitiesatafacility Playgroundactivitiessuchasswingsorslides Bicycletouring Bicycleriding Hiking Walkingwithoutapet Walkingwithapet Scubaorskindiving Canoeing,kayaking,rowboating Swimmingorwadingatabeach Beachcombing Picnic,BBQ,orcookout Flowerorvegetablegardening Gatherorcollectthingsinanaturesetting Observeorphotographwildlifeornature Visitanatureinterpretivecenter 0 200,000 400,000 600,000 800,000 1,000,000
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 71 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Consequently, the average rate will be lower than to reside in Whatcom County from 2015 to 2040. an enthusiast may recognize based on their own behavior. The average rate is accurate, however, The total number of activity occurrences that could for the purpose of projecting the total volume that result if all activity were to occur in Whatcom could be generated by occasional and frequent County programs and facilities would be 13,040,409 players. in 2015 increasing to 17,687,339 by 2040 or by 4,646,930 or 36%%. Activities which realize the highest frequency rate (the number of times a participant engages in the Activities which would generate the greatest activity per year) include: potential annual volume in 2040 were all activity to happen in Whatcom County programs and facilities • walking without a pet – 27.44, would be from:
• walking with a pet – 16.05, • walking without a pet – 4,920,140 occurrences,
• observing or photographing wildlife – 14.92, • walking with a pet – 1,637,971,
• jogging or running – 11.49, • observing or photographing wildlife or nature – 1,455,202, • playground activities – 10.86, • running or jogging – 1,067,588, • skateboarding – 10.39, • playground activities – 1,040,224, These activities appeal to broad segments of the population, as in walking and wildlife observation, • aerobics or fi tness conditioning – 888,305, or to enthusiasts who will engage in the activity or a frequent basis, as in jogging, playground, and • fl ower or vegetable gardening – 780,877, skateboarding. • bicycle riding – 755,957, Activities which realize the lowest frequency rate include: • picnicking – 676,245,
• rugby – 0.00, Except for aerobics or fi tness conditioning, the majority of these activities can be accommodated • visiting a nature interpretive center – 1.48, on trails, conservancy areas, or neighborhood parks. • court games like handball, racquetball, or squash – 1.66, Activities which would generate the lowest potential annual volume in 2040 were all activity to happen • lacrosse – 2.00, in Whatcom County would be from:
• bicycle touring – 2.34, • rugby – 0 occurrences,
• social event at a community center – 2.36, • lacrosse – 2,771,
• beachcombing – 2.62, • bicycle touring – 3,637,
These activities may occur during other events, • scuba or skin diving – 12,133, as in visiting a nature center or beachcombing, or season, as in bicycle touring, or simply of a • court games like handball, racquetball, or specialized schedule, as in a social event at a squash – 18,325, community center.
Annual volumes in Whatcom County 2015- 2040 Recreational Clearinghouse The potential annual activity volume or occurrence Whatcom County will operate an internet web- that could result were the entire population of based recreational clearinghouse coordinating Whatcom County to engage in these activities in recreational program offerings that include as Whatcom County is determined by multiplying wide a variety of activities as there is an interest the Puget Sound region participation rate by the by county residents, regardless of age, skill level, frequency rate by the number of persons expected income – or program provider.
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 72 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Recreational program offerings that will be offered Whatcom County programs – where there is through the clearinghouse will include activities suffi cient demand to meet the county’s park providing health, education, social, recreational, and recreation mission and pricing and delivery and other welfare activities for children, teens, objectives; adults, seniors, and special populations. Other jurisdictions – including the park and To the extent possible, practical, and consistent recreation districts in Blaine and Point Roberts, with the county’s mission, programs will be cities, school districts, Whatcom Community College conducted by county staff or contractors. However, and Western Washington University, Lummi Indian depending on demand, cost, and feasibility, the Nation and Nooksack Tribes, Washington State clearinghouse will also coordinate programs to be Parks & Recreation Commission and Departments conducted by other public, non-profi t, or for-profi t of Fish & Wildlife and Natural Resources, US Forest organizations and even vendors. Service, and National Park Service (NPS);
To the extent possible and practical, program Non-profi t organizations – such as the Whatcom offerings will include activities that will be County Soccer League, YMCA and YWCA, Boys & conducted in county parks, community centers, and Girls Club, Boy and Girl Scouts, Campfi re USA, trail facilities. However, depending on demand, the Lions, Rotary, and Kiwanis Clubs, Elks, VFW, and clearinghouse will also include program offerings Granges, 4-H Clubs, and Volunteers for Outdoor that may be conducted in schools and other public Recreation, among others; and facilities inside or out of the county, as well as at non-profi t and for-profi t sites and facilities. Private for-profi t entities and vendors – such as KOA, Bellingham Motorcycle Club, Downstream Vision River Runners, Osprey River Adventures, Reachout The internet web-based recreational clearinghouse Expeditions, Outward Bound West, North Cascades may be realized through the coordination of: Mountain Guides, and Pasayten Llama Packing, among others.
Recreationalprogrammingmodel–clearinghousealaexpedia.com
Transportation Jobs Adventureoutings Socialclubs Drama Financialadvice Activities Athletics Speakers Music Meals/nutrition Events Before/afterschool Aerobics Meetingfacilities Artsandcrafts Wellness Meetingfacilities Daycare Recreation Social Arts Senior Teen Child Activitydemands–asampler
WhatcomCounty Parks&RctnͲ WhatcomRctn.com
DeliverySources–asampler WhatcomCounty OtherJurisdictions NonͲprofits Profits Parks&Recreation Othercities Athleticleagues DownstreamRiverRunners SchoolDistricts Boys&GirlsClub OspreyRiverAdventures College/University Boy/GirlScouts ReachoutExpeditions Lummi/NooksackTribes CampfireUSA OutwardBoundWest WADNR/Parks&RctnComm YMCA/YWCA NorthCascadesMtnGuides USFS/NPS Lions/RotaryClubs PasaytenLlamaPacking 4ͲH/VolunteersOutdoorRctn Facilities–asampler WhatcomCounty Otherjurisdictions NonͲprofits Profits Parkfacilities Othercityfacilities Granges KOA Othercountyfacilities Schoolfacilities Churches Resorts Leasedfacilities Collegefacilities Elks/VFW Motorcycletracks Tribalfacilities StateParkfacilities USFS/NPSfacilities
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 73 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Proposedprogrampricinganddeliveryoptions
Istheprogram No WhatcomCounty consistentwith doesnotoffer themission program
Yes Should Whatcom No County directly Yes provide?
WhatcomCounty DoesWhatcomCounty conductsprogram facilitateservice? Yes Yes Yes
Partner/brokerwith Givescholarships SchoolDistrict, tootherprovider Which YMCA,AthleticClub toofferservice pricing policy? WhatcomCounty websitecoordinates withmultipleproviders
Fullorpartial Fullrecovery subsidy? cost?
Merit Pricing?
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 74 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
4.5 WHATCOM COUNTY PRICING AND system. DELIVERY CRITERIA Merit pricing (partial cost recovery) Whatcom County will continuously assess the programs – will partially recover direct and mission criteria illustrated in the program formula indirect costs based on a policy decision about for all program offerings the county is considering the degree to which each program provides of providing with staff, contract instructors, or public versus private goods or benefi ts. Merit vendors: pricing programs may also include the providing of scholarships to eligible user individuals or 1. Is the program consistent with the user groups that would prevent the program for county’s park and recreation mission and realizing full cost recovery. level of service proposals as shown in the matrix in chapter 2? Merit pricing program determinations will consider the degree to which the program If not - the county does not offer the program, provides a public benefi t to the public at large but may facilitate the program to be offered or to special users within the general population by other providers including the option of (such as teens or seniors); whether the program partnering or brokering the program, and/or can or is able to be offered by other providers offering scholarships or other services, and/ at a reasonable cost; and the practicality of or publishing the program offering on the collecting fees for service. clearinghouse. Generally, merit pricing programs may include 2. If yes – should the county directly provide teen day camps and fi eld activities, youth the program? sports fi eld rentals, senior health and nutrition programs, and safety and instruction programs If not – the county does not offer the program, of all kinds. but may facilitate the program to be offered by other providers including the option of Subsidy (no or very low cost recovery) partnering or brokering the program, and/or programs – will not attempt to recover costs offering scholarships or other services, and/ as a fee, although it may ask for donations or publishing the program offering on the or grants from using individuals, groups, or clearinghouse. organizations who benefi t or are likely sponsors.
3. If yes – what pricing policy or goal should Generally, subsidy programs benefi t the the county establish for the program on a population at large suffi ciently to justify the use public good or benefi t versus private good of public funding and/or include activities that or benefi t scale – full cost recovery, merit are not practical to effectively recover a fee pricing, or full subsidy? or charge, such as special events or festivals, interpretive exhibits, and trail related activities. Enterprise (full cost recovery) programs - will recover all direct costs (including full 4.6 WHATCOM COUNTY PROGRAM PROPOSALS and part-time staff, supplies, materials, Based on the proposed policies and strategies maintenance, and utilities) and indirect costs above, the county could offer and/or facilitate the (including department overhead for staff following programs over the next 6 year period (the benefi ts). examples are not necessarily comprehensive or indicative of what may be offered in any given time Generally, full cost recovery programs will period). include services that primarily provide private Existing recreational programs goods or benefi ts to a specialized user group, Depending on the continued assessment of price such as gun and rifl e ranges, equestrian and delivery options outlined above, Whatcom facilities, adult sports fi eld rentals, adult County may or could offer the following recreational classes, and all facility rentals including cabins, programs conducted by county staff, contract campsites, boats, and the like. instructors, or vendors at county parks, community centers, and trail facilities. In some instances, the county may add a surcharge to recover a slight profi t or return on investment with which to defray long term life cycle costs for maintenance and repair, and/or to reinvest in similar facilities elsewhere in the
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 75 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Level5 HighlyIndividual Benefit
Level5 HighlyIndividual Benefit
Level3 Individual/Community Benefit
Level2 Community/IndividualBenefit
Level1 CommunityBenefit
ProposedWhatcomCountyRecreationPyramid
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 76 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
InterpreƟ ve AcƟ viƟ es Site or Facility LocaƟ on 1 Environmental and wildlife exhibits, walks, Lighthouse Marine, Tennant Lake, Semiahmoo, Silver programs, and events Lake, Stimpson, Lily Point, Pt. Whitehorn 2 Historical, archaeological, and heritage Hovander Homestead, Roeder Home, Semiahmoo, exhibits, walks, programs, and events Silver Lake-Black Mountain 3 Farm and agricultural exhibits, programs, Hovander Homestead, Silver Lake and events Outdoor RecreaƟ on Site or Facility LocaƟ on 4 Swimming beaches – lifeguards Samish Park, Silver Lake 5 Picnic shelters and lodges – rentals Hovander Homestead, Lighthouse Marine, Samish Park, Silver Lake 6 Campsites and cabins – rentals Silver Lake, Lighthouse Marine 7 Youth day use and overnight summer camps Bay Horizon, Silver Lake – programs 8 Family or group picnic and camping events Lighthouse Marine, Silver Lake – rentals 9 Canoes, boats, and other equipment – Samish Park, Silver Lake rentals 10 Swimming and boating – safety instruction Samish Park, Silver Lake
11 Gun and archery – safety instruction Plantation Rifle Range Trail AcƟ viƟ es Site or Facility LocaƟ on 12 Kayaking – youth, adult, family groups Silver Lake, Semiahmoo, Lighthouse Marine, Samish Park 13 Hiking – youth, adult, family groups Bay to Baker Trail, Hertz Trail, Silver Lake, Lookout Mtn., Chuckanut Mtn., Canyon Lake 14 Biking – youth, adult, family groups Bay to Baker Trail, Hertz Trail 15 Equestrian – youth, adult, family groups Bay to Baker Trail, Silver Lake-Black Mountain, Sunset Farm AthleƟ c Events Site or Facility LocaƟ on 16 Soccer, softball, and baseball camps Northwest Soccer Fields Special Events Site or Facility LocaƟ on 17 Festivals – music, drama, cultural Hovander Homestead, Lighthouse Marine 18 Weddings and parties – rentals Hovander Homestead, Roeder Home, Semiahmoo, Silver Lake Community Centers Site or Facility LocaƟ on 19 Health and nutrition including meals on Blaine, Lynden, Sumas, Everson, Welcome, Ferndale, wheels – seniors Bellingham, Point Roberts 20 Physical conditioning and wellness Bellingham, Lynden, Blaine, Ferndale 21 Arts and crafts programs Point Roberts, Blaine, Lynden, Sumas, Everson, Welcome, Ferndale, Bellingham 22 Music and dance events Point Roberts, Blaine, Lynden, Sumas, Everson, Welcome, Ferndale, Bellingham 23 Social – clubhouse and events Point Roberts, Blaine, Lynden, Sumas, Everson, Welcome, Ferndale, Bellingham Volunteer OpportuniƟ es Site or Facility LocaƟ on 24 Work parties – youth and adults Silver Lake 25 Camp and trail ranger programs Silver Lake
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 77 of 78 Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DRAFT 02/07/14
Proposed recreational programs Depending on the continued assessment of price and delivery options outlined above, Whatcom County will likely offer the following additional recreational programs to be conducted by county staff, contract instructors, or vendors at county parks, community centers, and trail facilities: InterpreƟ ve AcƟ viƟ es Site or Facility LocaƟ on 1 Environmental and wildlife exhibits, walks, Nesset Farm, Cherry Point, Nooksack River programs, and events 2 Historical, archaeological, and heritage Nesset Farm, Nooksack River exhibits, walks, programs, and events 3 Farm and agricultural exhibits, programs, Nesset Farm, Cherry Point and events Outdoor RecreaƟ on Site or Facility LocaƟ on 4 Swimming beaches – lifeguards Dittrich Park, Lake Whatcom North and South 5 Picnic shelters and lodges – rentals Dittrich Park, Lake Whatcom North and South, Cherry Point 6 Campsites and cabins – rentals Lake Whatcom South, Cherry Point 7 Youth day use and overnight summer camps Lake Whatcom South, Cherry Point, Nooksack River – programs 8 Family or group picnic and camping events Lake Whatcom South, Cherry Point – rentals 9 Canoes, boats, and other equipment – Lake Whatcom North and South rentals 10 Swimming and boating – safety instruction Lake Whatcom North and South
11 Gun and archery – safety instruction Trail AcƟ viƟ es Site or Facility LocaƟ on 12 Kayaking – youth, adult, family groups Semiahmoo, Nooksack River 13 Hiking – youth, adult, family groups Millennium Trail, Nooksack River Trail, Lake Whatcom Park, Lookout Mtn., South Fork 14 Biking – youth, adult, family groups Millennium Trail, Nooksack River Trail 15 Equestrian – youth, adult, family groups Millennium Trail, Nooksack River Trail, South Fork
AthleƟ c Events Site or Facility LocaƟ on 16 Soccer, softball, and baseball camps Bay Horizon Park, EWRRC Special Events Site or Facility LocaƟ on 17 Festivals – music, drama, cultural South Fork 18 Weddings and parties – rentals Community Centers Site or Facility LocaƟ on 19 Health and nutrition including meals on Bay Horizon, EWRRC, Sudden Valley wheels – 20 Physical conditioning and wellness Bay Horizon, EWRRC 21 Arts and crafts programs Bay Horizon, EWRRC, Sudden Valley 22 Music and dance events Bay Horizon, EWRRC 23 Social – clubhouse and events Bay Horizon, EWRRC, Sudden Valley Volunteer OpportuniƟ es Site or Facility LocaƟ on 24 Work parties – youth and adults Bay to Baker Trail, Hovander Homestead, Hertz Trail, Nooksack River Trail 25 Camp and trail ranger programs Bay to Baker Trail, Hovander Homestead, Hertz Trail, Nooksack River Trail
Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan 2014 Implementation Page 78 of 78