Parks & Community Services Board

Summary

The Parks & Community Services Board reviewed and discussed draft minutes from their October 15, 2025 meeting. Key discussions included the department's successful CAPRA reaccreditation with a perfect score, highlighting their commitment to best practices in park and recreation management over 20 years. The board also discussed proposed guidelines for park naming, aiming to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to provide more historical context for proposed names, especially those honoring individuals or cultural significance.

Citizen Impact

Residents can be assured of high-quality park and recreation services due to national accreditation, and will have more input and clarity on how parks are named in the future.

Confidence

high

Summary

This report details the status of various Parks Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects funded by the 2022 Parks & Open Space Levy and other sources. Key updates include:

• Trail Network: Expansions and improvements are underway or in design for Coal Creek, Forest Ridge, and Eastrail connections. Red Cedar Trailhead is being upgraded for accessibility.
• Community Parks: Master plans for Bellevue Airfield Park (including an aquatic center, pickleball courts, and playground) and Ashwood Park are advancing. A new Eastgate Neighborhood Park is being developed on a recently acquired site.
• Waterfront Projects: Planning for Meydenbauer Bay Park Phase 2 is progressing, with construction documentation underway. Demolition of the deteriorated boathouse at Clyde Beach Park is scheduled over the next 1-2 years, and a shoreline renovation at Chism Beach Park is being studied.
• Sports & Recreation: Pop-up off-leash dog areas are being tested, with permanent sites established. Pickleball courts have received new striping and nets, and cricket markings are being added to fields at Robinswood Community Park as part of turf replacement (construction late 2025-spring 2026).
• Other CIP Projects: Relocation of Kelsey Creek Park restrooms is in design (construction winter 2026-27), and a new Parks Operations Facility is planned (construction 2027). Robinswood Park playground updates are in design (construction 2027).

Citizen Impact

Residents can anticipate improved and expanded park facilities, trails, and recreational amenities across the city, with specific upgrades to playgrounds, sports courts, and waterfront areas, alongside new park developments.

Confidence

high

Summary

The 2025 Summer Park Ranger Program, running annually from Memorial Day through Labor Day, deployed uniformed rangers to enhance visitor experiences and support park operations. Rangers focused on education, community service, stewardship, and collaboration, engaging with the public through over 59,400 positive contacts and completing nearly 3,000 patrols citywide. The program also supported environmental stewardship and equity initiatives, reinforcing Bellevue's commitment to being a safe, sustainable, and inclusive "City in a Park".

Citizen Impact

Residents benefit from enhanced park safety, improved visitor experiences, and greater environmental stewardship through the visible presence and services of the Summer Park Rangers.

Confidence

high

Summary

The 2025 Well K.E.P.T. (Kids Environmental Project Training) program, a summer youth employment initiative by Bellevue Parks’ Natural Resource Division, has successfully concluded its 37th year. Funded by a King Conservation District grant, the program provided teens with job skills and career development in park resource management, focusing on parkland restoration and maintenance. Key accomplishments include building a 560 ft trail in Ardmore Park and clearing 10,062 sq ft of English ivy in Wilburton Hill Park and 56,192 sq ft of jewelweed in Kelsey Creek Park. The program also included workshops on urban forestry, resume building, mock interviews, and ecology.

Citizen Impact

This program provides valuable job training and environmental stewardship experience for local teens, while also contributing to the maintenance and restoration of Bellevue's parks.

Confidence

high

Summary

The Crossroads Community Center (CCC) is a facility offering a variety of programs for recreation, education, theater, arts, health and wellness, community involvement, human and social services, and diversity engagement. It serves as an international welcoming place to build relationships and bridge cultures and generations. This item is for information only, with no Board action requested at the November 19, 2025, Parks & Community Services Board meeting.

Citizen Impact

Residents can access a variety of programs and services at the Crossroads Community Center, fostering community and cultural exchange.

Confidence

high

Summary

This memo provides an update on projects funded by the 2022 Parks & Open Space Levy, approved by Bellevue voters in November 2022. The levy, which increases the city's regular levy by approximately 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value for nine years (15 cents for acquisition/development, 5 cents for maintenance), is funding a variety of initiatives. These include open space preservation (e.g., Coal Creek Natural Area), trail development, community and neighborhood park improvements (e.g., Ashwood Park Master Plan update), aquatic center design, waterfront restoration, and emerging sports facilities. A reporting strategy is being developed to inform residents about levy progress through a logo, biennial reports, an enhanced webpage, and social media.

Citizen Impact

Residents will see continued investment and improvements in parks, trails, and open spaces across Bellevue, funded by a dedicated levy approved in 2022.

Confidence

high

Summary

The Parks & Community Services Board is reviewing proposed updates to its bylaws. These updates aim to align the bylaws with recent City Council ordinances (Ordinance 6864 and 6865) and Bellevue City Code revisions. Key changes include extending the maximum exclusion period for disruptive public comment from 60 to 180 days and clarifying the appeal process for such exclusions. Additionally, the bylaws will be amended to limit service on any City of Bellevue advisory board or commission to two consecutive terms, a change intended to foster broader community participation. Minor non-substantive and formatting updates are also included.

Citizen Impact

Residents participating in public comment at Parks & Community Services Board meetings may face longer exclusion periods (up to 180 days) for disruptive behavior, and new limits on consecutive terms for board service may affect future appointments.

Confidence

high