A new park with housing is planned for Bellingham, and you can help pick a name
Bellingham officials are in the process of planning a 29-acre mostly wooded park in a growing area east of Bellis Fair mall, and they want some help picking a name.
Its first trails could open this year, the city said at its website, with more trails and recreational opportunities planned when funding becomes available. The park is on East Bakerview Road between Deemer Road and James Street in the King Mountain neighborhood.
The site features about 9 acres of cleared hayfields, a creek and 20 acres of forest and wetlands.
“The property will be used for a new neighborhood park, trail network, stream restoration, and residential development,” the city said.
Bellingham bought the site in 2020 for $2.3 million using Greenways Levy funds. The city received a $376,508 grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office to fund part of the purchase price.
“The results of (a) feasibility study showed that there is adequate acreage to for park use and a 3.5-acre parcel of land at the northwest corner of the property could be used for housing,” the city states at the project website. “At this time, the city’s intention is to reserve this parcel for a future affordable housing development. If financially feasible and the city proceeded with this decision, it would use housing resources to pay back the Greenways fund. The affordable housing development would help pay for developing the full parcel, including the neighborhood park.”
To suggest a name, visit the Engage Bellingham website and look for the Bakerview Neighborhood Park Master Plan.
City officials are looking for a name ”that reflects the neighborhood’s values, character, and needs,” according to the website.
Current suggestions include Wildgrove Park, Komo Grove Park, Skygrove Park and Wildwood Park.
Contributions will be accepted until May 28. Then, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will make a name recommendation for City Council consideration. A design phase will start after that, with construction set to start in 2027.
