Admin Note: The following is a note from Leslie Bryson, Design and Development Manager for Bellingham Parks and Recreation Dept. For further information, you can reach her at (360) 778-7000.

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Meeting Information:
Citizens are invited to participate in public meeting for the draft Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan update on Monday, April 7 at the Bellingham Public Library Lecture Room, with an open house from 6-7 followed by a formal presentation and comment period.

Project Summary:
The City of Bellingham is updating its Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan (PRO Plan), a six-year plan that becomes part of the City's Comprehensive Plan. The PRO Plan will analyze the supply, demand and need for park and recreation services and facilities within Bellingham city limits and urban growth area.

This process is being guided by a citizen steering committee made up of members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Greenway Advisory Committee, Planning Commission, Whatcom County Parks Commission, and at-large citizen members.

Progress
• Completed inventory of existing park land, including trails and open space • One public workshop in February 2008 with approximately 60 people attending • Random sample household survey and web-based survey conducted by the local firm, Applied Research Northwest

The information collected from the survey, public and steering committee meetings, along with input from neighborhood associations, Greenway public input meetings in 2007, and North Bellingham Trail Plan public meetings are being used to develop a recommended capital facilities plan.