Bellevue Parks and Community Services Board Meeting - April 16, 2026

The Parks and Community Services Board met on the evening of April 16, 2026, to approve consent items, hear public comments, receive updates on department activities, review the city budget process and capital improvement program (CIP), and approve the first quarterly report to council. Key themes included planning for the 2027-2028 budget cycle, progress on major park projects, and community input on park access.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the agenda for the April 16 meeting and the minutes from the March 2026 regular meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alex Zimmerman (virtual speaker) criticized the board's 30-minute speaking limit and the requirement for speakers to show their faces, calling them violations of the First Amendment. He accused the board of operating like "Nazi Gestapo, Mafia" and urged support for Trump and a "New American Revolution." He spoke for the allotted three minutes.
• Pre-registered speaker Anne Clark was not present; no other members of the public spoke.

Director's Report

• Assistant Director Cameron Parker reported that the recruitment for an upcoming vacant board seat (expected in June) closed with 18 applicants. The clerk's office is assembling materials for review with the board's council liaison.
• Upcoming events: Earth Fest at Bellevue Botanical Gardens on Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; sheep shearing event at Kelsey Creek Farm on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., also marking the kickoff for spring in Bellevue.
• Staff milestones recognized: Sharon Franzen (35 years), Michelle Campbell (30 years), and John Soriano (30 years) – a combined nearly 100 years of service.

Board Communication

• Board members shared observations: Eric noted snow and children playing in parks; Paul reported sparse attendance at downtown park due to impending hail; Eileen discussed trail connectivity, biking preparation for a long ride, and positive feedback on the Robinswood Tennis Center renovations; Elizabeth highlighted Google search accessibility for the activity guide, upcoming Keep Bellevue Beautiful cleanups (including Earth Day event at Wilburton Park on April 18 at 9 a.m.), and the Bell-Red interactive map survey; Chair Klemmer raised concerns about homelessness as the city warms up and requested more discussion on the intersection of parks and community services; Steve shared perspectives from park visits in Taipei and the need for adult fitness equipment.

City Budget Process and Park CIP Overview

• Fiscal Manager Jenny Zhang presented the 2027-2028 budget timeline: department proposals due May 1, city manager's preliminary budget in fall, public hearings in September/October, council adoption by late November. The board's role is to advise council on parks capital needs via a letter (drafted in June/July, transmitted in September). No new CIP funding sources are expected; the focus is on status quo.
• Capital Projects Manager Wyatt Thompson provided a detailed overview of the parks CIP, organized into four program areas. Key projects include:
  • Park Development & Expansion: Bell-Red Parks and Streams (master plan kickoff May 7), Ashwood Park (design phase, construction late 2027), Eastgate Neighborhood Park (construction 2027), Off-Leash Areas and Emerging Sports (Robinswood turf field completed, new pop-up temporary locations planned), Factoria Neighborhood Park (actively seeking land), Japanese American Legacy Project (briefing forthcoming), 2nd Street Downtown Park (master planning in coming years), Wilburton Parks and Streams (acquisition and planning), and a new Park Operations Facility (design underway, construction mid-2026).
  • Trails and Natural Systems: 90 miles of trails; active projects include Forest Drive Trailhead (permitting, construction late 2026) and Mercer Slough boardwalks. A trails plan is being developed as part of the open space plan update.
  • Waterfront & Destination Parks: Maidenbauer Bay Park Phase II (pre-design, construction 2029-2030), Lake Sammamish neighborhood park (demolition summer 2026, master planning after acquisition), Park Shoreline Restoration (renaturalization projects), Bellevue Airfield Park (progressive design-build, 8 pickleball courts, trails, splash pad, aquatic center planned; construction 2029), Bellevue Botanical Gardens (wetland sun terrace garden design 2028), Kelsey Creek Farm major renovation (planning begins 2028).
  • Renovation & Renewal: Approximately 60 projects per year; examples include Norwood Village Park playground improvements, Woodridge Park stair construction, Hidden Valley play equipment, tennis center siding and roof. ADA Accessibility Barrier Removal initiative with assessments at several facilities (e.g., Highlands Community Center kitchen, Crossroads pro shop).
• Discussion: Board members asked about acquisition strategies (no eminent domain, reliance on willing sellers), park location criteria (walkability gap analysis, third-mile access goal), and the need for a comprehensive trails plan. Wyatt confirmed that the trails plan will feed into the open space plan update starting later this year.

First Quarter 2026 Report to Council

• Ryan Walker presented the quarterly memo summarizing board activities, including the kickoff of the Bell-Red West Tributary park master plan, an overview of marketing and communications, human services needs updates, and the adoption of the Diversity Advantage Plan (DAP) 2035. The board unanimously approved transmitting the report to council.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda and March 2026 minutes approved unanimously.
• The first quarter 2026 report and communication to council was approved unanimously for transmission.
• No formal votes were taken on the budget or CIP; the board will draft a memo to council on parks capital needs during the June and July meetings.
• The board will hold an off-site meeting (likely in June/July) to synthesize input and prepare the budget memo.