Bellevue Parks and Community Services Board Meeting - October 27, 2026

The Bellevue Parks and Community Services Board met on October 27, 2026, with a quorum present. The board unanimously approved the agenda and the September 2026 meeting minutes, heard two public comments, received a director’s report, discussed the joint update of the Parks and Open Space System Plan and Recreation Program Plan, approved its third-quarter 2026 report to city council, and set the next meeting for November 18, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda approved unanimously.
• September 2026 regular meeting minutes approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tony Andrews, an online speaker, described himself as a recent resident of the Verdon town homes near Bell Red and 130th. He expressed strong support for the proposed Bell Red Park and for zoning changes that would bring more residential density, retail, and dining. He opposed the proposal to extend Spring Boulevard through the small park, calling it unnecessary and expensive, and recommended a bike/pedestrian path along that corridor to improve east-west connections.
• Alex Zimmerman (registered on the sign-in sheet as Alex Emmerman), president of Stand Up America, spoke against what he described as a proposed additional $1 billion in city taxes. He claimed Bellevue’s budget is about $1 billion and its GDP exceeds $150 billion, and he said Amazon, Google, and Microsoft control city government. He made derogatory comments about the mayor and city council, and stated that many Chinese and Indian residents in Bellevue are quiet and afraid to speak, referencing recent federal visa rules. He said money affects everyone and urged the board to consider the financial burden on residents.

Director’s Report and Board Communications

• Director Meredith Betty reported on the Capital Improvement Plan progress report and a successful summer ranger program, with additional statistics included in the board packet. She noted that city budget adoption is underway; staff presented the previous evening under two strategic target areas, a public hearing was noted for the 27th, further council conversation is scheduled for November 3, and adoption is targeted for November 17. She also highlighted upcoming events, including Youth Link’s Gumbo Night, Kelsey Creek Farm trick-or-treating, a Dia de los Muertos celebration at Crossroads Community Center, and a new Bellevue Botanical Garden Society executive director, Dave Martine.
• Board members shared updates, including Eileen’s announcement that this was her last meeting because she had accepted a city business transformation position. Several members thanked her for her service. Other updates included the Kelsey Creek Farm Fair, the Arbor Day planting at Lewis Creek Park with approximately 62 volunteers, the Lake Hills boat-themed park renovation, and Bellevue Essentials site visits.

Discussion Items

Long-Range Plan Updates: Parks and Open Space System Plan and Recreation Program Plan

• Senior Park Planners Ryan Walker and Betsy Anderson presented a joint kickoff for updating two plans concurrently. The Parks and Open Space System Plan was last updated in 2022 and is on a six-year cycle; the Recreation Program Plan was last updated in 2023 and is on a three-year cycle. Both are expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The board will provide a recommendation to council for the system plan and an endorsement for the recreation program plan.
• Staff explained that the system plan implements the 2024 Comprehensive Plan and the 2025 Diversity Advantage Plan, communicates the long-term vision, informs the Capital Improvement Program, supports voter-approved levies expiring in 2028 and 2031, is required for state Recreation and Conservation Office grants and CAPRA accreditation, and guides partnerships such as the East Trail with King County.
• The recreation plan defines the city’s role as a recreation provider, focuses on removing barriers to access, and includes four guiding principles and four goals related to access, community needs, community building, and individual health and wellness. It also supports CAPRA accreditation.
• Community engagement will include summer pop-ups already completed, six fall focus groups, random-sample and open surveys, winter community meetings, outreach through community-based organizations, and an interactive online platform. Staff will use GIS and equity analysis, including a level-of-service assessment with walkable access within one-third of a mile, participation data, and satisfaction data.
• The timeline runs from the current define/scoping phase through spring 2027 priority and gap identification, a summer 2027 draft plan, a winter board workshop, and adoption or endorsement at the end of 2027.
• In discussion, board members raised the need for youth engagement, pop-ups at everyday destinations such as grocery stores and libraries, consideration of age distribution and school closures in siting parks, an equity index, park facility gaps, mental health and wellness, outdoor and forest-school-style camps, high demand for affordable recreation programs, senior program continuity, trails and connectivity for underserved areas such as Bell Red and Eastgate, and culturally diverse programming. Staff said they would incorporate the input and welcomed additional emailed suggestions before the next check-in in February 2027.

Third Quarter 2026 Report and Communication to Council

• Cameron presented the draft third-quarter 2026 board report, summarizing board activities from July and September, including the budget review, the Bell Red neighborhood park master planning process, and a presentation on the Bellevue Naturalist/ranger program. The board voted unanimously to transmit the report to city council as presented.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved unanimously.
• September 2026 meeting minutes approved unanimously.
• Third-quarter 2026 report and communication to council approved unanimously for transmittal.
• No formal vote was taken on the long-range plan updates; the board provided feedback and will continue the discussion at a winter workshop, with the next anticipated check-in in February 2027.
• The next regular board meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2026, and will include a presentation from the city’s Office of Housing and homelessness outreach staff.