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Board hears plan for levy reporting, project updates on trails, waterfront and courts
Summary
Staff outlined a levy reporting strategy for the voters'approved 2022 parks and open space levy (Proposition 1), explained the levy's 9-year $0.20-per-$1,000 split (15' for acquisition/development; 5' for maintenance), and described an illustrated progress report, an interactive map and social media outreach to make levy investments more visible to residents.
City staff briefed the Parks and Community Services Board on reporting plans for the 2022 Parks and Open Space Levy (Proposition 1) and provided updates on several levy-supported projects.
Senior planner Betsy Anderson summarized the levy structure: Proposition 1, approved by Bellevue voters in November 2022, increased the city's regular levy by $0.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value for nine years. Anderson said 15 cents of that increase is directed to acquisition and development projects and 5 cents is dedicated to maintenance, and staff framed that split as the basis for work across eight focus areas identified in the levy and the park system plan.
Anderson reviewed selected program and project highlights: trail connectivity projects across the city, master planning work for Bellevue Airfield Park (including an aquatic center site in long-range planning), shoreline restoration and removal of failing structures (for example, work noted at Clyde Beach Park and Chisholm Beach Park), upgrades enabling shared use courts for pickleball across the park system, and a synthetic turf replacement at Robinswood Community Park scheduled to allow cricket striping in spring 2026. She also said maintenance investments have allowed staff to restore maintenance levels at 11 parks and keep more restrooms open year-round.
On reporting and outreach, staff showed early concepts for a levy logo and an illustrated progress report intended for the levy web page, proposed biennial print copies, an interactive map to let residents find nearby projects, and use of social media and the CIP project list to call out levy-funded work. Staff also said they plan a short video near the end of the levy term with staff and community interviews.
Board members asked for clearer public explanations of how projects were selected and prioritized, suggested temporary construction signage acknowledging levy funding, and discussed how many pickleball courts are envisioned in concept designs for Bellevue Airfield Park (staff said eight courts are currently in concept with flexibility as design proceeds). Several members emphasized that clear, regular reporting will help accountability and future ballot measures.
Next steps: staff will refine the illustrated report, interactive map and communications plan with board input and roll out materials beginning this winter; no policy action was required at the meeting.
