Bloedel Donovan Park Master Plan Amendment Gina Austin, PE City of Bellingham Project Engineer March 29, 2012
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Meeting Purpose • Meeting Purpose: – Present proposed revisions to the Bloedel Donovan Master Plan (city policy PAR 04.00.01) – Explain the process, obtain public input
Generally, a Master Plan serves as: – A general guide for appropriate park uses and their approximate location within a site – An overall development concept – A guide for development 2
Other Important Topics (not typically included in master plans) • Yes, there are other important issues! – – – – – –
Boat Regulations Dog Regulations Watershed Regulations Development & Environmental Permits Operational and Maintenance Activities Other City policies, codes and laws
• Here’s where to send your comments Bellingham Parks and Recreation “Bloedel Donovan Park Comments” 3424 Meridian Street, Bellingham 98225
[email protected] 3
Meeting Agenda • Agenda: – Site overview – Site history – Components of the existing renovation plan – Proposal for amendments to plan – Policy, process, schedule – Open discussion, question and answer period
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Site Overview
Bloedel Donovan Park
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Site Overview - Master Plan Area 28 + acre site
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Site History • Former lumber mill and industrial site Photo Courtesy of Whatcom Museum
Photo by Jack Carver Courtesy of Whatcom Museum
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Site History • Park site donated to the City in 1946 Photo from “A History of Bellingham Parks,” by Aaron Joy
The land…”shall be developed and used solely for Public Park purposes and shall be devoted to no other use in whole or in part.”
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Site History
Photo by Jack Carver Courtesy of Whatcom Museum
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Site History
Photo by Jack Carver Courtesy of Whatcom Museum
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Site History
Photos by Jack Carver Courtesy of Whatcom Museum
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Site History
Photos by Jack Carver Courtesy of Whatcom Museum
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Bloedel Donovan Renovation Plan
West Shore
Photo by Jack Carver Courtesy of Whatcom Museum
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Why Amend the Master Plan • Improve the site with “lake friendly” designs • Repair failing concrete wall, water quality improvement • Reserve areas for stormwater infiltration • Accommodate future recreational use
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Proposed Master Plan Amendment
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Master Plan Amendment - North
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Master Plan Amendment - South
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Master Plan Amendment – Aerial View
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Why Improve the Shoreline & Expand the Planting Area? • Lake Whatcom is a 303(d) listed impaired water body due to low dissolved oxygen levels • Water quality improvements to Lake Whatcom are a high priority to our City Council • Direct ecological benefit to the Lake Whatcom Watershed and priority species • Positive influence on the public, lead by example • Public education component: Promotion of “lake friendly” practices 19
Why Improve the Shoreline & Expand the Planting Area? • Puget Sound Partnership’s Action Agenda: Lake Whatcom Watershed is a priority action area for Whatcom County • Puget Sound Partnership’s Action Agenda: Whatcom County Profile Key Strategies, “restoration of shorelines” • 2011 budget objective to meet the City Council Legacies and Strategic Commitments for “Clean, Safe Drinking Water,” adopted by the City Council in 2009 • SMP for Lake Whatcom, “Re-establish & restore natural shoreline processes”
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What Does the Neighborhood Plan Say? • Silver Beach Neighborhood Plan – “promote alternatives to lawn” – “highlight the stewardship of the watershed” – “encourage lake friendly boating products and practices” – “encourages multiple uses of the parks …that is conducive to responsible watershed management”
“Bloedel Donovan Park should be used as a model to demonstrate ‘Best Practices for Care of the Watershed’.”
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Shoreline Enhancement - Project Details • State Grant Work – Enhance the shoreline by removing the existing concrete bulkhead – Improve water quality by expanding the native planting area – Protect aquatic lands and provide public access by removing a physical barrier and creating a natural beach
East Shore
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Shoreline Enhancement - Project Details • The shoreline will be restored to a natural condition • Results in a sustainable ecological function with little/no maintenance • Shoreline restoration will be immediately self-sustaining
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Shoreline Enhancement - Project Details • Upland planting will reduce lawn & increase onsite infiltration • Upland planting should be selfsustaining within 5 years 24
Shoreline Enhancement - Project Details Legend: Existing Planted Area Expanded Planted Area
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Shoreline Enhancement - Project Details
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Other Work – Pathway, Fence & Signs • Included in the state grant • New pervious pathway will direct the public to one area while protecting the expanded planting area • Temporary fence will be installed to protect the planted area • Two interpretive signs will be installed 27
Other Work - Sand Infiltration Trench • Pending approval of State Capital Budget • Benefits: – Capture and treat stormwater runoff from the grass lawn area – The primary strategy for phosphorus removal is infiltration – Remove and reduce fecal coliform contributions by treating surface flow
Parking Lot Community Bldg. Sand Volley Ball
Beach area
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Other Work - Sand Infiltration Trench • What will it look like? – Little to no change in topography – Walking surface will be sand and gravel
soil
washed sand
beach
lake
washed rock
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Other Work - Boat House • Donation to the City • Promote nonmotorized boating on the lake • Public use, nonprofit organization • Recreation programs for youth and adults
#2
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Other Work - Boat House
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Other Work - Boat House
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Other Work - Boat House
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Other Work - Boat House
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Other Work - Boat House
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Policy, Process and Schedule • Policy & Process: – Master Plans and Amendments are recommended for approval by Park Board, Final Approval by City Council
• Schedule
– Master plan • Park Board Review April or May • City Council Approval April or May
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Boat house pending permits and approval of MP Shoreline improvements pending grant award Infiltration trench pending approval of State budget Other improvements not funded at this time 36
Questions
?
Photo by KATIE GREENE | THE BELLINGHAM HERALD
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