Small and Simple Project Funds available

DATE: January 22, 2007 15:38:11 PST

City of Bellingham News Release

The City of Bellingham is now accepting applications for its Small and Simple Projects fund. This program funds up to $2,500 for projects that provide a city-wide benefit. Deadline to apply is March 15, 2007.

Neighborhood associations, community organizations, schools, and similar groups and agencies are eligible for these funds. Projects may include park improvements, tree planting, neighborhood signs, community events, music performances, production of promotional materials, community support programs, and similar activities that can demonstrate a city-wide benefit. Applicant organizations must have a valid Federal Tax ID Number. Individuals are not eligible for funding.

For additional information and application materials, see the Small and Simple Projects link from the City's website. The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2007.

For More information contact Travis Cary, City of Bellingham Planning & Community Development Department, (360) 676-6880, tcary@cob.org.

Petition drive begins for Chuckanut Mountains Park District

The Chuckanut Mountains Park District (CMPD) Advisory Board announces its 2007 petition drive kickoff with a drop-in, volunteer information session 6-9 p.m. Friday, February 2, at the Whatcom Educational Credit Union public meeting space, 510 E. Holly St., Bellingham.

Supportive citizens are encouraged to stop by and sign up to assist with the petition circulation and signature-gathering needed in specific Whatcom and Skagit County precincts in order to place the question of establishing this metropolitan park district, as authorized by Washington state statute, before voters on the November 2007 general election ballot. Maps of the proposed park district, official petitions, and additional information packets for petition circulators will be available to those who volunteer to help circulate the petition to voters registered within the district boundaries in Whatcom and Skagit counties.

Specific information about the proposed park district, which emphasizes conservation in this unique region where the Cascades meet the sea, is available on the CMPD website, www.chuckanutmpd.org. More information about the petition drive is available from Joanne Peterson, 676-7573.

Public Meeting on the New Greenways III Levy Implementation

In case you cannot attend the rescheduled Greenways public input meeting Wednesday, January 31, when you can provide your input in person; here's the official e-mail address for submitting your Greenways priority project requests through the proper channels: Greenways@cob.org. You may aso print the pdf form, fill it out and send it to Parks & Recreation, 3424 Meridian Bellingham, WA 98225.

City of Bellingham
Press Release: January 12, 2007

Public Outreach Meeting on Greenways III Levy Implementation Rescheduled to January 31
Media Contact: Leslie Bryson, Design/Development Manager
Department: Parks & Recreation
Address: 3424 Meridian Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone: (360) 676-6985 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri
Email: lbryson@cob.org

The public outreach meeting on Greenways Levy III implementation that was originally scheduled for November 28 and then rescheduled to January 10 due to inclement weather, has once again been rescheduled to January 31, 2007 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse in Zuanich Point Park. All Bellingham citizens are invited to learn about the acquisition process for greenways, parks and trails and to provide input on where they would like to see new parks, trails and open space in Bellingham.

Where would you like to see new parks, trails, and open space in Bellingham? To express your views on the future of our parks and to hear what others have to say, come to a CITY-WIDE PUBLIC MEETING on the new Greenways III Levy implementation. The meeting is scheduled for WEDNSDAY, JANUARY 31, 2007 from 7 to 9 p.m., Squalicum Boathouse, Zuanich Point Park.

Sponsored by the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department and the Greenways Advisory Committee, the meeting will present information about the acquisition process for greenways, parks and trails, and solicit input from citizens on neighborhood priorities and opportunities for greenways.

This is the first of several city-wide outreach meetings to familiarize the public with the process for land acquisition using Greenway Levy funds (as well as money from park impact fees and other sources) and the roles of the key Levy partners: Parks and Recreation Department, Greenway Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, City Council, and the public.

Participants will have the opportunity to share their opinions about what projects are most needed in their neighborhoods and city-wide, what land might be available and appropriate for such projects, and what other ideas and suggestions they have for maximizing the value of new Greenway Levy funds.

All Bellingham citizens are welcome. The Squalicum Boathouse is ADA accessible. Assistive hearing devices and sign interpretation are available upon request by contacting Leslie Bryson at (360) 676-6985 at least three working days in advance of the meeting.