With Community Input, Design Begins for New Park in BelRed

This article originally appeared in the July edition of the city of Bellevue newsletter It’s Your City.

With input from a community meeting and a survey, Parks & Community Services is starting design for a new neighborhood park in BelRed.

Funded in part by the 2022 Parks and Open Space Levy, the eight-acre park will be at 12525 NE Spring Blvd.

“As BelRed continues to grow, this new park will create a much-needed place for recreation, community connection and access to nature — enhancing quality of life for current and future residents,” said Parks & Community Services Director Meredith Petit.

To ensure the park reflects community needs and priorities, the city launched a public survey this spring that closed in June.

At an in-person community meeting at Highland Community Center in May, participants expressed interest in the enhancement of natural areas, interactive experiences, a destination for community gatherings and a design that integrates well with the growing neighborhood.

In addition to community feedback, the park design is guided by the BelRed neighborhood plan and recommendations from the Parks & Community Service Board and the City Council.

The planning phase is anticipated to take nine months. The BelRed neighborhood plan, updated in 2024, supported the design of a new public park along the west tributary of Kelsey Creek.

The city will continue to provide updates here. Additional community meetings will be later this summer and this fall.

Christina Faine is the city of Bellevue’s Parks & Community Services public information officer.