The workshop is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at the Bloedel Donovan Park Multi-Purpose Room, 2214 Electric Ave. It is an opportunity to provide input on priorities for parks and recreation in the coming years.

In order to remain eligible for certain state grants, the City must update the PRO Plan every six years. It also becomes part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The last PRO Plan update was completed in 2008. The Parks and Recreation Department is beginning the process now in order to have time for adequate public input, including review and public hearings by the Planning Commission and City Council in time for completion in 2014.

The workshop is the first of several opportunities for public input on the plan. In addition, there will be public opinion surveys and public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. The process is being overseen with input from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

For more information on this project or other park projects, please visit the PRO Plan section of the City’s website.

For more information, please contact:
Leslie Bryson, Design and Development Manager
Parks and Recreation Department, 360-778-7000 or lbryson@cob.org

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Now kids can be part of the Northwest Traverse Multi-Sport Series

BELLINGHAM, Wash., May 3, 2013 – Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit health and wellness event organization in Bellingham, Washington, is expanding its multi-sport race portfolio with an event geared toward 6-to-14 year-olds: the Bellingham Kids Traverse at Civic Stadum on June 29, 2013.

Now children can share in the Bellingham Traverse fun as well. The Bellingham Traverse, a multi-sport race celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon that includes running, biking and kayaking, will take place on September 21, 2013.  Children are invited to participate in the Bellingham Kids Traverse, a pint-sized but appropriately challenging version of the Bellingham Traverse.

The Bellingham Kids Traverse will mimic the Bellingham Traverse in its course set up. Participants can complete the course as a Chinook (soloist), Coho (tandem team), or Chum (relay team). The Kids Traverse will start at Civic Field with a 1 mi. run through Salmon Woods, then a 1.5 mi. mountain bike around Civic and Geri Fields, next a .5 mi. obstacle course inside Civic Stadium and finish with a .25 mi team TREK to the Mallard Ice Cream Finish Line. The top three finishers in each age group get awards, and all finishers get a Kids Traverse ribbon and ice cream.

Recreation Northwest Executive Director Todd Elsworth looks forward to the launch.

“Adults have had so much fun doing the Bellinghm Traverse for the past twelve years, and we want to give kids the same opportunity with the Bellingham Kids Traverse,” Elsworth says. “Recreation Northwest is always looking to get the entire family outdoors.”

A portion of the 2013 Bellingham Kids Traverse proceeds will to the Whatcom Family YMCA. Register online at: BellinghamKidsTraverse.com  

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A partnership with Friends of Capitol Forest   

BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 29, 2013 – Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit health and wellness event organization in Bellingham, Washington, feels a thriving business sector is crucial to the overall health of the community. Recreation Northwest announces the recipient of The One 2013 Olympia Traverse partnership: Friends of Capitol Forest.    

Each year, Recreation Northwest chooses a local non-profit to be beneficiary of the multi-sport Olympia Traverse. This recipient, known as The One, is chosen based on commitment to the community through their work and the programs they offer. Recreation Northwest also considers organizations who have been directly involved with the race and who will continue to use this as an awareness and fundraising opportunity for themselves. 

As The One beneficiary for 2013, Friends of Capitol Forest will receive a portion of the 2013 Olympia Traverse proceeds.  Recreation Northwest will also be donating to the organization’s cause, and offering Friends of Capitol Forest two company team slots so they can compete alongside the community in the Olympia Traverse.

The Olympia Traverse is a multi-sport adventure relay race for solo, tandem, relay and Company Teams celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon. The course includes mountain biking (7.4 mi.) in the Capitol Forest; road biking (22 mi.) through Thurston County; paddling from West Bay to Swantown (3.5 mi.); running (4.5 mi.) to Priest Point Park and then back to the Hands On Children’s Museum for the 1/2 mile “Team Trek” to the Fish Tale Ale Finish Line at Port Plaza.

Early bird registration rates for the Olympia Traverse end April 30, 2013. To learn more about Recreation Northwest and the upcoming Olympia Traverse, Bellingham Traverse, Padden Mountain Pedal and Bellingham Kids Traverse, visit http://www.recreationnorthwest.org or call 360-739-8458.

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BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 29, 2013 – Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit health and wellness event organization in Bellingham, Washington, expands its race portfolio to include the Padden Mountain Pedal. Recreation Northwest produces sustainable events that promote public health and wellness, showcase the region’s recreational amenities and connect businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. Executive Director Todd Elsworth is confident that hosting the July 14, 2013 Padden Mountain Pedal at Lake Padden will engage the active Bellingham and regional cycling communities.

This race, which began in 1993, presents a wonderful challenge for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities. Mark Peterson has been Race Director for the Padden Mountain Pedal for the past 20 years, and will remain on as Race Director in partnership with Recreation Northwest.

“I am proud to be partnering with Recreation Northwest so the Padden Mountain Pedal will continue on as the cornerstone of cross country mountain bike racing in the Pacific Northwest for many years to come,” Peterson said. “I’m ecstatic to continue on as Race Director while Recreation Northwest handles all the other details that make for a successful event. Recreation Northwest has the experience, logistical support and resources that were paramount qualifications in my search for a great partner. There is no doubt in my mind that this partnership will keep the longest standing mountain bike race in the Pacific Northwest relevant and vibrant well into the future.”

Elsworth expects the 2013 Padden Mountain Pedal to draw 250 riders. Lake Padden boasts a scenic course, and various age and ability brackets make this race accessible to the entire community. Youth cyclists are invited to hop in the saddle as well, and there will be a free kids race at the event for children 10 and under.    

Elsworth said under the board’s leadership, and with the efforts of dedicated volunteers, the new organization is well equipped to host the Padden Mountain Pedal and to pursue its goals of encouraging public health and the stewardship of open spaces through community recreation events.

Recreation Northwest produces three multi-sport adventure relay races: the Bellingham Traverse, Olympia Traverse and the new Bellingham KIDS Traverse.

For more information about the 2013 Padden Mountain Pedal, visit http://www.paddenmtnpedal.com.

To learn more about Recreation Northwest and the upcoming Bellingham Traverse, Olympia Traverse and Bellingham KIDS Traverse, visit http://www.recreationnorthwest.org or call 360-739-8458.

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PeaceHealth partners with Bellingham Traverse to promote community health and wellness

BELLINGHAM, Wash., April 29, 2013 – Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit health and wellness event organization recently launched in Bellingham, Washington, is excited to announce a partnership with PeaceHealth. Together, Recreation Northwest and PeaceHealth encourage local businesses to facilitate relationships with community members and promote active lifestyles by participating in the 2013 Bellingham Traverse.

Recreation Northwest hosts a number of multi-sport events, including the Bellingham Traverse, which celebrates the life cycle of wild salmon, and the natural and urban challenges of their journey. On September 21, 2013 solo, tandem and relay teams will compete in running, mountain biking, road biking and paddling legs of the Bellingham Traverse, ending with a Team TREK to the finish line at Boundary Bay Brewery.

Recreation Northwest and PeaceHealth urge local companies to form teams and train throughout the year for this Northwest Rite of Passage. 

“PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center is pleased to sponsor this local community wellness event. In keeping with our mission of promoting personal and community health, we are excited to be a part of the Traverse this year,” said Rhonda Curry, Director of Marketing and Communications at PeaceHealth.

PeaceHealth will be encouraging its own employees to get on board. 

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, which includes a not-for-profit full-service hospital founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, is part of the Northwest Network of Care within the PeaceHealth system with medical centers in Alaska, Washington and Oregon. In addition to the hospital and PeaceHealth Medical Group, PeaceHealth’s local services include several Centers of Excellence, North Cascade Cardiology, a diagnostic laboratory, a joint venture outpatient imaging service, a specialty clinic in Sedro-Woolley and a critical access hospital on San Juan Island.  

To learn more about the 2013 PeaceHealth Bellingham Traverse, visit: http://www.BellinghamTraverse.com or call 360-739-8458.

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I hope you can join us sometime over the next two weekends (April 27-28 and May 4-5)  as we finish up the last couple sections of the coolest new trail in the Chuckanuts, the Rock Trail (A.K.A. Lost Antler Trail).  Whether you’ve already helped and been snared by the beauty of the place, or totally missed out on previous occasions, come on out and be part of the story.

Tools, gloves, hardhats and cookies provided.  As always, dress for the weather and bring lunch.  Hiking or work boots recommended. Plan on descending and re-climbing about 100 fabulous new timber and gravel stairs.  There’s an overhanging cliff available in case we need to duck out of the rain for lunch.

We’ll be up there this Saturday and Sunday and the following weekend as well (REI volunteers will also be joining us on May 4).  Meet at 9:00 am sharp at the Gates Overlook at the end of the Cleator Road.

Directions: Head 4 miles south of Fairhaven, turn left on Hiline Road (before the fire station), which becomes Cleator Road; follow the bumpy road to its end near the top of the ridge.  To carpool, meet in Fairhaven at 11th and McKenzie by 8:30 am.  Volunteers do not need a parking pass.  We’ll wrap up and be back to the cars by 2:00 pm.

A handful of us will also be working on the trail several days next week, so drop me a line if you want to join us then and we’ll coordinate schedules.

Feel free to invite others.  No experience necessary!  
An RSVP is helpful, but not required (email, phone or text, 202-758-8802).

May the tread be with you!

Ken Wilcox

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2600 Harbor Loop Drive, Bellingham, WA 98225  (map)

Join the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation to learn about their research and visioning on a project that aims to establish 45 miles of multi-modal trails throughout the heart of Whatcom County.  This is your chance to GET INVOLVED!

The Nooksack Loop Trail concept is comprised of four trail segments that have been on Whatcom County’s park plans since the 1970s.  The public may be familiar with past attempts at establishing such trails as the Bay to Baker Trail, the Coast Millennium Trail, and the Nooksack River Trail.  The Foundation’s Nooksack Loop Trail sub-committee believes the strength in the current endeavor lies in its connectivity.  The proposed trail route intends to connect the cities of Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden and Everson, as well as various parks throughout the county.

Topics will include: Routing Discussion, Near future opportunities, Long-range action plan and How you can help!

Join the Nooksack Loop Trail Facebook Event page.

Learn more about the Nooksack Loop Trail.

Learn more about the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Recreation Northwest Launches Nonprofit to Promote Health and Wellness

Bellingham, WA based group produces Bellingham Traverse, Olympia Traverse, and Bellingham Kids Traverse Events

BELLINGHAM, Wash., February 28, 2013 – Recreation Northwest, a nonprofit health and wellness event organization, has launched in Bellingham, Washington, under the leadership of Todd Elsworth, who will serve as Executive Director, and April Claxton, who will serve as Executive Manager.

Recreation Northwest produces sustainable events that promote public health and wellness, showcase the region’s recreational amenities and connect businesses and nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest.

“In forming Recreation Northwest, we’ve achieved a big goal,” said Elsworth. “Since I founded Bellingham Traverse in 2001, it has grown and evolved. Now it will benefit from the expertise of a diverse and talented board of directors, leading the organization to the next level.”

Recreation Northwest’s board of directors includes Adam Lent, President; Kurt Baumgarten, Vice President; Al Ragan, Treasurer; David Laws, Secretary; Mike McAuley and Dean Fearing.

Elsworth said under the board’s leadership, and with the efforts of dedicated volunteers, the new organization is well equipped to pursue its goals of encouraging public health and the stewardship of open spaces through community recreation events. Recreation Northwest produces three multi-sport adventure relay races: Bellingham Traverse, Olympia Traverse and the new Bellingham Kids Traverse. The races take place on the streets and in the natural surroundings of each host city, and will attract up to 750 people.

To learn more about Recreation Northwest and the upcoming Bellingham Traverse, Olympia Traverse and Bellingham Kids Traverse, visit http://www.RecreationNorthwest.org or call 360-739-8458.

About Recreation Northwest
Recreation Northwest is a Bellingham, WA–based nonprofit organization dedicated to producing sustainable events promoting public health and wellness, showcasing the recreational amenities, and connecting the business and nonprofit communities of the Pacific Northwest. Recreation Northwest produces multi-sport races for solo, tandem and relay teams, including the Bellingham Traverse, the Olympia Traverse and the Bellingham Kids Traverse, celebrating the life cycle of salmon, a staple and symbol of the Pacific Northwest. For more information, to become a sponsor (Spawnsor) or to volunteer, visit http://www.RecreationNorthwest.org/.

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This year, we are proud to be hosting the 12^th Annual Bellingham Traverse- and we thank you for your support over the years. What an amazing experience it has been for me over that span of time. We have expanded our operations into Olympia and will be adding another event to our portfolio this year for kids! Thank you for all your support.

Over the years, I have relied on a strong core of people as my advisors and support to make it all happen. We are proud to finally be formalizing these relationships by creating a new non-profit  . Here’s the BIG News:

Our new organization will be Recreation Northwest and I will be the Executive Director with a solid board to support us. I am proud to announce the founding Board of Directors for Recreation Northwest as follows:

Adam Lent, President
Kurt Baumgarten, Vice President
Al Ragan, Treasurer
David Laws, Secretary
Mike McAuley
Dean Fearing

Recreation Northwest’s purpose is to host recreational events in the Northwest. Our portfolio of events includes Bellingham Kids Traverse, Olympia Traverse, and Bellingham Traverse.

With a select group of people, we will be exploring the opportunities to encourage public health; open space stewardship: and/or other avenues through complementary programmatic work. We are fortunate to live in a region with many caring organizations, we feel we have the opportunity to position ourselves strongly as representatives for recreation and related endeavors.

I would especially like to thank April Claxton who has volunteered her time to help me get all of the ducks in a row to launch our new organization and be prepared to host 3 great events in the year to come. Working with her has been a delight. I am lucky to have her at the table and we are lucky to have her in our community. Give her a big hug the next time you see and thank her for all she does.

Yours truly,

Todd

……………………………………………………..

Todd Elsworth, Executive Director

Recreation Northwest

Todd@RecreationNorthwest.org

360-739-8458

2013 Recreation Northwest Calendar

June 29th, 2013- Bellingham Kids Traverse
July 27th, 2013 - Olympia Traverse 
September 21st, 2013 - Bellingham Traverse 

Bellingham Kids Traverse – June 29th, 2013
The first annual Bellingham Kids Traverse will be held at Civic Field. Relay teams for 6-14 yr/old and solo divisions for 11-14 yr/old. 1 mi. Run, 1.5 mi. Mountain Bike, .5 mi. Obstacle Course, .25 mi Team TREK to finish. To Benefit: YMCA.

Bellingham Kids Traverse Course Description
1 mi. Run
The Run Course starts in the stadium at Civic Field and run down the hill past Geri Fields along Puget Street down to Fraser Street. Course crosses over and winds through Salmon Woods trails below the Dirt Jump Park and Gladstone Street. Trail climbs up through the woods on a steady path to cross over and re-enter the grassy area behind the stadium for the transition.

1.5 mi. Mountain Bike
The Mountain Bike Course will be a variation of the Thriller Cross (see: cyclocross) course a mix of thick grass, asphalt paths, compact gravel, sandy dirt, concrete, and potentially snow! Actually, it’s zamboni ice shavings, but you can’t tell the difference. The course is about 1.5 mi with about 80? elevation gain. It will offer a great challenge for the kids. The transition will be on the grassy area behind the stadium.

.5 mi. Obstacle Course
The Obstacle Course will be set up on the main field and offer a combination of challenges that will cause the kids to go up, over, around and through. You will be able to watch your kids from the sidelines or in the stands. If you’d like a closer view, please volunteer.

.25 mi TREK to finish
The teams of kids all get together for the Team TREK in the transition area in the stadium and run onto the track and around one lap to finish in front of the main stadium bleachers as a group (or solo for the tough kids).

Olympia Traverse – July 27th, 2013
Olympia Traverse - A multi-sport adventure relay race for solo, tandem, relay, and Company Teams celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon. The course starts out mountain biking (7.4 mi) in the Capitol Forest; winds its way road biking (22 mi) through Thurston County; paddling in Budd Inlet from West Bay to Swantown Boatworks (3.5 mi); running (4.5 mi) out to Priest Point Park and back to the Hands On Children’s Museum. Teams meet at HOCM to begin their final 1/2 mile “Team Trek” to the finish line at Port Plaza.

Bellingham Traverse – September 21st, 2013
Bellingham Traverse -A multi-sport event celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon and the natural and urban challenges of their journey. Solo, tandem and relay teams challenge themselves and one another on a rugged course that highlights the City of Bellingham’s Parks, Greenways System, bike-friendly roads, and open water opportunities for recreation. The course includes a Greenways Run (5.5 mi); Mountain Bike (6.0 mi); Road Bike (18 mi.); Trail Run (3.4 mi) ; Paddle (3.6 mi.); Team TREK (0.65 mi.)

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Bellingham, WA - This Saturday, 20 Company Teams will be going head to head against each other and other “Spawners” competing in the Bellingham Traverse. This program gets employees, friends and family together to put together a team for the multi-sport event that celebrates the lifecycle of salmon demonstrating the natural and urban challenges they face in their journey. Teams will be out showing off their company colors and true team spirit.

This year the teams include: Wilson Engineering LLC, VSH, US Bank, Community Food Coop, Vid-Smith, Favinger Plumbing, Sustainable Connections, Kulshan Community Land Trust, Seattle Weekly, Saturna Capital, Vital Choice Wild Seafood & Organics, REI, Kulshan Cycles, Red Boots Design, McNett, Premier Graphics, Whidbey Island Bank, Kulshan Brewery, and Excel Pacific.

This year the Traverse is a fundraiser for local non-profit Kulshan Community Land Trust. Come on down to the finish line and enjoy Traverse Ale in the beer garden on Railroad in between Boundary Bay Brewery and the Bellingham Farmers Market and proceeds will go to charity.

Bellingham Traverse is a multi-sport event celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon and the natural and urban challenges of their journey. Solo, tandem and relay teams challenge themselves and one another on a rugged course that highlights the City of Bellingham’s Parks, Greenways System, bike-friendly roads, and open water opportunities for recreation.

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