Bellingham’s 7-acre Maplewood McLeod Park has a new name: Storybrook Park.
The name, approved by Bellingham City Council members during their Monday, Dec. 12 meeting, was one of 35 possible names suggested by the public and residents of the Birchwood neighborhood. The name suggestions were reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board during their Nov. 9 meeting.
More than 260 residents also weighed in on the name, casting votes for their favorite options. “Wood Hood Park” received the highest number of votes, with 47, quickly followed by “Ask the Lummi elders for a name” (34) and “Parky McParkface Park” (20). “Storybrook Park” only received 12 votes.
The official name was approved with overwhelming support, with five council members voting in favor and two council members — Daniel Hammill and Lisa Anderson — absent.
Concurrent with the name discussion, the city Parks and Rec department is finalizing a “master plan” for the park, which will include recreational activities, trails and a playground.
“Some of the elements I really like about this plan is that it uses play structures that offer open-ended play, adaptable to each child in a different age group,” council member Michael Lilliquist said during a public hearing for the plan on Monday. “If you build it and it’s fun, people will play on it. They don’t stop enjoying it.”
The master plan for the park was also approved unanimously, with all five present council members offering support.
“This is quite a development for this part of our city that doesn’t have these kinds of resources available,” council member Skip Williams said.
In addition to new equipment and playgrounds, the park will undergo significant improvements, with updates to existing structures, the restroom, signage and parking.
