Residents of BelRed, a rapidly densifying neighborhood along the Sound Transit 2 Line corridor, will get something the area has never had: a dedicated neighborhood park.
The City of Bellevue's Parks & Community Services department has been in the design phase since April 24, for an 8-acre park at 12525 NE Spring Blvd., a former industrial site just east of the Spring District.
The project is funded in part by the 2022 voter-approved Parks and Open Space Levy, which generated $85 million for open space investments citywide.
"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," Parks & Community Services Director Meredith Petit said in the city's July 2026 newsletter.
What the city heard
Bellevue formally launched the planning process on Friday, April 24, and gathered public input through a spring survey that closed in June. At an in-person community meeting at Highland Community Center in May, attendees said they wanted enhanced natural areas, interactive experiences, a gathering destination, and a design that fits the growing neighborhood.
The park's location along the west tributary of Kelsey Creek was formalized in the 2024 update to the BelRed neighborhood plan. Design is also guided by recommendations from the Parks & Community Services Board and the Bellevue City Council.
Timeline and next steps
The planning phase is expected to take nine months from the April launch. Additional community meetings are planned for later this summer and fall, though specific dates have not been announced.
The city's official project page is live at BellevueWA.gov/belredpark, where residents can track updates and find details on upcoming input opportunities.
Why it matters
BelRed has seen significant residential development following the 2 Line light rail extension, but the corridor lacked permanent public green space. According to a Puget Sound Business Journal report, the 8-acre site is one of the last raw parcels in BelRed being converted to open space rather than additional development.
The exact dollar amount the levy is directing to this park has not been disclosed. The city has said only that the project is funded "in part" by the 2022 levy.
