Daniell Farm Recreation Area Discussed in New Bellevue Parks Master Plan

In the works for years, Bellevue’s new Parks Master Plan could eventually lead to the development of a new Regional-destination park concept named Daniell’s Farm Recreation Area. The proposed recreation area would improve access to water and larger natural areas in western Bellevue.

During community engagement sessions over the past few years, an area northwest of 36th and Capehart Road was identified as a prime location for this new park experience.

Conceptual designs show a massive area complete with recreational trails, open areas, a dog park, event space, tennis and pickleball, multi-use sports fields, play equipment, fishing, and no-wake water sports opportunities like kayaking and paddle boarding.

The approximate cost of the park would be between $5-$8 million, depending on how many of the listed amenities are developed and overall construction costs.

“The Daniell Farm area would be turned into a regional park, which has been the goal of the city since it was purchased.  The plan lays out the area with a lake and trail system,” said City of Bellevue Planning Director Tammi Palm. “The City Council will have to vote to approve the funding of the project as part of its annual Capital Improvement Program budget.  I can see this area developing in phases, and also in a possible partnership with the Papio-Missouri River NRD.  Actual costs and funding will dictate how long it will take to implement the plan for this area.“

The Bellevue Parks Master Plan has been in development since October 2021. A draft of the plan was given to both the Bellevue Planning Commission and City Council members in April.  The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the plan on May 25.  City Council will hold its public hearing on the plan on June 20 and the council will be asked to adopt the plan that evening.

If adopted by the council it will not be a mandate, but more of a guide for all of the city park projects moving forward, as well as other new developments like the often-discussed regional water park. Palm said the plan is a living document, “It could be amended or changed as time progresses and as the City Council sees fit to do so.”

Three proposed funding scenarios are discussed in the plan, not just for Daniell Farm, but for the entire Bellevue parks system: Trend, Moderate, and Adventurous. According to Palm, the Trend Scenario shows what would be possible if we continued with the funding structure we currently have – no changes, investing in parks the way we have been in the past.

“As the plan shows, continuing at this funding level puts us well below the lowest quartile for per capita spending of other cities our size and makes it difficult to achieve the goals in the plan. Additionally, as our city grows and tax revenues grow with it, this static level of funding would put us at a disadvantage to meet increased needs,” said Palm. “The Moderate Scenario shows a marginal increase in both CIP and outside funding that would allow us to go after some of these larger improvements without creating a huge funding hurdle. It’s more sustainable and attainable and allows us to begin to make progress and implement projects from the plan more quickly. The Adventurous Scenario shows how a significant increase in funding would affect our parks system – it’s more of a visionary level of funding that shows us what’s possible.”

While the Adventurous Scenario would be ideal, the Moderate Scenario is a more realistic first step to get the city on track to funding the parks system closer to levels spent by other cities our size.

Palm added, “I like that the plan focuses in part on accessibility and connectivity.  These were recurring themes we heard during our public input sessions.  I’m particularly excited about the regional park plan for the Daniell Farm property.  I like the plan for the property and see it as a great opportunity for our community as a whole.”

A digital copy of the 183-page Bellevue Parks Master Plan can be viewed and downloaded here.