BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville is proposing to turn Chuckanut Ridge into a new community park.

Mayor Linville wants to rezone 88 acres in the south neighborhood from multi-family residential to public open space.

The proposal would permanently preserve Chuckanut Ridge and create the "Chuckanut community forest."

In a press release, the mayor says she envisions the area as forested public space with trails and other recreation opportunities.

Under the proposal, the remaining 25 acres of city-owned property at Chuckanut ridge would stay zoned residential until options for paying back the loan for the property are fully explored.

The Bellingham Planning and Development Commission will now consider recommending the rezone request to the City Council.