Chelan council approves park policy code modifications and ordinances

CHELAN – The city council approved three code modifications and added two new ordinances related to city parks at its regular bi-monthly meeting on Feb. 11.

The city has been working with Friends of Lakeside (FOL) since the advocacy group addressed the council last fall about the need to resolve the crowding and overuse of the 10-acre passive park. The parks department responded with added enforcement and infrastructure changes to be in place by Memorial Day,

“The Parks Department is taking a six-pronged approach…to have all policies implemented, enforcement mechanisms in place, and infrastructure such as new signage installed,” a parks overview report said.

A review of existing city ordinances found most sufficient to reflect community values. 

“However, there were three park policies which…warranted slight modification and two new ordinances added to address new community concerns,” the overview said.

Assistant Director Audrey Cooper reported that a highly collaborative effort involving park staff, FOL, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the city council produced three proposed code modifications and two new ordinances to the existing code. 

Cooper said the changes “address the issues that have been brought to our attention at Lakeside to improve our parks and keep them family-friendly.”

The modifications address dogs, glass containers, and fires. The ordinances prohibit tents and smoking.

Code modifications

• Dogs or other animals in city parks must be on a leash no longer than eight feet at all times,
• Glass containers are prohibited in or on the beach areas and children's play areas of the parks. 
• Fires are prohibited except in permanent park facilities provided for that purpose. That includes a barbecue, hibachi, or other freestanding apparatus commonly used for outdoor food preparation purposes. 

Ordinances

• Tents are prohibited except within the boundaries of the designated campsites in Lakeshore RV Park. Shade canopies are also regulated.
• Smoking is prohibited, including electronic smoking devices, e-cigarettes, or vaping.

FOL members Barry and Jacque DePaoli addressed the council regarding the progress made at Lakeside. 

“We are very encouraged about the proposed updates to the park rules, which have been specifically designed to disincentivize day camping in Lakeside Park,” said Jacque DePaoli. “That said, we are not without concern about the execution phase of the project…the enforcement of this plan is what everything hinges on.”

Barry DePaoli referred to the Feb. 4 workshop where FOL provided a graphic illustrating the four pillars of success necessary for an effective Lakeside policy:

1. Rules
2. Enforcement
3. Infrastructure
4. Communication

DePaoli had some specific suggestions for enforcement and communications:

• Add fencing and fence gates to decrease the number of park entry points.
• Add a vehicular gate or barriers on Johnson on weekends or holidays only.
• Install a main park entrance with park rules and a park enforcement officer.
• Advance communication to locals and visitors to avoid the hundreds of day campers arriving at Lakeside Park with all their day camping components.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media