It has been 90 days because the Seattle Parks and Recreation Division met with Mount Baker neighborhood residents over their issues over noise and gunfire at Stan Sayres Memorial Park.
Issues have modified for the higher on the park, often known as The Pits due to its function in hydroplane racing, and the Atlantic Metropolis Boat Ramp, the place shootings and amplified sounds have been the mainstays. Extra police periodically patrol the areas, shortened hours are quickly established and enforced. Residents close to The Pits credit score the town with eradicating trash from the park and imposing its new closing time of 5 p.m. 10 p.m.
That is the way it ought to occur: Residents cite issues which can be high quality of life and issues of safety, the town investigates, and enhancements are made.
Nevertheless, there are nonetheless points to be resolved at these two areas and at Golden Gardens and Alki Seaside.
Most of the metropolis’s boat launches and parks have had issues, Deputy Park Superintendent Andy Sheffer informed the editors. In response, the Atlantic Metropolis boat ramp lowered its hours in July resulting from shootings and late-night noise. The Parks Division additionally shortened hours at Golden Gardens in Ballard and Alki Seaside in West Seattle this summer season resulting from a spate of prison exercise. However these two parks shut once more at 11:30 p.m. throughout the fall, winter and spring of 2024. The Parks Board ought to vote to return to closing Golden Gardens and Alki Seaside earlier to stop a repeat of final spring’s exercise.
The momentary hours of operation from 6am to 10pm on the Atlantic Metropolis boat ramp have been prolonged, making a constructive distinction on the web site.
But residents close to Stan Sayres proceed to undergo with loud, offensive music blasting into the evening air, fires set and left unattended close to the rowing facility and garbage left strewn about. Along with shortening the hours, the town ought to set up gates at Stan Sayres and the Atlantic Metropolis boat launch, just like the one at Lake Sammamish State Park, that closes at nightfall. And because the Seattle Police Division is understaffed, the newly employed park rangers must be allowed to patrol exterior downtown and on the 4 parks and boat ramps the place neighbors have requested for assist.
There may be usually a rise in violence within the hotter months, though a mass taking pictures in Golden Gardens Park in October proved deadly for one individual. With the info collected by SPD and Parks, knowledgeable choices are anticipated that concentrate on neighborhood security and how you can create a pleasing recreation expertise for all.