BONNEY LAKE, Wash. — Parking enforcement is set to be stricter at one of Bonney Lake's popular parks.
The Bonney Lake City Council unanimously voted on May 23 to update its city code to prohibit and restrict parking at specific spots at Allan Yorke Park on Lake Tapps. The council raised the fine for breaking any of the parking rules from $25 to $250 and banned vehicles from parking in spaces reserved for boat trailers. The newest ordinance will establish several restricted and prohibited parking zones within a quarter mile of Allan Yorke Park.
According to the ordinance, residents living on streets identified as restricted will be able to get a free permit from the city to park on the street. Vehicles parked on the street without a permit will be subject to fines.
City officials said they have heard the current fine of $25 was not enough to discourage people from parking in these areas.
Cassidy Gee spent the day at the park with her family and said she's unhappy about the change.
"I think it's ridiculous," Gee said. "I think we should be able to go to these parks free of charge, we pay enough in taxes already and now they want to fine us for coming here and parking?"
Here will be the new prohibited parking zones at Allan Yorke Park:
- Both sides of 194th Avenue East, south of Bonney Lake Boulevard East and north of 76th Street East
- Both sides of 193rd Avenue East, south of Bonney Lake Boulevard East to terminus
- Both sides of 193rd Avenue East, north of Bonney Lake Boulevard East to 68th St. E.
- Both sides of Church Lake Drive East from West Tapps Highway East to 72nd St. E.
- Both sides of 76th Street East east and west of 194th Avenue East and terminus
- Both sides on 202nd Avenue East from 76th Street Court East to 78th Street Court East
- Both sides of 75th Street East from 194th Avenue East to 193rd Avenue East
- Both sides of 77th Street Court East from 202nd Avenue East to 204th Avenue East
Council members said they unanimously supported the ordinance because it addresses overcrowding, security issues and insufficient spaces at the popular park.
Gee said she's not the only one who's upset about the new fees.
"I just heard multiple people talking about it and being upset about it around here and I still come and enjoy the park, but a lot of people aren't going out here, they're going to different lakes."