Fife staff recommend clarifying park noise rules at Dhaka Park after resident complaints

City staff told the Fife City Council they will clarify posted park rules at Dhaka Park after two neighboring homeowners filed noise complaints, and they recommended updating signage and rental procedures rather than amending the municipal code.

Assistant City Manager Megan Gendrick and Parks Assistant Director Marta Galusha presented an overview of how the city currently handles noise complaints at parks and the limits of enforcement.

Why it matters: Dhaka Park hosts frequent baseball practices, games and tournaments. Recent complaints centered on amplified walk-up or walkout music, persistent loud audio and short-notice users showing up with speakers. Neighbors said loud music could be audible within their homes.

What staff said: Gendrick reviewed the posted park rule that audio equipment "must be operated at a volume that cannot be heard more than 50 feet away," and noted that the municipal code exempts "authorized community events at parks, schools, or other public property such as parades, sporting events, or concerts" from the public-disturbance noise standard. She said that at Dhaka Park the property line and the 50-foot audible threshold mean that nearby houses are within the audible zone for on-field amplified sound.

Staff recommendation and steps taken: Gendrick recommended keeping the municipal code exemption for sporting events but clarifying city park signage and rules for Dhaka Park so field renters understand expectations. She also described operational steps taken: the parks department relocated porta-potties closer to both sides of the fields to reduce biosecurity issues and staff confirmed that park information officers and rental agreements are used to manage planned amplified sound. "When we know in advance that there's a music request, we evaluate the request," Gendrick said, adding staff can require reduced volumes or turn off equipment if complaints persist.

Council discussion: Councilmembers debated whether to amend the municipal code, require deposits tied to noise violations, or add clearer permit language. Residents and several councilmembers urged stronger enforcement and clearer messaging to tournament organizers, while tournament organizers and parks staff noted enforcement is operationally challenging when many out-of-area teams participate.

Ending: City staff will revise Dhaka Park signage, communicate rules to permitted tournament organizers and return to council with proposed language and any resource implications. The parks department also completed a short-term operational fix by adding porta-potties nearer to both field clusters.