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Council Urged Action on Cove Park Boat-Launch Parking; City Plans Striping, Signs and Additional Park Enforcement
Summary
Council members raised complaints about cars occupying trailer-designated stalls at Cove Park; staff said the city will restripe lots, add signage, use new hourly parking fees, and rely on a second community-service officer (CSO)/park ranger position to enforce rules.
Council members raised concerns that vehicles — not trailers — are occupying trailer-designated spaces at Cove Park’s boat launch on sunny days, leaving trailer users without access and creating spillover parking onto nearby streets.
Council Member Jurcak (first reference as Council Member Jurcak) described observing as much as 30% of trailer stalls occupied by cars and said the problem worsens during farmers markets and busy weekends. "Trailer parking was taken up by cars," Jurcak said. He requested information from the police department and parks staff about enforcement options and timing for restriping and signage.
Parks staff said they plan to piggyback on the public-works overlay and striping contract and that striping and new signs for North Cove and Davies beach lots are planned for June or July pending bid timing. Staff said the city will add painted stall markings such as "Trailer parking only" and consider a small number of seasonally convertible stalls that can switch between two car spaces and one pull-through trailer stall.
Chief Pazizzo of the Lake Stevens Police Department said the council had already approved an ordinance in the consent agenda clarifying enforcement authority: it is now unlawful to park in designated areas without paying posted parking fees or displaying a valid city-approved parking pass. The police chief said the department is actively recruiting a second community-service officer (CSO) to perform park-ranger duties and enforce parking rules; recruitment reopened after initial interviews produced no hires.
Staff also noted the city added hourly parking as a fee option at North Cove and that some seasonal enforcement will begin once striping and signage are in place. "We are in recruitment right now to hire that second CSO to allow them to take on the park ranger duties," Chief Pazizzo said.
Parks staff said they will provide a follow-up with exact stall counts and a timeline for restriping and sign installation. The council did not take additional formal action at the meeting beyond directing staff to proceed with the planned striping bid and enforcement recruitment.
