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Everett council approves Seattle Outboard Association regatta at Silver Lake after questions on parking and access
Summary
On April 30, 2025, the Everett City Council approved an application from the Seattle Outboard Association to hold a multi-day boating regatta on Silver Lake. Council members pressed parks staff on parking, shoreline access and public notice; staff said off‑site parking could be opened and additional signage will be posted.
On April 30, 2025, the Everett City Council voted to approve the Seattle Outboard Association’s application to hold a boating regatta on Silver Lake, after council members raised questions about parking, shoreline access and public notice.
Council Vice President Zarlingo said the event displaces much of the lake surface and shoreline and that the change from a single-day to a two-day regional event in recent years increases trade-offs for regular park users. “The outboard association’s regatta takes over the vast majority of the lake surface itself and the vast majority of the beach,” Zarlingo said, adding concern about displacement of sailboards, hydrofoils and shoreline use.
The council’s parks staff responded with operational clarifications. Kimberly Moore, assistant parks director, said staff can consider opening the additional parking area across the street for the event and will post signage to notify visitors. “We can look at opening up that area across the street,” Moore said, and staff will also post notices the week before the event.
Moore told the council that attendance at past regattas has ranged from about 500 to 1,400 people, and that overnight stays are generated by some participants, but she said the city does not have an economic-impact estimate to share. She also confirmed that the parks board and parks department had reviewed the permit application before it reached council.
Zarlingo noted water‑quality and noise impacts as considerations but said his primary concern was preserving public access to the shoreline. Council discussion indicated that much of the park — including Camp Patterson and other areas — would remain open during the event, and Zarlingo said that clarified his remaining concerns.
The council approved the application by roll call: Vice President Zarlingo (yes); Council Member Fossey (yes); Council Member Bader (yes); Council Member Ryan (yes); Council Member Vogel (yes); Council Member Tuohy (yes); President Schwab (yes).
The permit will proceed under the city’s event and parks‑use process; the council did not adopt new policy changes during the vote.
