Council narrows Campbell Park gate hours to sunrise/sunset; ordinance passes 4‑1 on first reading

The Lake City Council on April 21 voted 4‑1 on first reading to change Campbell Park (Lake Montgomery) hours from the current 8 a.m.–5 p.m. schedule to a rule that sets access from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. The change was proposed by the police chief and discussed at length with staff and public commenters.

Chief Butler told the council the existing 8-to-5 hours are restrictive and that opening the pier and boat ramp for daylight hours would allow residents and visitors to fish before or after work and to use the facility more productively. He recommended setting the gates to open a half hour before sunrise and close a half hour after sunset; public works and utilities staff told the council the gate timers and signs can be adjusted seasonally and suggested posting inserts with the correct opening and closing times for each three‑month period.

Council discussion focused on practical implementation and resident concerns. Some council members asked for a simpler two‑period approach (summer/winter permanent times tied to daylight saving periods) while others preferred quarterly adjustments tied to official sunrise/sunset times. Citizen George Hudson, who had been active on the pier hours topic, supported expanded hours but asked for exact times to be published in advance so regular users would not be surprised by sign changes. Several council members noted the police department will continue to enforce park curfews and that gates merely limit access points.

Vote and next steps: The council passed the ordinance on first reading (roll call 4‑1, Mayor Walker opposed). Chief Butler and staff said signage and timer adjustments will be coordinated with utilities and public works; staff noted a second reading is required before the change becomes final, and the chief said the earliest practical implementation would follow second reading and administrative work to update signs and gate programming.

Why it matters: The change affects public access to a heavily used waterfront facility, with implications for resident recreation, safety enforcement and periodic maintenance of the gated entry system.

Ending: Council members requested clear posted schedules, interdepartmental coordination to manage gate timers and safety, and notification to residents once the schedule is finalized following second reading.