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Council rejects gating public roads as remedy for park‑area problems; asks staff to pursue park safety alternatives
Summary
After extended debate over a resident proposal to place gates at the entrance to Parkside neighborhoods near Heron Park, the council declined to change the city's code to allow gating of public roads and directed staff to explore alternatives to reduce illegal or disruptive activity in parks after dark.
The Mill Creek City Council spent significant time discussing a resident request to place a vehicle gate at an entrance to the Parkside neighborhood near Heron Park. Council members voiced concerns about equity, precedent, public access to parks and long‑term maintenance responsibilities, and the council ultimately gave no direction to change code to permit gates on public roads.
Council member John (introducing the issue) said the proposal, first raised with staff in March of the prior year, asks whether property owners could gate a public street at night to deter after‑hours activity near the park. He said some residents asked for a gate that would be lowered at night and raised during the day rather than a fully private gated community. He asked the council to consider both pros and cons.
Council members responded with safety, equity and precedent concerns. Several members — including Council member Duque, Council member Cavalieri and Mayor Pro Tem — said public roads and parks should remain publicly accessible. Council member Duque said if residents want to gate a street they should be prepared to accept full ownership and maintenance responsibilities for the road. Several council members pointed out the city code currently prohibits gates on public roads and that permitting a single case would set a precedent that could prompt many similar requests.
Council member Paddock and others also noted that gating would not necessarily stop people from accessing a park on foot, and that the city’s parks are closed from dusk to dawn; members suggested enforcement and park‑safety measures would be a better approach. The police chief provided data later in the meeting showing 23 responses to Heron Park since January 1, 2023, mostly suspicious‑activity and noise complaints, and staff noted many calls are transient and officers sometimes arrive after people have left.
Although some residents of Parkside and other neighborhoods have raised concerns about nighttime activity, the council was clear that it would not change policy to allow gates on public streets. Council members asked staff to develop alternative measures to reduce unwanted activity in parks (for example increased targeted patrols, lighting, cameras, neighborhood awareness and stewardship programs) and to bring those options back for council consideration. The council did not vote to change code at the meeting.
