Sequim council to revisit Cary Blake Park fireworks after residents cite wildlife, pollution and fire risks

Sequim City Council on Feb. 24 agreed to place a detailed review of the city's commercial fireworks display at Cary Blake Park on a future regular meeting agenda after multiple residents and environmental groups urged the city to stop fireworks at the park because of wildlife, pollution and fire risks.

City Council action: Councilors asked staff to assemble alternatives, report on any legal risks and summarize contract and cost implications before the council discusses changes at a subsequent meeting scheduled in about one month.

Why it matters: Commenters said Cary Blake Park hosts large numbers of birds and other wildlife, that fireworks debris and chemical residues spread beyond the park, and that falling debris has previously sparked fires on park vegetation. Several speakers raised potential conflicts with federal bird-protection statutes and asked the city to consider lower-impact displays or moving nighttime events to the high school athletic fields.

Residents and conservation groups pressed the council over roughly 20 minutes of public comment. Susan Griffin, a Sequim resident, said her group has spent seven months preparing materials asking the city to discontinue all commercial fireworks within the city limits, specifically calling out Cary Blake Park and the Water Reuse Demonstration Facility. Griffin said the group's packet includes maps, statute summaries and a report of a young gosling found dead in a pile of feathers the morning after a July fireworks show at the park.

Jamie Porter, representing Protect the Peninsula Foundation, told the council the foundation opposes commercial fireworks at Cary Blake Park because of pollution and public-health concerns. Porter said fireworks contain chemicals such as cadmium that can spread beyond the park and that the noise is disruptive to pets and people with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Darlene Shandfald, speaking for the Sierra Club North Olympic Group, and Steve Koehler of Olympic Environmental Council both urged the council to move to drone shows or relocate the display to a site that does not attract wildlife. Joyce Volman of the Olympic Peninsula Audubon Society urged the council to consider nesting seasons and the documented importance of Cary Blake for birds.

Several speakers cited counts and surveys: Koehler referenced Cornell Lab of Ornithology volunteers who recorded about 45 bird species using Cary Blake Park and recent surveys noting more than 2,000 individual birds at a time. Speakers also raised the presence of an active bald eagle nest near the park and said Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has an oak-prairie restoration project immediately north of the park.

Staff and council next steps: Councilors asked staff to return to council with a clear packet including the contract status and cancellation or relocation costs, an assessment of whether the city's current plan potentially violates federal protections mentioned by speakers, and a comparison of alternatives (pros and cons, cost estimates for drone shows or relocation). City staff indicated a contract for the upcoming display included a 50% deposit already paid; staff said that amount is already sunk and that staff will research legal exposure and alternatives.

Mayor Brandon Genese and other councilors said they wanted the item formally on a future council agenda so the public could see full documentation and alternatives; Parks staff and the city manager were asked to compile the materials and return in about a month. Council did not take a final policy vote at the Feb. 24 meeting.

Ending note: Several speakers asked for the item to be scheduled as a formal agenda discussion, and council agreed to do so so the public can view staff's findings and alternatives in an open meeting.