Residents urge action on Dolphin and Seabreeze parks over fires, after-hours parties and rental cleanup
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Summary
Two residents raised concerns during public comment about safety and maintenance at city parks: frequent after-hours campfires, groups and late-night activity at Dolphin Park; and trash left after private rentals at Seabreeze Park plus a suggestion for a refundable deposit and exclusive rental periods.
Two La Porte residents used the council’s public-comment period to press for stronger management of city parks.
Mike Davis, who identified himself as living at 1200 Bayshore Drive, told the council he lives adjacent to Dolphin Park and praised recent placement of additional trash cans but said he has observed campfires and late-night gatherings there. "The issue that could be a problem in the future ... are fires out there. Campfires by the water," Davis said, adding that when the area is dry and winds are strong those fires could be hazardous. He said activity often runs past the posted 10 p.m. closing time and that banked topography can make fires hard to see from adjacent streets.
Joshua Beyer of 502 South Iowa spoke about Seabreeze Park and said weekend rentals leave the site trashed. He proposed a refundable deposit that would be returned only if renters leave the park clean, and suggested exclusive rental windows so a private party controls access during their rental. Beyer also endorsed the city employees who manage rentals by name, saying, "Juan and Jennifer, the 2 people who run that part, do an outstanding job." He also raised the idea of building a jetty near the park but cautioned it might be costly.
Both speakers framed their remarks as requests for council or staff consideration rather than formal propositions. No immediate council action was taken during public comment; councilmembers acknowledged the concerns and later referenced parks operations in administrative remarks.
Why it matters
These remarks raise public-safety and park-management issues that could require operational changes by Parks & Recreation, including enforcement of posted hours, fire-safety patrols or signage, changes to rental agreements, or a deposit requirement for large rentals.
Next steps
Staff did not announce immediate policy changes during the meeting; the matters were entered into the public record and may be routed to Parks & Recreation for follow-up.