Board addresses parking, docks and transit access near Keizer parks; staff will continue follow-up

The Keizer Parks and Recreation Advisory Board discussed multiple access and circulation issues affecting city parks on April 8, including neighborhood parking at Ben Miller Park, the timeline for reinstalling river docks, a crosswalk-flag pilot and continuing conversations with Cherriots about bus routing to Keizer Rapids Park.

Board members described recurring overflow parking near Ben Miller Park and noted that city crews had used boulders in some locations to discourage driving on park lawns. Robert (parks staff) said the park shoulder had been widened previously to reduce street parking and that staff will continue monitoring and can add boulders if vehicles persist in parking on the lawn.

On river access, staff reported they plan to reinstall recreational docks in May, after runoff risk declines. “We used to put them in April and sometimes had to take them back out if the river jumped,” Robert said, noting a high Willamette River level this spring. Staff said they will wait until the river is on a sustained downward trend before reinstalling.

Mayor Cathy Clark addressed a question about public transit access, saying logistical issues remain for Cherriots (Route 14) to reach the Keizer Rapids Park turnaround and to align schedules with intersecting routes. “Is there interest? Yes,” the mayor said, noting route coordination, turnaround clearances and timing are the moving parts and that staff and council will continue discussions with transit representatives.

The board also heard about a six-month pilot of a crosswalk flag program at Fifteenth and Chemawa intended to make pedestrians more visible to drivers; staff said the pilot will test whether drivers stop more for pedestrians carrying flags.

No formal votes were taken; staff and council representatives will continue outreach to transit partners and monitor park parking for further action.