Residents complain about Smith Park two-hour parking limit as pickleball players receive tickets

A recurring complaint from park users was raised during commission reports: several pickleball players and other Smith Park attendees reported receiving citations tied to a two-hour limit in the Smith Park parking lot.

A commission member and a resident who identified themselves as a long-time pickleball ambassador described repeated parking enforcement since late February and asked whether the city could change the lot limit to four hours to accommodate multi-hour events and regular play sessions. Resident speakers said enforcement appears more active recently and that some players have stopped attending because of citation risk.

Staff responded that the parking policy in the lot has existed for several years but enforcement had intensified; staff said Public Works and the Police Department have begun reviewing the specific limit and possible changes and will coordinate with the contracted citation vendor and risk and traffic management to evaluate impacts. Staff said overnight parking rules remain separately managed through permits and that restrictions apply to the Smith Park lot specifically (other park streets may not have the same daytime limit). Staff offered to follow up with the Police Department about enforcement practices (for example whether moving a car within the same lot to reset a timer is permitted) and to report back to the commission.

Commissioners asked staff to consider the user experience for families attending longer events and to reconcile permit/reservation policies for picnic areas with everyday lot enforcement. No policy change was decided at the meeting; staff said they will return with recommended options after consulting enforcement and risk management.