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Renton Parks says safety incidents prompted temporary Gene Colon boat‑launch hours; staff working on automated gates
Summary
After residents complained about sudden overnight closures at the Gene Colon boat launch, parks staff told the council the decision responded to significant safety incidents (including '50 shell casings' found) and said the department is pursuing security contracts, fencing and automated gates and offering refunds to pass holders.
Residents who use the Gene Colon boat launch pressed the council about a sudden change to hours that closed the launch overnight; park staff said the closure was prompted by safety concerns and that staff are working on short‑ and medium‑term fixes.
"There was a need and an urgency to close and adjust the boat launch hours," Mary Jane Van Cleve, parks and recreation administrator, told the council. She said safety incidents were "pretty significant, one of which was 50 shell casings in the boat launch," and described plans to pursue a security contract, automated one‑way gate systems, fencing, and refunds for affected pass holders.
Several boat‑launch users said the overnight closure removed access to early‑morning fishing and threatened summer recreation and Seafair plans. Michael Merrill and other residents said they had purchased launch passes expecting 24‑hour access and urged faster action or alternative enforcement of existing rules.
Van Cleve said the city is still pricing fencing and gate solutions and will follow up with the council, describing the park as about 50 years old and in need of modernization; she framed the closure as a safety choice rather than a punitive measure.
What happens next: parks staff will pursue security agreements and capital fixes and report back to the council; residents asked for a near‑term schedule and faster communication when changes affect paid pass holders.
