Council adopts updated parks rules to clarify bikes, e‑bikes, motor vehicles and seasonal dog restrictions

The Council adopted ordinance 49‑45, updating Kirkland’s park rules to clarify where motor vehicles, bicycles, electric‑assist bicycles and motorized scooters may be used, standardize trail behavior and speeds, and specify seasonal swim‑beach dog prohibitions.

Parks staff said edits were directed by council at a June meeting and aligned definitions with other Kirkland Municipal Code sections. Juliana DeCruz, a senior management analyst, summarized key clarifications: an electric motorcycle is a motor vehicle while an electric‑assist bicycle is not; motor vehicles are allowed only on roads and parking areas unless otherwise posted; and all trail users must “comply with the 15 mile per hour speed limit on trails” and exercise reasonable care for other users.

The revisions also rename a previously confusing "projectiles" section to focus on "activities posing risk to persons in parks," emphasizing behavior rather than enumerating devices. Staff clarified swim‑beach dog rules: dogs are prohibited on designated swim beaches between May 1 and September 30 and whenever beaches are closed for safety reasons; dogs may be allowed year‑round at other beaches and must be leashed at all times.

Council members praised staff for responsive edits and asked about implementation, signage and ranger training. Staff said they will expand ranger training with the police department, buy handheld citation units, formalize escalation procedures for misdemeanors, and deploy new signage and public education as part of an implementation plan.

The ordinance passed on a 7‑0 roll‑call vote.