Busy East Pierce County park gets security, raises parking tickets from $25 to $250
Parking enforcement will get stricter at one of Bonney Lake’s popular parks.
The Bonney Lake City Council unanimously voted Tuesday, May 23, to update its city code to prohibit and restrict parking at specific spots around Allan Yorke Park at 7203 W. Tapps Highway E.
The updates also include banning vehicles from parking in spaces reserved for boat trailers. Additionally, the council raised the fine for breaking any of the parking rules from $25 to $250. City officials hope these changes will address overcrowding and parking issues in the area.
“I think this is important to pass, especially in light of the testimony earlier tonight,” council member James McClimans Sr. said during the meeting.
Some attendees shared their concerns about the park. One attendee talked about improperly parked vehicles. Another tearfully stated how scared she is to bring her children there. Recent fights at the park spooked her.
Council member Terry Carter told The News Tribune the city code updates won’t completely fix the problem, but it will give the local police “teeth” to limit crowding at the park.
The Bonney Lake Police Department recently placed additional officers as well as private security at the park after “several fights” broke out Saturday, May 13, according to one of the agency’s social media posts.
The police department wrote in the social media post that “several arrests” were made that day.
The News Tribune reached out to the police department for more information about the fights, how many private security officers will be working at the park, when they will be there and what the security will cost. A spokesperson wasn’t immediately available. Carter wasn’t certain how many security officers will be working at the park.
The parking prohibitions and restrictions aren’t a result of what happened May 13, Carter said. It’s a conversation the city has had since last year.
Allan Yorke is the only free park on Lake Tapps. Visitation is expected to increase as the city’s population grows, city planning and building supervisor Jason Sullivan said.
Council member Tom Watson said during the meeting that the updates to the city code are a step forward to address residents’ concerns about the park.
The zones where parking is prohibited are:
South of Bonney Lake Boulevard East between West Tapps Highway East and 192nd Avenue East
East of West Tapps Highway East between 67th Street East and 76th Street Court East
Both sides of West Tapps Highway East between 76th Street Court East and Church Lake Road East
Both sides of 76th Street Court East from West Tapps Highway East to the end of the road
The areas where parking is restricted to those who live there and have a pass are:
Both sides of 194th Avenue East, south of Bonney Lake Boulevard East and north of 76th Street East
Both sides of 193rd Avenue East, south of Bonney Lake Boulevard East to the end of the road and north of Bonney Lake Boulevard East to 68th Street East
Both sides of Church Lake Drive East from West Tapps Highway East to 72nd Street East
Both sides of 76th Street East and both sides of 194th Avenue East to the end of the road
Both sides of 202nd Avenue East from 76th Street Court East to 78th Street Court East
Both sides of 75th Street East from 194th Avenue East to 193rd Avenue East
Both sides of 77th Street Court East from 202nd Avenue East to 204th Avenue East
Residents who live on restricted streets can get a free permit from the city. Vehicles parked on those streets without a permit may get a citation or get towed.
The parking prohibitions and restrictions won’t go into effect until signs are installed, according to the ordinance. Sullivan said he expects the city to post signs sometime next month.
