Medical Lake pursues options to deal with problems at Pioneer Park

By JAMES EIK

Staff Reporter

The skatepark in Medical Lake is closed until next spring.

Recent events of vandalism prompted the City Council to close the property to the public.

During the citizens comment portion of the Aug. 16 City Council meeting, several residents stepped forward to voice their concern over the park. They have seen an increase in drug use, alcohol use and vandalism in the park over the past few weeks, though Mayor John Higgins said that the park has always had its problems.

“A lot of people are coming from Cheney and Airway Heights and Spokane, and they're older kids,” Higgins said.

Graffiti found on the skatepark's outer wall, on bathrooms in Pioneer Park and increased drug use has caused growing concern in the area.

City Administrator Doug Ross said that he has spoken with Allied Security about obtaining a quote to place security cameras in the area to catch potential criminals. Up to this point, Spokane County Sheriff's deputies have trespassed violators from the park for an entire year.

The city, Higgins said, will pursue restitution, community service sentences and fining parents of the juveniles who are found committing crimes in the park.

“It has become a raceway, a drug trafficking area and it needs to stop,” one resident said.

The city removed picnic tables from the park in an effort to curb graffiti. Ross said that he has been asked about the tables, but believed that it was better they were removed. Lights will go up in the park in the coming weeks, to help illuminate the area.

Councilman Howard Jorgenson put forward a motion to close the park until the spring, which was approved by the council. A discussion of hours for the park will take place before the next City Council meeting, where a recommendation will be made.

To further help lower the crime potential in the park, the City Council will also consider joining the Crime Stoppers network for Spokane County.

The city's garbage services were also discussed during the meeting, following a presentation by representatives from Sunshine Disposal.

Curbside service and recycling are among the services offered by the company, which would cause a $4.73 monthly increase in a resident's refuse bill. An organics waste service is also provided, but would not be mandatory if the city chose to go with Sunshine Disposal.

Doug Ross presented an update to the city's six-year transportation improvement plan. Since the city has little funds available to dedicate toward road repair, its main funding avenue is through grants given by the state.

“The focus is mainly on the upcoming year, because that's the grant cycle,” Ross said.

Some of the roads improved in 2012 under the plan include sealing cracks on Lake Street, reconstructing Howard Street, improving access to the pedestrian trail near City Hall and continuing sidewalks along Highway 902 near Graham Lane.

Since the improvement plan must be updated each year, the city chose to focus its efforts on next year's planned improvements. The grant cycle begins once again Aug. 31.

James Eik can be reached at [email protected].