Editor:
As a swimmer who uses the marine park at Brackett’s Landing for ogling and working out, I love that the showers are back on (they are on seasonally). However, my old hands cannot turn them off… and they leak pouring gallons of fresh water out per hour. Every year I think parks might think about fixing them over the winter but no, they just turned them on to leak again. This is a huge waste of water. I have written to city parks directly about this issue … but maybe you can too if preserving resources matters to you too.
In addition to this issue, did you know that swimmers and divers using, maintaining and preserving this underwater park constantly have to tell kayakers, those fishing and using stand-up paddleboards that they are not allowed on or in these waters? Although there is a PROS plan in place which may include better signage, neither parks nor city council has made inroads into supporting this fragile shoreline bordering this amazing marine park by making a real effort to enforce their own codes.
The best way you can help this park is bu speaking up to protect its inhabitants and asking to fix a plumbing issue so we all can respect the precious resources that we are lucky to use/have. Please consider writing a short note to parks at www.edmondswa.gov/…/parks_and…/talk_to_us or email the city council today. Neil Tibbott, city council: Neil.Tibbott@edmondswa.gov
Katy Bigelow
Edmonds
The City of Edmonds Parks, Recreation & Human Services Department appreciates your interest and concern about these items at Brackett’s Landing North and the Dive Park. The shower replacement project was identified and prioritized over the winter. This month a new shower as well as a bottle filler were ordered for the park with contracted installation to be scheduled once they arrive. We also responded to the request for additional signage regarding no watercraft allowed in the Dive Park and those will be in place soon. We recognize the Edmonds Underwater Dive Park is a unique and wonderful amenity and support maintaining and protecting this valuable natural resource.
One item that was missed is dogs on the beach. North of Bracketts Landing is a bird sanctuary and all orher Edmonds beaches are Marine sanctuaries with the exception of Marina dog park. One seal pup was mauled at Marina Beach Park. It’s time these ordinances were enforced. People tell me they never see the signs. Does the city have a plan?
I’ll never forget the afternoon I was sitting in my car by Bracketts Landing. It was sunny but cool and still. There were a few people walking slowly along the walkway. We all spotted an otter on the beach and as one, every person stopped and silently watched while it watched back cautiously, neither bothering the other. Then a man came by with his large leashed dog and chose to urge the dog into a run AT the otter, running with the dog. The spell was broken, the otter left, and we were all disappointed. Shame on that insensitive clueless man.