PORT ANGELES — More than three years after the city declared a moratorium on memorials and donations to city parks, most notably along Waterfront Trail, new guidelines and fees for them will take effect Jan. 1.
Deputy Recreation Director Bill Sterling said Tuesday that the City Council will hear a short presentation on the new policy and fees at either its Nov. 1 or 15 meeting.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission approved the new policy and fees at its Oct. 20 meeting, pending minor changes in some prices.
Commission Chairman Chuck Whidden said once those changes are made, he will sign the final version and the fees will take effect Jan. 1.
The commission’s bylaws do not require the policy and fees be approved by the City Council, he said.
Moratorium started in ’02
Port Angeles stopped accepting donations and memorials in 2002 until policies could be developed for their acceptance, installation and maintenance.
The moratorium was driven in part by the addition of 3.5 miles to Waterfront Trail through the Rayonier property east of Hollywood Beach.
Some people also complained that the memorials made Waterfront Trail look like “cemetery row.”
The new policy will apply to all memorials and donations made after Jan. 1, 2006.
Donations covered in the policy include park benches, bicycle racks, picnic tables, playground equipment, drinking fountains, trees, monuments, flags and interpretative signs.
Donated buildings, playgrounds and public art, except at the Port Angeles Fine Art Center and the Art Outside Program, are not covered by the new policy.
Those items are subject to approval by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission and City Council.
