Your PUD News Release

Courtesy helps everyone enjoy popular PUD parks safely

Chelan County PUD
News Release
8/6/2010

Chelan County PUD parks are popular places – especially in the summer - as walkers, runners, bicyclists, softball players and families visit to exercise, have fun and cool off.

To make sure everyone enjoys their visit safely, Chelan County PUD is reminding park guests to look out for each other on the trail, in play areas and at swim beaches.

“It’s wonderful to see the community and out-of-towners enjoying the parks, and we want to make sure everyone feels safe and welcome,” said PUD Parks Manager Ray Heit. “One of the best things about our parks is that there are so many things to see and do, but sometimes that can be distracting.”
Heit said courtesy and safety on the Apple Capital Loop Trail is especially important. All users are asked to stay on the right half of the trail except to pass.

“When you approach a group to pass, please let them know you’re going around them,” Heit said. “Bicyclists can use a bell, or say, ‘on your left.’ The same goes for runners and those using scooters or rollerblades.”

The speed limit on the trail is 10 mph.

If you want to stop and talk, please step off the trail, Heit added. Dogs must be on a leash and kept from straying across the trail. Families are also reminded to keep toddlers from darting into the path of faster trail users.

To enhance the family atmosphere in the parks during the busy summer season, Chelan PUD is adding evening bicycle patrols by off-duty Wenatchee Police officers to its security measures in Wenatchee Riverfront and Walla Walla Point parks.

“The officers will be there to answer questions and help people feel welcome, as well as provide enforcement of park rules and city ordinances,” said Heit.
Park rules are posted in PUD parks and also on the District’s website under “Parks and Recreation>Parks.”

Chelan County PUD built and owns 14 parks along the Columbia River and Lake Chelan and operates seven of them including three in the Wenatchee Valley - Wenatchee Riverfront Park; Walla Walla Point Park; Kirby Billingsley Hydro Park, located on the Douglas County side of the river – and four in the Chelan area - Chelan Falls Park; Chelan Falls Powerhouse Park; Chelan Riverwalk Park; and Beebe Bridge Park. The landscaped grounds at Rocky Reach Visitor Center are also a popular destination.

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For more information contact PUD Parks Manager Ray Heit, 661-4133.
Kimberlee Craig
Public Information Officer
Chelan County PUD
Wenatchee, WA
(509) 661-4320, office
(509) 679-6858, mobile
kimberlee.craig@chelanpud.org
www.chelanpud.org