Future residents of a new seven-lot development along May Creek Road in Gold Bar could get parking permits. The decals would preserve residential access and keep out overflow parking from nearby Wallace Falls State Park. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Future residents of a new seven-lot development along May Creek Road in Gold Bar could get parking permits. The decals would preserve residential access and keep out overflow parking from nearby Wallace Falls State Park. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Gold Bar considers home parking permits near Wallace Falls

In the past, parking spilled from Wallace Falls State Park into town. Decals could avoid conflicts.

Several years have passed since parking problems at Wallace Falls State Park near Gold Bar warranted making roadside spaces illegal for vehicles.

The waterfalls hike draws hundreds of visitors per day, especially between March and October, and on holidays and weekends. But the trailhead lot only has 107 parking spaces, which has led to vehicle parkers spilling out onto Ley Road, back into town.

Now Gold Bar city officials want to ensure residents have access to their driveways along the road to the park’s trailhead lot and also encourage use of the trails and trips through their town.

A new small development of houses could be a glimpse of a future solution. Wallace Falls Court, the subdivision where Ley Road and May Creek Road meet, has been approved for seven plots. The first permit to build a home was submitted recently, according to city officials.

But with the new homes coming along a street that can be lined with vehicles during weekends, the city wanted to get ahead of potential conflicts between residents and visitors.

“While the state park is a good neighbor and we encourage hikers and activity up there, we also don’t want it to be a problem for our residents,” Gold Bar Public Works director Rich Norris said at a City Council meeting Tuesday.

Based on the council’s direction, Norris proposed creating parking permits for residents who could get up to four decals per household. Doing so would require the Gold Bar City Council to approve an amendment to city code.

People walk along May Creek Road where hundreds of cars were parked March 21, 2020, due to a full parking lot at the Wallace Falls State Park trailhead near Gold Bar. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

People walk along May Creek Road where hundreds of cars were parked March 21, 2020, due to a full parking lot at the Wallace Falls State Park trailhead near Gold Bar. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The city priced parking stickers at about $250 for 300, Norris said. Per the draft ordinance, Wallace Falls Court residents could apply for them with proof of residence and get the decals for free. It would not affect parking rules along Ley Road or May Creek Road.

“We’re not planning on shutting down parking along May Creek Road,” Gold Bar Mayor pro tem Chuck Lie said.

There were issues in the past with drivers clogging the shoulder because the trailhead lot was full. But those conflicts have subsided lately, said Courtney O’Keefe, spokeswoman for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, which is contracted by Gold Bar for law enforcement.

Even through the pandemic last year, it was a busy time for hiking trails, and 187,573 visitors went to Wallace Falls, according to state data. During the stay-home orders, deputies in Gold Bar made one parking enforcement action, O’Keefe said. Since Jan. 1, the department has received two parking complaints and a handful of traffic complaints near the state park.

Councilman Steven Yarbrough asked about enforcement of the parking restrictions, which could require the decals Fridays, Saturdays and holidays.

Gold Bar Police Chief Craig Hess said the officers can issue a ticket, place a 24-hour tow warning sticker on a vehicle, or request a tow. But he first wants to work with the state park ranger to spread word in hiking communities about the potential new no-parking zone.

“We want to gain compliance more collaboratively with them,” he said.

Councilman Jordan Sears wondered what Wallace Falls Court residents would do if they had guests over on weekends and holidays. They could come to city hall and ask for more parking permits temporarily.

Wallace Falls Court’s new parking rules are an experiment, Norris said. Another development, with up to 54 homes and two new streets, is being pursued along Ley Road.

The ordinance is expected to be on the next Gold Bar City Council meeting agenda.

Have a question? Call 425-339-3037 or email streetsmarts@heraldnet.com. Please include your first and last name and city of residence.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.