Really? Behind the shed? C’mon!

Summer is around the corner, and the park district’s paddleboard and kayak program is gearing up again. It is a popular program, with nearly 400 people having signed up in 2024. At the April 14 park district meeting, officials reviewed issues from last season: while the honor system kayak program at Lighthouse Park ran smoothly, the Maple Beach paddleboards took a beating.

“People have been very disrespectful,” said parks administrator Dee Gough. “They broke the fins off, took boards home, and damaged the shack storing life jackets and paddles.” Commissioner Bill Zydel added, “They use them like lawn chairs, drag them across streets, and beat the crap out of them.”

Last summer, Zydel even tracked down missing boards himself: “I’m a crazy old guy with a pickup. I found them at a party at someone’s house being used for sunbathing. I just told them to give me the paddleboards. And it worked.”

When asked if rules were posted, Gough replied, “Yes, and they ripped them out of the shack.” She emphasized the need for more education around proper use.

The paddleboards are stored near the condos at Bayview and Roosevelt where further complaints arose, including reports of people defecating behind the shed. Gough will contact the Whatcom County Parks and Recreation department, which oversees Maple Beach county park, to request a port-a-potty.

[An email to Whatcom County Parks and Recreation director Bennett Knox and county executive community outreach manager Jed Holmes on April 21 asking if the county had plans to provide washroom facilities at Maple Beach was not returned by presstime.]

The district is buying a new shed to replace the one that was destroyed. This one will be lower and will provide less privacy for those who decide to relieve themselves behind it.

Other issues at Maple Beach include theft of public parking signs and driftwood being used to block public parking spaces. Gough will coordinate with the Maple Beach Association to include paddleboard and parking guidelines in their summer newsletter.