Shortcut taking toll at Redmond's Marymoor Park

Commuters who use the road through Marymoor Park as a shortcut will soon be greeted by two formidable obstacles: a gate and a parking attendant collecting a fee.

The Metropolitan King County Council yesterday approved a permanent pay-parking system for the Redmond park. It includes a plan for new mechanized pay boxes and a parking attendant during morning and evening commute hours at the park's east entry.

A gate, which would be used only from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., is expected to discourage commuters from using the park's only through road. The changes should be in place by Sept. 1.

No firm numbers on how many commuters use the road were presented.

The gate caused considerable discussion at yesterday's council meeting. Some council members were concerned about effects on Redmond traffic and the negative image of a barrier at the park's entrance.

"I just want to make sure we're not turning this into a toll road," said Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, R-Redmond, who was upset about the proposal but later warmed to it when she learned that parents dropping off their children during peak hours would not be charged the $1 fee to enter.

Instead, she explained, those who come through the east gate could get a 20-minute free pass. There will not be a gate at the west entrance.

In an effort to bring in more revenue, King County in February started charging patrons $1 to park at Marymoor. Currently, users place their payment in an envelope, which goes into a fare box, and display the receipt in their car window. Compliance is about 75 percent to 80 percent, according to the county's report.

The new mechanized pay boxes will be faster for park staffers to empty and will allow people to pay with coins or bills of various denominations.

Natalie Singer: 206-464-2704