Pack parking causing congestion

SANDPOINT — If you head up to float the Pack, don’t flout the parking laws while you’re there.

Bonner County Sheriff’s officials advised Monday that deputies would be conductingan enforcement of county parking ordinances in the area after receiving numerous complaints about parking and traffic congestion in the area.

“This time of year, the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office usually receives numerous calls of parking problems with people illegally parking on the roadway in the area of Colburn Culver and Upper Pack bridge,” BCSO officials said in a press release.

While it is legal to park in the area — unless the spot is posted with no-parking signs — BCSO said in the release that vehicles must be completely off the roadway and cause congestion for passing cars and trucks.

The sheriff’s office will be enforcing applicable parking and traffic regulations with either warnings or citations. BCSO officials also noted in the press release that the registered owner is responsible for that vehicle and can be cited and the vehicle towed at that individual’s expense if the person driving failed to park in accordance with traffic regulations.

BCSO noted that county laws prohibit anyone from parking a vehicle on a county street, roadway or highway within the county “in such a manner as to impede the free flow of vehicles or where official signs prohibit parking.”

Parking prohibitions also note that vehicles cannot be parked where prohibit through signage, or park a vehicle in violation of any posted parking regulations.

Individuals may, however, temporarily stop their vehicle to unload passengers or belongings, according to the release.

The appropriate authorities, including the sheriff, fire district chief, with the input of Bonner County Road & Bridge or Independent Highway District, can request official “no parking” signs on country roads “in areas with limited or restrict access to protect public safety vehicles access.”

Anyone found in violation of the ordinance “shall be guilty of a misdemeanor” and subject to a $100 fine.

The news was greeted with a mixture of praise and curiousity on social media about what the traffic rules entailed, with most welcoming the news and saying the congestion poses significant safety issues.

“I hope they also take the time to review the parking issues by the Pack River Store as there have been so many cars that the road is down to single lane and somewhat hazardous with people standing in the middle of the bridge,” wrote Diane Green on the Daily Bee’s Facebook page on Monday.

Some noted that the area has always attracted folks looking for some summer fun on the river but added congestion has become worse recently.

“Has been my family’s favorite floating and swimming area for years now,” wrote Barbie Cushman Hittle on the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page. “It’s always been busy. But it definitely is worse now than I’ve ever seen it. They need to make some more parking somehow. It is a great recreation area for families.”

Some called for common sense when heading out to the area.

“One of the great things about swimming holes is that they aren’t official parks,” wrote Lisa Manske on the BCSO Facebook page. “We don’t need another Sandpoint City Beach. If everyone just uses common courtesy and doesn’t park illegally, it will stay a great swimming hole.”

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.