2 more Don Armeni Boat Ramp signage notes

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More on Don Armeni Boat Ramp signage. First, temporary signs:

Thanks for the tips about these no-parking signs, both inside the park and on Harbor Avenue along the park. They’re for Saturday, July 20, entire day, in the name of MJ68 Productions, for “filming.” The company’s credits, listed online, would suggest the strong likelihood of a car commercial; we have a message out to try to ascertain.

Also at Don Armeni:

(Photo by Stewart L.)

When we reported Monday on that new signage, some commenters wondered how the stated exception for people going fishing would work, especially considering a salmon season is coming up. We asked Parks, and spokesperson Rachel Schulkin told us no exceptions: “The gates will remain locked until 6 AM. This is a short-term response to mitigate crime and dangerous activity taking place along Alki and at this parking lot.”

Duffy July 17, 2024 (2:45 pm)

MOAR SIGNS!!!

Mike July 17, 2024 (3:06 pm)

Why, on a prime weekend day?

CarDriver July 17, 2024 (3:17 pm)

“This is a short term response” I’m guessing the city in its infinite wisdom is convinced criminal activity will disappear and not come back once their “short term response” end’s. Our tax dollars at work.

Dolores July 17, 2024 (7:25 pm)

You have a boat,you have a trailer, you have a vehicle. So what if you have to find a new fishing hole a few miles away?
- Alan July 18, 2024 (7:06 am)
  
  The little fishing hole called Puget Sound? The next ramp is 40mins away.
  - J July 18, 2024 (9:23 am)
    
    There is actually a boat launch, a FREE boat launch at the 1st Ave South bridge. The Duwamish River boat ramp. Used it many times. No complaints.
    - Alan July 18, 2024 (11:00 am)
      
      I haven’t tried the 1st Ave South ramp yet. I was curious about the parking situation there, so I wanted to scout it before I took my boat. And then it’s a longish haul down the Duwamish to get back out to open water for the marine area fishing seasons.
    - TM July 18, 2024 (5:00 pm)
      
      There is actually a boat launch, a FREE boat launch at the 1st Ave South bridge. The Duwamish River boat ramp. Used it many times. No complaints.
      
      Very limited parking, and a located a couple of hundred feet from the perpetual open-air chop shop/RV camp that went ablaze again a couple of weeks ago. No thanks, I don’t want to be someone’s next car or trailer donor.
      
      Seriously, how hard is it to run the existing dedicated boat ramp at Armeni with an eye on the primary (and paying) users?
- Brian July 18, 2024 (8:50 am)
  
  You clearly don’t understand that you need a boat launch to get your boat in the water and those aren’t as numerous as you seem to think.
my two cents July 17, 2024 (8:32 pm)

… I took short term response as meaning summer, you know the time of the year when things seem to occur in the neighborhood.

waikikigirl July 17, 2024 (3:23 pm)

No exceptions??? Really, really so the people who fish get the short end of the straw for the wrong doings of the criminals. WOW this City is just WRONG to put it nicely!

Star55 July 17, 2024 (3:26 pm)

So the good folks of WS lose again. 😤😤

Whisky Woods July 17, 2024 (3:40 pm)

Where’s the next closest salt water boat ramp with 24 hour public access, Des Monies?

Nic July 17, 2024 (8:31 pm)

There is no access in Des Moines. Just Redondo. Or you have to drive to Golden Gardens. Not close.
- Alan July 18, 2024 (6:59 am)
  
  And Redondo hours are 5am to dusk.

RLV July 17, 2024 (4:30 pm)

The sign itself says “Except Vehicles with Boat Trailers and Valid Permits” which lets people who fish do their thing.

CarDriver July 17, 2024 (5:08 pm)

RLV. Until 6am(or whenever they get there to unlock)the gate will be LOCKED meaning NOBODY can get in.
- Bill#1 July 19, 2024 (12:39 pm)
  
  And suddenly all the people that would have put their boats in between 3 and 6 am (almost all for a typical morning) will have to put their boats in all at once — lots-oh fun!

Long-time reader, first-time commenter July 17, 2024 (4:32 pm)

Can we pause and appreciate the irony here? Whilst the city tries to crack down on street racing and dangerous car shenanigans at this location, it is the likely scene for a car commercial, maybe with some crazy stunt driving? “Professional driver on a closed course, do not attempt, at least not until the gates reopen.”

Westseattlebornnraised July 18, 2024 (7:20 am)

I can appreciate that you all think there is street racing and such at the boat launch but there definitely isn’t. This is a park and chill spot . Also the cops can come sit there we don’t care about that most of us are just hanging out with our fast clean LICENSED AND INSURED cars . No tickets necessary .
- WSHASW July 18, 2024 (1:46 pm)
  
  Oh my gosh WSborn and raised: Are you one of the street racers with the extra loud mufflers who blow down Harbor Ave SW passing cars on the right by driving through the street parking lane or even onto the Alki Trail? I suggest that you look at the actual pavement on Harbor Ave SW where you will see the tire tread marks, including the “donuts”, laid down by street racers that are both autos and motorcycles. Or try standing on the side of the street when the racers drive by at more than 60 + mph and be sure to cover your ears in order to muffle the extraordinary noise that sounds like backfire, firecrackers and gun shots. Oh, and watch for the frightened children with their parents or the dogs who want to break away from their leashes while on their walks because drivers who lack any common sense are using Harbor Ave SW as a speed way. AND most of the racers congregate at the boat ramp parking lot – which is for boats and trailers not street racers. The inconvenience boaters will face is squarely on the shoulders of the street racers not the Alki/Harbor Ave neighbors or Seattle City officials who have finally had enough.

Kyle July 17, 2024 (4:34 pm)

Thank goodness Parks is keeping us safe from the fisherman 🙄. Tired of this city using reducing access to law abiding citizens as the solution to crime. Real action would be things like responding when neighbors called about illegals activity. Actively patrolling, etc.

Derek July 17, 2024 (5:40 pm)

No that’s still a reactionary solution. Fix poverty’s cause with economic solutions not jailing and harassing the poor.
- Kyle July 18, 2024 (3:36 pm)
  
  What? We are not talking about poverty crimes, but please would love to hear you solutions. Anyone regardless of income can drive a car recklessly or party at the beach. I pay taxes to have a police force respond and investigate crimes. Instead we have every other branch of government doing something to limit access.
anonyme July 17, 2024 (6:30 pm)

Exactly right. This is so typically Seattle; instead of addressing the actual problem or criminals, law-abiding citizens are punished instead. It’s like when drug users took over bus shelters. Instead of dealing with them, the City removed the shelters needed by seniors and others. Or raising the cost of pet licenses paid for by responsible pet owners to pay for problems caused by unlicensed pets and unethical breeding practices. The list goes on…

CarDriver July 17, 2024 (5:31 pm)

WSB. If a vehicle(with or without a trailer) is parked inside when they lock up will it be impounded or stuck until 6am??

O-Salt July 17, 2024 (7:33 pm)

I suspect the “vehicles with boat trailers” refers to people who launch their boats for overnight trips such as Blake Island etc.
They would leave their vehicles in the lot understanding they would be there until after 6 AM the next day for example. .

Gatewood July 17, 2024 (8:49 pm)

I know they are paying a security company to open the gate so why not pay them to just stay there from 4-6 so we can launch our boats? What a joke. The speed bumps didn’t work and the gate won’t either. They will just jump the curb.Nearest boat launch North is Shilshole and South is Redondo which is nearly Federal Way. Desmoines has no more sling. This launch is access for a lot of port contractors, local tribes, as well as the coast guard and other agencies.

Peterman July 17, 2024 (8:53 pm)

I don’t know what to say, except Seattle Parks really got they’re wires crossed on this one. No flexibility on unlocking a gate an hour or two earlier and scheduling a commercial location at the only saltwater boat ramp in S. Seattle on the opening Saturday of Area 10 salmon season, which is only, like, 3 days. Classic!

Brian Moore July 18, 2024 (7:28 am)

Seattle DOT, P&R and Wa Fisheries seem totally siloed and have no awareness of what each are doing.

wetone July 17, 2024 (10:07 pm)

It’s interesting Seattle can pay overtime to SPD officers to sit in their cars on July 4th blocking roadways, including around Alki Point (south side). How about having them sit at boat launch and start writing tickets to violator’s ….. win win. Bruce Harrell needs to put his big boy pants on and start doing something that doesn’t impact law abiding citizens for actions of those violating laws……that is all to common today

Anne July 18, 2024 (8:33 am)

While your overtime comment regarding SPD is inane-I 100% agree with your last sentence. Start doing something that doesn’t impact law abiding citizens. Do something that actually deters-punishes those that break the law.

Wseattleite July 18, 2024 (1:59 am)

This is entirely predictable from the people who ran around and nailed 2 by 4s on the park benches during the response to the pandemic to keep people 6’ apart. Please can I give more of my taxes to these people?

TM July 18, 2024 (5:17 am)

“This is a short term response”This is truly nuts. The filming bit on Saturday is really the icing on the cake. 3 day salmon opener, and like in recent years they have put the first two days midweek, so Saturday will be the first and only weekend day for this opener. So you are locking it until after sunrise, then severely limiting access Saturday so you can use it for a film shoot?? Saturday is going to be by far the busiest day. Once people show up and get shut down, they are going to have to try to regroup going to Shilshole (fishing areas due south are not open for chinook this weekend). Shilshole will already be slammed, and there are a finite number of spaces. So a lot of folks are going to find out day of that despite doing the right things, and having paid $150 for an annual fee, they have been effectively screwed over and will be heading back home. Really hard to believe the short-sightedness and lack of alignment. Huge fail.

Canton July 18, 2024 (7:06 am)

This is complete BS… Punish the fishermen, because of street racers? This city is cowardly, when dealing with crime…

S_Confluentus July 18, 2024 (9:04 am)

So lame. Can they give a pro-rated refund to those of us who paid for an annual launch pass that they’ve made nearly useless at the exact time most people really want to use it? Wait, don’t answer…

Dwg July 18, 2024 (12:47 pm)

for the same reason, i had to dispute my CC charge during covid when they shut down the ramps after taking my $. i’d suggest you do the same.

Henry July 18, 2024 (1:59 pm)

There’s probably 300,000 people for which this is the closest boat launch to area 10 to access the 3 day chinook season. I guess it’s not the city’s problem that hundreds of fishermen will have to drive another 45 minutes when they show up at 4am to find locked gates. Another reason people resent government. Good luck with your levy and everything else you want from us. All because opening at 4am when people want to access it is unreasonable compared to 6am? For a 3 day season.