Marine Patrols and new park regulations greet visitors to Lake Chelan

Chelan County Marine Patrol Unit.

Stellar weather is planned for the Memorial Day holiday weekend in the Lake Chelan Valley. A robust influx of visitors to the area is expected along with residents getting outdoors to enjoy Lake Chelan, Don Morse, Lakeside and Chelan Riverwalk parks.

The city of Chelan has installed new regulations in city parks.

"We'll prohibit barbeque grills, other than what's already in the park, prohibit day camping where people set up tents," said Chelan City Administrator Wade Farris. "We've also hired a security firm. They will be partnered with the Sheriff's Department (to enforce the new rules and educate park users)."

Two-sided shade tents, no larger than 10-by-10 feet are allowed. Personal BBQs and fire pits are prohibited. Alcohol is banned in city parks except at designated areas in the Lakeshore RV Park and the Lake Chelan Municipal Golf Course.

Dogs are not allowed in Don Morse Park, Lakeside Park, or other city parks from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Leashed dogs remain welcome year-round at Chelan Riverwalk Park.

New parking regulations are in place. Pay for parking kiosks are available in each parking lot, or by using your mobile phone and a text-to-pay platform. Residents of the City of Chelan and the Chelan Valley can purchase annual parking passes at City Hall.

View the latest information on the new park and parking rules, and on water and sewer projects that may impact traffic, on the city website at cityofchelan.us or by texting “ChelanSummer” to 38276 for real-time alerts.

Chelan County Sheriff’s Marine Patrols will be out on Lake Chelan.

"Be sure to wear your life jackets when you're required to," said Sheriff’s Marine Patrol Deputy Garrett Churchill. "Make sure the little ones are wearing their life jackets - we want to encourage everyone to be safe on the water."

"Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, check your boats and have them inspected before you go out on the water so everyone can enjoy the weekend," added Churchill.

The Chelan County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol Unit was named the state’s Marine Law Enforcement Program of the Year in 2024.

The award from Washington State Parks, which oversees boating safety programs, recognized the work that went into supporting firefighters on the remote Pioneer Fire along the north shore of Lake Chelan.

Marine Deputy Churchill was Marine Law Enforcement Officer of the Year in 2023.

From left, Chelan County Undersheriff Dan Ozment; Sheriff Mike Morrison; Marine Patrol Deputies Garrett Churchill, Nigel Hunter and Alex Bushy; and Chief of Special Operations Ryan Moody at the 2024 Marine Law Enforcement Fall Conference Awards Banquet in Bellingham, Sept. 26, 2024. Photo courtesy: Washington State Parks.

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Feedback given by citizens attending the Monday night community open house “How Lake Chelan Grows” placed land use development and additional housing options at the top of the list of what the city of Chelan and Chelan County should include in their updates to Comprehensive Land Use Plans, according to Chelan Mayor Erin McCardle.