The Spanaway Park boat launch was closed Monday May 6. It was a decision of the Parks Department, not the Pierce County Sheriff. There were signs at both entrances and in two places with red cones blocking access to the boathouse. “Boat Launch Area is closed due to drowning.”

Although many people went about their business playing at the park, at least one person, the boat vendor, Bud, was disappointed. He said that people who lived on the lake could launch their boats, but people who come to the park cannot. On such a beautiful day, he should be having a good business going. There aren’t that many beautiful days in a year for him to make money, but the parks department decided otherwise. They blocked all access to the parking lot by the boathouse. Pedestrians, however, could still enter the area.

The man who drowned is still missing. The Sheriff’s divers are still looking on the west side of the lake closer to Creso Road. The name still has not been released, although some already know. Word travels quickly in a small town.

One more note, the parks department has decided to start charging entrance fees May 18 instead of waiting for Memorial Day. The information is posted on the booths at the entrance to the park. You can also find information on the fees on the Pierce County Parks website.