By Richard Uhlhorn
On Thursday, January 15, the Chelan Parks Department nominated and appointed Linda Reister as its next president. Todd Higley was nominated and appointed Vice President. Their term in office is two years. New members include Brad Nelson and Matt Engstrom along with Janet Heg.
Interim Director Audrey Cooper will serve as the board’s secretary. All meetings of the board are open to the public.
Old Business:
Ball Fields – It was decided at the November meeting (no meeting in December) that the ballfield rental rates would be removed until the city staff can craft a policy to present to the City Council. The new rates would include a mechanism to grant fee waivers to qualifying groups. Linda Reister has suggested that the Gorge Park ballfields be
Golf Course – Golf Pro Jim Oscarson presented a report on the successful 2026 golf season which had 29,000 rounds, the most golf rounds in its history.
Financially, 2% lodging funds will be used to support the golf course’s operations. There will also be a consultant study to provide recommendations for a long term sustainable financial future at the course.
New business – Thursday, January 15
Chairman Linda Reister brought up the issue of having someone from the Golf Course attend each Park Board meeting. Outgoing president Shane Collings remarked that Jim Oscarson could offer important and insightful information about the course’s operation.
City Administrator Linda McAloon stated that she would have concerns with requiring an employee to be forced to attend meetings. Reister replied that it would be nice to have a quarterly report on current golf course operations. McAloon suggested that a monthly report during the golf season would be appropriate.
Park board member Janet Heg suggested that communication from both the public on parks operations and the golf course would be helpful. Todd Higley replied that he understood where she was coming from based on past issues at Lakeside Park.
Director’s comments:
Cooper that the department is in receipt of a new $12,000 Operations and Maintenance grant to help maintain its vessel sewage collection system. In addition, she remarked that the department was looking at the on-going challenges of sailboat storage and mooring.
Cooper also reported that residents of the City of Chelan and the Chelan Valley can purchase annual parking passes, providing access to parking at Don Morse Park, Lakeshore Marina (vehicle only), and Lakeside Park.
Annual passes can be purchased online using the links below or at the Chelan Parks Office at Don Morse Park, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Limit 2 passes per household. These passes are non-transferable between vehicles.
City of Chelan Resident Permit: $25
Primary residence within Chelan city limits
Chelan Valley Resident Permit: $45
- 98816 (Chelan & Holden Village)
- 98817 (Chelan Falls)
- 98831 (Manson)
- 98852 (Stehekin)
Other relevant parks news:
- New golf carts are coming prior to the opening day of the golf course.
- There will be a long-range analysis of the golf course operations this year to try and determine a long-range sustainability program. “We are narrowing (consultant) applications down and the consultant selection will take place in February.”
- Cooper announced that BBQ grills have been ordered for placement in both Lakeside and Don Morse Parks
- After last year’s expensive irrigation pump failure the department has secured a backup pump in case of another pump failure at the golf course.
Park Board meetings are held every third Thursday at the Parks office beginning at 5:15.
All Things Lake Chelan 