SNOQUALMIE, Wash. — Frustration over a park that opened and closed one day later in Snoqualmie has boiled over.
The park was supposed to open in August, then September.
And now, seven months later -- still nothing.
So some residents are going rogue.
It was a nice, sunny day to be outside.
But Jeanne Hansen Community Park is still closed, much to the disdain of Aidan Sinconis.
“I would be doing the playground at the park,” said the 8-year-old boy. “And I'm just really excited for it to open. I just want it to open."
Several signs warn Snoqualmie Ridge residents to keep out.
"A little frustrating," said one resident.
"My 2 1/2 year old says: park, park, park every time we drive by -- and I keep telling him: we can't go in," said resident Krista Wall.
The park -- part of the deal for the city to allow surrounding homes to be built by the developer Pulte Homes -- opened one day in September for the grand opening celebration but closed and has remained closed ever since.
The city says it's not up to code when it comes to things like handicap accessibility.
The park is fenced off but we found some residents are fed up and are going around the fence into the park.
"It does beg the question: why they don't just open it, because people are using it anyway," said Wall.
We saw several parents with their kids in the playground and guys playing football.
We stopped one couple to ask why they went in anyway.
"I think it's an unwritten rule that residents can come at their own discretion," said the woman, who didn’t want to be identified.
The city says liability falls squarely on the developer.
Neighbors say Pulte brought in equipment a week ago to make needed changes to the sidewalk areas.
“We are eagerly awaiting the grand re-re opening of the park," said Wall, laughing.
But for now the park with a killer view of Mount Si is off limits -- at least officially.
Snoqualmie mayor Matt Larson returned our phone call this afternoon.
He says the goal now is for the park to open at the end of March -- as long as Pulte meets city standards.
Larson adds the city is not out money to run the park, since it doesn't own it yet.
The developer -- Pulte Homes -- responded to KIRO 7 on Sunday afternoon:
<em>Hello. We apologize for the construction delays and look forward to deeding this beautiful 16-acre park to the City in April.</em>
<em>As way of background, The Jeanne Hansen Community Park will feature sports fields, tennis court, walking track, soft-surface nature trails, playgrounds, covered picnic area and barbecues, concession area and more. The park has been named in memory of former Snoqualmie mayor Jeanne Hansen, who served from 1988 to 1995. </em>
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