Improper use of North Beach Park has the city and some neighbors upset as they complain about illegal trails put in by homeowners and other abuses to the natural area.

City officials say neighbors have been tossing yard waste, dumping storm drain water, encroaching on the park's boundaries with their private structures, walking dogs off leash and unauthorized trails have been cut into the steep hillsides.

"Increasingly this piece of property is not being used properly," said Royal Alley-Barnes, the manager for the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation's north region parks resources.

The park is a hooded ravine, located between 28th and 30th Avenues Northwest and Northwest 90th and 92nd Streets. Ten great blue heron nests are found in the 9.6-acre park.

The city sent out letters to homeowners bordering the park last month. The letter clearly stated the "trail building must stop."

Over 30 North Beach residents attended a public meeting on May 14 to listen to the city's presentation. Most of the residents had their own concerns about the park.

The meeting was called because the city has received 68 letters of complaint. Residents took their turn, talking about the problems in North Beach Park.

In 1985, one homeowner cut down some trees and the city did no enforcement, said one man.

Another resident said he picks up bottles in the park and signs declaring the park a "sensitive area" have been defaced or torn down. The signs have not been replaced by the city.

In the summer, bicyclists ride through the park and use homeowners' property to exit it.

Lack of maintenance by the city is another issue.

"You get the sense it is a neglected place," said another man who would like to see the ivy eradicated.

A woman who lives next to the park has seen a homeless person set up camp with card board, tent and clothing strewn about. The camp was much too close for comfort.

Sgt. Dianne Newsom of the Seattle Police North Precinct Community Police Team said it is illegal to camp in a city park. Social workers are sent to speak to the homeless. If their belongings are found, the city now saves them for 60 days for people to claim.

"We are actively removing encampments around the city," said Alley-Barnes.

During the meeting Alley-Barnes told those in attendance not to mention the names of any neighbors breaking the law. She asked people to e-mail those names to her instead.

One resident said two families are known to be "knocking down" vegetation in North Beach Park.

Alley-Barnes said she and Whiteford would be visiting with the offenders to discuss their illegal activities.

The city can fine homeowners $1,000 per incident if they have sufficient proof of an infraction.

"The only way to change bad behavior is to use peer pressure. Some letters went out to chronic illegal users," said Alley-Barnes.

"We are getting everything you say on an action list. We've had many citizens complaining and we have failed to act. This is a starting point for us. E-mail me the histories of what people have gone through," said Alley-Barnes.

Encroachment is the biggest threat said one man.

"There's big damage by people living nearby, long term economic damage by affluent people in the area," he said.

Chukundi Salisbury, the city's trails coordinator said there has been pretty extensive damage to the park's system and it will take an extensive project to restore it to the way it was. He handed out a map showing where the city has put in two trails. Nineteen trails outlined in red, green and blue ink are illegal trails.

The cost of restoration in the park would be $60,000.

Salisbury urged people to form a "Friends of North Beach Park" group.

"Form a group. In other places groups have come together to form a plan," Salisbury said. He told people to call 911 if they see anyone working on an illegal trail.

One person at the meeting said they have called the police and the police have said it's a parks department problem.

"We are talking about that beautiful park and what you can do to protect it," said Whiteford.

A follow-up meeting will be scheduled some time in June. Alley-Barnes can be reached at royal.alley-barnes@seattle.gov.

Dean Wong may be contacted at 783.1244 or deanw@robinsonnews.com