Chelan resident urges action on bridge jumping dangers

CHELAN — A Chelan resident is urging city officials to take stronger action to address what she described as increasingly dangerous behavior on the Woodin Avenue Bridge, including teens climbing light poles and jumping into Lake Chelan.

Speaking during the public comment period at the July 8 Chelan City Council meeting, Linda Sydloski shared her concerns based on nearly daily observations following her routine swims in the lake.

“I watched them climb up the light pole on the bridge, and hang onto the light,” Sydloski told the council.

She described a vivid and disturbing scenario she feared could unfold: “Break the light, cut yourself, get electrocuted, and then fall into the water and get run over by a boat. The craziness of what’s going on that bridge; kids jumping, and all of that.”

Sydloski referenced a 2005 Memorial Day weekend accident at Don Morse Park in which a young man suffered a life-altering injury during a diving incident.

“It changed his life forever,” she said. “That’s the saddest part.”

Sydloski also cited the subsequent lawsuit filed against the city and the Chelan County Public Utility District, as well as the costs incurred to redesign the beach at the park.

“Without any kind of consequence, or enforcing what’s going on there (bridge), we are going to end up in the same thing,” she said. “I really think it’s about time we do something about what’s going on over there.”

Chelan City Administrator Wade Farris acknowledged that bridge jumping remains a persistent issue despite efforts to discourage it. He noted that the activity is often seen by local youth as a “rite of passage,” even though it is clearly prohibited under city law.

Farris referenced Chelan Code of Ordinances Section 8.32.165, which prohibits diving or jumping from bridges into the Chelan River or Lake Chelan. The ordinance also makes it unlawful for a parent to knowingly allow a minor to engage in such activity.

Violators can face penalties of up to $500.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media