Happy New Year! North County Recreation District is pleased to welcome so many people to our fitness and aquatics programs in 2025. The popularity of some of our classes have created parking challenges on particular days, especially in the mornings. “We’re thrilled that NCRD’s programs are so popular, but we understand the frustration when you aren’t able to find a parking space,” said NCRD Executive Director Barbara McCann. “We are working on a parking inventory and plan so we can be proactive to address the issue as we go forward.”
In addition to the NCRD aquatics center construction, the City of Nehalem has 8th Street closed and restricted for the construction of sidewalks on the east side of the street. The City of Nehalem obtained a grant through the ODOT Small City Allotment (SCA) program. This 8th street project is creating a safer route for pedestrians and the kids coming from Nehalem Grade School to NCRD for swimming lessons, sports etc. According to city manager Lori Longfellow, “We are hoping to have it finalized by April, but as you can tell with school being in progress and weather, the contractors are working on it as the schedule allows.”
A reminder that NCRD is still an active construction zone – no parking in the lower lot by the new aquatics center, and obey all NO PARKING signage. Please bring your patience with you when parking at NCRD and be respectful of the neighbors by not blocking driveways or entrances. If you can carpool to classes or events, please do so to lessen the impacts. Do not utilize the City rights-of-way as parking spaces, especially on the east side of 9th Street. There are cones and signage, please do not remove the cones/signage, and obey the restrictions. The city has indicated that if problems continue “no parking” signs and enforcement will have to be instituted.
“We are here to serve our community and want everyone to have a good experience, and we acknowledge that parking is going to continue to be an issue,” continued McCann. “But if patrons are aware and prepared, carpool, or can adjust their schedules to visit at less busy times we certainly would appreciate it.”
For more information about NCRD, go to www.ncrd.org.