No booze at Barton, Carver parks

County looks at banning alcohol in the popular rafting spots

By Matthew Graham

The Clackamas Review, Dec 30, 2009, Updated Dec 30, 2009 (5 Reader comments)

submitted photo Clackamas County Sheriff's Office / Clackamas Review

Riots erupted with thousands of floaters on the Clackamas River in 2007.

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Three years ago it was riots at Barton and Carver parks on the Clackamas River as thousands flocked there in the heat of summer to float down the river, many while drinking.

Last year the county tried to curb such behavior with an increased volunteer presence; it helped, but not absolutely. This summer a mob turned on a lone policeman who was trying to break up a fight. One intoxicated man head butted the deputy, forcing him to use his taser and call in backup.

This summer’s potential solution: an alcohol ban, higher entrance fees and more officers.

The county in October began looking at how to fund an extra $120,000 for sheriff’s patrols and $25,000 for ecOzone staff, who help patrol the area, as well $20,000 for two park ticket dispensers, to help enforce a likely alcohol ban this summer.

The county is considering raising the entrance fee from $3 per vehicle to $8. An initial proposal would have seen rates go up to $10 per vehicle, but the parks advisory board and the county commission thought that was too much.

The Parks Advisory board wanted rates to mimic rises in state park increases, which the county said were going from $3 to $5. But Undersheriff Matt Ellington told them they need to find a way to fund the extra patrols.

“(It) really puts a burden on patrol staff,” he said of the conditions at the park on hot summer days. “The one deputy you were paying for wasn’t adequate coverage for you, so you do need more.”

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