Kittanning Borough hopes to free prime parking spots at Riverfront Park's public docks by making them off-limits next boating season from midnight until dawn.
At events like the upcoming Fort Armstrong Folk Festival, Kittanning Police Chief Bruce Mathews has seen boaters tie up a few days early to seize prime dock territory along the Allegheny River. Kittanning has two 200-foot docks below John P. Murtha Amphitheater.
When the Clarks performed at the amphitheater a year ago, the problem became evident to Mathews.
“They were tied up on Monday, and all week, people were calling,” Mathews said.
The borough prohibits 24-hour mooring, but the law is hard to enforce because boaters can leave the dock and come back, or move to another spot to avoid being in violation. The law being considered would make it illegal to be docked overnight.
“With the boats tying up all the time, others aren't able to use it,” Mathews said.
“It's such a small dock. We get people that use it for a personal dock and others can't get in or out.”
The ordinance may go into effect as soon as October, according to Council President Randy Cloak.
The overnight docking restriction is long overdue, according to Gerald Shuster, a boater and former president of Kittanning council.
Pittsburgh, he pointed out, is considering similar regulations at the North Shore for special events.
“It's time for Kittanning to do that,” he said. “It makes it fair for the boater.”
Julie E. Martin is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-543-1303, ext. 1315, or jmartin@tribweb.com.
