It's one of Ketchum's most oxymoronic idiosyncrasies, and the new YMCA at the corner of Saddle and Warm Springs roads is no exception for attracting this quirk.
In a town full of hyperactive, outdoorsy personalities, people find it irresistible to park their cars mere steps from the places they're going, even if the destination is a gym where motorists may spend an hour walking on a treadmill or swimming laps.
"It's like a magnet," said Ketchum City Councilman Ron Parsons. "The closest piece of asphalt or dirt to the YMCA is where they want to park. It's just an educational issue with the YMCA members."
The Ketchum City Council on Monday spent an hour or so puzzling over methods the city might use to encourage people going to the YMCA to use the sizeable parking lot to the facility's north. People have been parking along both sides of Warm Springs Road, as well as in bus turnouts.
"I understand the YMCA is a sacred cow, but we've got to get over it," said Councilwoman Terry Tracy. "These are safety issues. I would extend the no-parking zones on both sides of Warm Springs Road. I just don't think there's any need for it."
The significance of the issue is compounded because the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood, across Saddle Road from the Y, has a child daycare. Moreover, Rotary Park, across Warm Springs Road, receives 50 to 80 reservations for events annually, and parking is needed there as well.
"The Rotary Park parking lot is now full all day long," city arborist Jen Smith said. "And that's going to be an issue when we have events and park users there."
"They're going to have to learn how to co-exist," Mayor Randy Hall responded. "That's just how it is, but I think the emphasis ought to be placed on having the Y members park in the Y lot."
Also, the Guy Coles Skate Park is at the intersection, and all the properties are crossed by popular bike paths.
Ketchum Police Sgt. Dave Kassner recommended extending a 20-miles-per-hour zone from Thomas Plumbing to the top of the hill on the west side of the Big Wood River along Warm Springs Road. Also, Kassner suggested installation of digital-display signs that inform travelers how fast they're going.
Hall said the YMCA will issue an educational article about parking in its next newsletter.
There is ample parking for the new Wood River Community YMCA to the north of the new facility, but cars have been clogging portions of Warm Springs Road in front of the facility. Changes, including new speed limits, could be in store for the area. Photo by Willy Cook
