Parks officials weigh conduct code for drones, paragliders

South Whidbey park commissioners are considering code of conduct changes to address some unexpected activity.

“We have paraglider launches from our sports complex,” South Whidbey Parks and Recreation Director Doug Coutts told commissioners at a meeting Wednesday night.

Coutts proposed adding policies to limit paragliders and other flying apparatus to designated times and places.

He said there have also been people flying RC airplanes and drones, which isn’t addressed in current regulations.

Coutts didn’t suggest when and where the designated flying areas would be, but that it would be at the discretion of the director.

Tom Fallon, facility and grounds supervisor, said it recently came to his attention that some people were using powerful model aircraft in areas with low visibility and that it could possibly be creating dangerous situations for other park users.

Commissioners didn’t make a decision on the policies and will likely discuss them again at the next meeting Oct. 16.

The board will also consider prohibiting the use of electric bicycles and motorized skateboards in parks.