Litter from sexual activity is unpleasantly evident in High Bridge and People's parks, reflecting years of lewd conduct in the open air, police and park officials say.
Discarded underwear, lubrication packets and condoms are regularly found in the bushes, and Officer Jennifer DeRuwe says police have received a growing number of complaints.
"It's just kind of one of those knowns in Spokane," DeRuwe said.
"We've been aware of it for a number of years," said Mike Stone, city parks and recreation director.
Ruby La Fleur, 62, a longtime resident near High Bridge, located at the confluence of the Spokane River and Latah Creek, is offended nonetheless.
"I have grandkids up here," La Fleur said. "I don't want them walking through the bushes, saying 'Grandma Ruby, what's that toilet paper? What are those rubber gloves for? What are those pictures?'"
In the past five years police have gotten 27 calls involving lewd conduct and 30 about suspicious people in vehicles, police Cpl. Tom Lee said. Such calls led to six arrests for lewd conduct in June.
A 22-year-old park worker who asked not to be named out of fear for his safety and his $11-an-hour position said that in two months on the job, he has been propositioned, has seen evidence of public sexual activity and now warns unwary visitors attracted by a new disc golf course and a new bicycle trail link.
"I tell them, 'Don't let your kids go in there,'" he said.
Supervisors have advised the worker to wear clothing identifying him as a parks employee, said Tony Madunich, assistant parks and recreation manager.
Julie Graham, spokeswoman for the Spokane Regional Health District, said the problem has not posed any special public health concerns.
"It's something that we're aware of, but it's not a new situation," Graham said. "Risky behavior is risky behavior. It happens."
City Council member Bob Apple said police are stretched thin.
"I would rather they show up to the burglary or the probable theft than to an instance of consensual sex in a public place," Apple said. "I, like most people, find it disgusting _ but what do you do?"
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Information from: The Spokesman-Review, http://www.spokesmanreview.com
