You got fireworks? We got the place!

Kitsap County fire chiefs and the parks and recreation department want to make Silverdale Waterfront Park into fireworks central.

Fire, county and law enforcement agencies are working to designate the Old Town Silverdale park as a place to set off “Safe and Sane” fireworks on July 4th.

According to Kitsap County Fire Marshal Derrick Crawley, there were 472 complaints received on July 4, 2002.

“We’ve found a primary source of complaints result from people illegally discharging fireworks in residential areas disturbing pets and neighbors,” Crawley said. “We hope to discourage this practice by providing a location for people to discharge legal fireworks safely.”

Kitsap County Facilities, Parks and Recreation Director, Cris Gears, is working with fire and law enforcement officials to designate the Silverdale’s Waterfront Park as a fireworks discharge area for July 4, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

“Parks are always a mess afterwards,” said Beverly Reeves, operations maintenance superintendent for Kitsap Parks and recreation.

Crews of volunteers collect “bags and bags” of debris at all county parks the day after. They practically comb the parks for sparkler stems and other items that can be dangerous when mowed.

Waterfront Park is being discussed as the first site because it is centrally located, near the water and has its own irrigation system park officials said.

Some details still need deciding such as whether the looming holiday is coming up too fast and what activities are already on the park’s schedule, Reeves said.

If this program is successful, additional sites could be added next year.

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