From recent local news, one might get the impression that our city is plagued with freeloaders who really like to hang out for a long time in places without paying. Hoping to “encourage turnover” among visitors to the Ballard Locks, the city will start charging for parking on the 13th of June. Those who show up for a (three-hour maximum) day of picnicking, boat watching, and fish ladder spectation will now be required to shell out $4.50 for the ability to arrive by car. [seattletimes]

However, the Burke-Gillman trail was recently extended; so people who want to make a longer day of it can bike to the park and linger in the gardens, be soothed by the rising and fallling water as boaters make their way to and from the Sound, or watch the salmon carrying out their biological imperitive in the cool, dark ladder observation chamber to their hearts content. Once again, it’s hard to tell whether the increased fees are meant to increase profits or to keep Seattle on the list of healthiest cities.

related: Quicktime panoramas of the Chittenden Locks and Gardens [vrseattle]

Army Corps of Engineers Lake Washington Ship Canal Site [army]