Staff from Olympic National Park will host a public workshop to discuss the park’s recent decision to close the Sunrise snowplay area near Hurricane Ridge.

The open house workshop is 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, 3002 Mount Angeles Road, Port Angeles.

"The Sunrise area has extremely limited parking along the road shoulder – the lack of parking combined with large numbers of vehicles and pedestrians and typical winter driving conditions create an extremely hazardous situation," said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. The Sunrise snowplay area has been one of two sledding areas near Hurricane Ridge; the small children’s snowplay area just west of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will remain open for use by children 8 and younger.

Park staff will explain the history and hazards of the Sunrise snowplay area and the decision to close the area to tubing and sledding. Public input on possible alternative locations is sought.