About this Location

Facility Overview

Safe Park 2 is a dedicated open-air surface parking area situated at 3420 US-97 ALT in the Sunnyslope area of north Wenatchee, Washington. Originally established through a regional municipal initiative involving the City of Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, and the Wenatchee Rescue Mission, the facility was designed to provide a secure, organized parking location off the primary highway corridor. The open-air layout features a ground-level gravel and asphalt design without overhead roofs, decks, or low-clearance garages, making it readily accessible for standard passenger sedans, pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, high-roof cargo vans, and authorized campers or recreational vehicles (RVs).

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Positioned just north of the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers, this site offers immediate proximity to several iconic natural attractions, agricultural stops, and regional landmarks:

Ohme Gardens County Park: Located less than 1 mile up the bluff (a 3-minute drive), this renowned 9-acre alpine garden offers sweeping panoramic views of the Wenatchee Valley and Columbia River.
Stemilt Retail Store: Located approximately 0.5 miles north on US-97 ALT, featuring world-famous Washington apples, cherries, fresh local cider, and regional artisan foods.
Wenatchee Confluence State Park: Situated approximately 1.5 miles south, offering riverfront access, wetlands viewing, pedestrian trails, and boat launches.
Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail: Accessible nearby along the riverbank, providing a scenic paved trail network connecting north Wenatchee to downtown and East Wenatchee.
Town Toyota Center: Approximately 3.5 miles south (an 8-minute drive), hosting major concerts, community expos, and Wenatchee Wild hockey games.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Safe Park 2 features straightforward vehicular ingress and egress directly from US-97 Alternate (US-97 ALT / Highway 97A), a key north-south arterial running parallel to the Columbia River. The highway connects effortlessly to US Highway 2 just south of the site, allowing seamless travel west toward Leavenworth and Stevens Pass, or east across the Richard Odabashian Bridge into East Wenatchee and Douglas County. Regional public transportation is served by Link Transit, which runs regional bus routes connecting the Sunnyslope hub with downtown Wenatchee's Columbia Station transit center.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Headroom: Fully uncovered lot layout eliminating vertical clearance concerns for high-profile vehicles, roof racks, camper vans, and RVs.
Perimeter Fencing & Lighting: Bounded layout equipped with exterior illumination designed for basic site visibility and overnight security.
Managed Access: Coordinated community facility framework historically overseen by municipal outreach and regional social services.
Direct Arterial Connection: Immediate curb-cut entry right along US-97 ALT ensures simple routing without navigating cramped residential side streets.

Ideal For

Authorized Transitional Program Participants: Program-registered individuals requiring secure, designated vehicle accommodations coordinated with local service liaisons.
Recreational Visitors Exploring North Wenatchee: Motorists visiting scenic spots near Sunnyslope and Ohme Gardens seeking staging information along the Highway 97A corridor.
Oversized Vehicle Drivers: Travelers navigating the greater Chelan County corridor in high-profile utility vehicles, vans, or trucks who require unobstructed vertical clearance.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Drivers navigating to 3420 US-97 ALT should monitor traffic speeds carefully, as Highway 97A carries high-speed commuter and freight traffic traveling between Wenatchee, Entiat, and Chelan. Slow down and use turn indicators well ahead of the turnoff to ensure smooth deceleration. Please note that this facility operates under specialized civic and program agreements rather than standard commercial public parking meters; prospective parkers should verify operational status and eligibility with the Wenatchee Rescue Mission or municipal coordinators before planning an overnight stay.