Workshop Item Jerome Krieger, Senior Recreation Manager
Title
Title
Establishment of Additional Park Use Regulations
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Background
Staff has been discussing the need for possible additions of park use regulations around other activities currently not covered by City Code, such as golfing. Examples of additional regulations could include:
- Golfing - No person shall play or practice golf on any public park or open space except in the areas specifically designated for such use. (exception Deacons Park putting green)
- Camping - No person shall establish or maintain any camp or other temporary lodging or sleeping place in any public park or open space (exception Blaine Festival). Language could be included that referenced a specific period of time.
- Fires - No person shall start or maintain a fire in any public park or open space except small recreational fires in grills provided for that purpose in areas specifically designated for such use. Private grills may be used in designated areas provided that all ashes and residue there from be disposed of in containers provided for such disposal.
- Waste and Litter - No person shall deposit, scatter, drop or abandon in any public site or open space any paper, bottles, cans, sewage, waste trash, grass clippings, tree branches or other debris except in receptacles provided by the department for such purposes. No person shall deposit in any receptacle in any public site or open space any accumulation of waste, grass clippings, tree branches, or trash generated outside the boundaries of the site.
As part of this review staff is also suggesting a City Code amendment that would allow the opportunity for enforcement of some activities when necessary as well as empower staff to close a park in an emergency:
Sec. 54-76. Establishment of Additional Park Use Regulations.
The City Council authorizes the Park Board to consider and recommend additional park use regulations as necessary. Upon recommendation from the Park Board, the City Council may adopt and establish additional park use regulations by resolution, or as deemed necessary by the city manager or their designee. Upon adoption by the City Council, the park use regulations shall be published on the City website and posted with appropriate signage at the applicable City parks. Park use regulations recommended by the Park Board and adopted by the City Council remain in effect unless repealed by resolution of the City Council. Any violation of a park use regulation adopted pursuant to this Section is subject to penalty pursuant to Section 54-96 of this Chapter.
In addition, language could be added that would allow for the issuance of citations when deemed necessary, similar to the City of Anoka:
No law enforcement officer shall issue a citation, make an arrest or otherwise enforce this article against any person unless:
(1) The officer first orally requests or orders the person to refrain from the alleged violation of this article, and informs the person that if they fail to comply, the person may be cited or arrested for a violation of this article; and
(2) If, following the oral request or order required under subsection (1) of this section, the person refuses to cooperate, the officer may proceed to cite or arrest the person for a violation of this article.
Staff Recommendation
Council is asked to provide input on proposed language amendments and if direction is received to make the amendments staff will bring to the Park Board for formal consideration and future adoption by City Council.
Attachment List
City of Woodbury City Code - Parks and Recreation Rules on Golf, Camping, Fires and Litter.