Parks officials cite vandalism, expand sunscreen placement and detail ranger, security steps to keep parks safe

The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department told the Parks Board an ongoing vandalism problem has prompted the department to place sunscreen dispensers at staffed visitor centers and to continue a multi-pronged approach to park safety.

Director Cynthia Aguilar said repeated vandalism to dispensers at splash pads has been "at a very high rate," and that the department’s agreement with Impact Melanoma will place dispensers at South Mountain and North Mountain visitor centers where staff presence increases visibility. Aguilar added that formal sun-safety classes are not part of the current agreement but that the department can work with Impact Melanoma if the group wishes to offer classes.

The update given May (presentation began during item 3A) centered on enforcement through park rangers, expanded trespass authority, 24/7 urban ranger coverage and privately contracted overnight security. "The park rangers enforce our code of conduct," Deputy Director Jared Rogers said. "Rangers lead with education and most of our interactions ... are positive interactions." Assistant Director Marty Whitfield described the overnight security program, noting the city’s contractor, Wyndham Security, uses body cameras and makes multiple daily patrols at a dozen parks selected for higher incidents of code violations.

Why it matters: Phoenix governs one of the nation’s largest municipal park systems and officials said scale creates both benefits and safety challenges. The department said more visible staffing, targeted security and technology have reduced some recurring problems and provide better records for follow-up enforcement and service referrals.

Key details - Urban rangers: The department reported 44 park rangers assigned to the urban program as of 2024 and said a third overnight shift launched in September 2023 to provide 24/7 coverage in urban parks. - Trespass and citations: Staff reported about 2,500 trespass actions logged into the department database to identify repeat offenders and escalate enforcement when appropriate. Staff said code-violation tickets average "about one a day" (roughly seven a week). Rangers most frequently cite off-leash dogs, loitering/after-hours use and drug paraphernalia. - Overnight security: Wyndham Security has provided overnight roving coverage at 12 parks since February 2023. Through April, staff said Wyndham made more than 16,800 contacts; Phoenix Police assisted on 139 occasions, Phoenix Fire assisted on 27 occasions, and park rangers assisted on 151 occasions. - Cameras and data: The department installed temporary solar-powered mobile camera units at Cortez, La Credera, Cesar Chavez and Perry parks with 24-hour recording and 15-day storage. Staff said one camera deployment helped Phoenix Police during an investigation of a shooting at a park. The department also piloted a code-of-conduct answering service that, to date, generated about 836 calls the department would not have otherwise known about; staff plan to issue a new RFP to expand diagnostic tools and formal ticketing of reports. - Enforcement area clarified: Working with the city law department, rangers confirmed authority to enforce park rules on areas maintained by Parks Department immediately adjacent to park property, and the department is posting signs where fences exist to clarify rules extend to the street.

Discussion and next steps Board members pressed staff for examples of common calls and how rangers connect people to services. Jared Rogers and Marty Whitfield said rangers routinely connect people to the Office of Homeless Solutions and other partners when needs are identified and that the code of conduct includes an appeal process for trespass orders. Whitfield said naloxone is optional under a citywide policy and that many rangers choose to carry it.

The board approved the consent agenda including the item related to sunscreen dispensers; staff indicated the department will continue the program within existing constraints and focus dispensers at visitor centers to limit vandalism.

Sources and attribution: Quotes and factual attributions come from Director Cynthia Aguilar, Deputy Director Jared Rogers and Assistant Director Marty Whitfield during the Parks Board presentation and from a public commenter (Julia Tagger) who raised the initial question about sunscreen dispensers during the consent-item public comment period.

Ending: Staff told the board the department will continue targeted staffing, partner referrals and technology deployments while the department issues an RFP to improve the answering-service data and tracking for future reports.