The Town Council on Oct. 21 voted unanimously on first reading to amend Chapter 14 of the town code and create a consolidated set of park rules and regulations intended to improve safety and protect facilities.

Ordinance 12-25 creates new sections (proposed Sections 14-75 through 14-87) that add or clarify prohibitions and enforcement tools for town parks, including vehicle use, open flames, swimming in non-designated ponds, improper use of picnic tables, camping, alcohol and intoxication, fireworks and explosives, posted park hours and noise disturbances. The ordinance passed on a motion and second; the council voted "aye" and the motion carried unanimously.

The nut of the change: Town staff said the last parks code review took place in 1992 and the new rules are intended to give officers clear, enforceable authority over common quality-of-life and safety issues in parks and at beaches. Chief Donato, presenting the ordinance, said the interdepartmental review included police, parks and recreation, code compliance and beach/marine officers who see day-to-day park activity. He said the ordinance aligns some town rules with county park ordinances where appropriate to ease enforcement.

Key provisions described at the hearing: Vehicle use rules would limit bicycles, e-bikes and similar devices to traveled roadways inside park areas to keep them off playing fields and pedestrian walkways. The draft prohibits camping and erecting tents, shelters or recreational vehicles in parks; Chief Donato read Section 14-79 aloud: "No person shall camp or erect or maintain a tent shelter or recreational vehicle." The ordinance prohibits fireworks and explosives in town parks, while noting Florida law allows fireworks on three holidays; town leaders said the change would keep fireworks out of park property. A new noise/sound provision would allow officers to enforce existing town sound ordinances within parks, and a drone/aircraft ban would prohibit taking off or landing on park property (the town said FAA rules prevent regulation of airspace, but landings and takeoffs can be restricted for safety).

Council questions and staff follow-up: Councilors asked staff to clarify two exceptions before second reading: whether tailgate-style shade tents commonly used at sporting events should be permitted despite the camping prohibition, and whether athletic fields with lighting should be exempt from the general sunset-to-sunrise park-hours restriction. Chief Donato said staff would revise language and return the ordinance on second reading with a separate resolution establishing a fine schedule and citation procedure.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a revised ordinance for second reading that addresses tents and lighted athletic field exceptions and will present a proposed fine and fee schedule by resolution to enable citations under the new code.