Parks commission recommends shortening standard park hours to 10 p.m. to address after-hours vandalism and nuisance activity

Parks and Public Facilities Director Chris Waite told the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 9 that staff recommends revising the Richland Municipal Code park-hours language to close city parks at 10 p.m. (currently 11 p.m.), citing recurring after-hours vandalism and nuisance activity at some parks and parking areas.

Waite said the code already allows for exceptions by permit for special events, for fishing and for boat launching; it also includes an explicit exception for trail users and commuters. He described the 10 p.m. closing time as a compromise that preserves evening use while providing law enforcement an additional enforcement window to address late-night problems.

At the workshop earlier in the month, commissioners discussed a range of options including moving hours to 9 p.m.; during July 9 debate several commissioners supported 10 p.m. as a middle ground, while keeping permit and trail exceptions intact.

Commissioner Christ asked whether changing posted hours will deter people who already congregate after hours for activities such as street racing; Waite said the change is one tool among others (staff also discussed possible security cameras and other enforcement tools) and acknowledged that signs alone will not stop all undesirable behavior.

Action: Commissioner Huatro moved that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend City Council change standard park hours from 5 a.m.–11 p.m. to 5 a.m.–10 p.m.; Commissioner Jones seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote (ayes). Waite said staff will follow up with the City Attorney to prepare ordinance language, bring the ordinance for two readings at City Council, and prepare signage; earliest council action is likely in August with implementation more likely in September or the fall due to signage and ordinance steps.

Why it matters: Staff said the one-hour change gives law enforcement an additional opportunity to engage with people in parks during a window when vandalism and nuisance behavior most often occur, while preserving permitted uses and trail commuter access.

Next steps: Staff will prepare ordinance language with the City Attorney, schedule council readings and plan sign replacement; staff will provide commissioners with cost estimates for new signage upon request.