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Mayor urges bigger park signage and dedicated enforcement; staff outlines options and coordination with police
Summary
Mayor David Distal urged larger, clearer rules signage and proposed a park warden role to enforce closures and field protection; staff described temporary overtime patrols, coordination with police, ordinance review and plans for updated signs and QR-code links to park rules.
Mayor David Distal told the Parks and Recreation Board on May 8 that larger, clearer signage and a visible enforcement presence are needed to protect fields and public safety, citing concerns about e-bikes and a recent serious crash involving a child.
"I would urge this board and the staff to consider the addition of significantly larger signage at our major parks, which specifically gives the rules for the use of the parks," Distal said, and he urged the creation of a park warden-type position to oversee closures, fairness of enforcement and field upkeep.
Staff response and interim enforcement: Operations manager Matt Furr described short-term measures the department has used, including an overtime rotation for staff to patrol parks evenings and weekends. "For the last 2 weeks ... everybody signed up, and we have people out there right now," Matt said, explaining the limits of one-person patrols and the department's reliance on dispatch and police for enforcement. He said staff used the public-address system successfully on some nights and that signs are posted to show closures.
Coordination with police and ordinances: Dan Baker said staff will meet with the police department to develop cooperative enforcement approaches. Baker said parks staff do not carry ticket books or badges and that police response has been the primary enforcement tool: "We don't have any weight on force in the parks department. We don't carry ticket books. We don't carry badges ... so it's the only way we can enforce it."
Signage options: Staff said they recently completed a redesign of many park signs to match the town's branding and are considering larger, standalone signs for high-priority rules (for example, e-bike restrictions). Baker said the department is evaluating a mix of posted rules and QR codes that link to a fuller set of ordinances and regulations online, which would reduce the need for billboard-sized signs while still providing enforceable notices.
Why it matters: Board members and the mayor framed the issue as protecting fields from damage, improving public safety (Mayor Distal cited e-bike crashes), and ensuring fair access for residents and organized user groups. Staff said fencing and attendant programs have limited efficacy and that a long-term solution will require resources and council direction.
Ending: The board asked staff to continue work with the police department, to review park ordinances for enforcement gaps, and to return with a signage proposal and options for a paid park-attendant or ranger model.
