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County adopts updated parks rules, launches park ambassador program and raises penalties
Summary
Lackawanna County adopted updated Parks and Recreation rules to take effect Jan. 2, 2025, adding service‑animal language, vendor permitting and liability requirements, special‑event forms, a park ambassador volunteer program and clarified enforcement and penalties, county officials said.
The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners adopted updated rules and regulations for the Department of Parks and Recreation on Dec. 18, with the changes scheduled to take effect Jan. 2, 2025.
Paul Bechtel, director of Parks and Recreation, told the board the rules were last updated in 2010 and that the revision was completed in coordination with the county legal department. Key additions include explicit language on service animals, clarified vendor requirements (food trucks must obtain any required permits from the city of Scranton or the borough of Taylor and provide a copy of liability insurance to the county), and a special‑event application to help the county better manage pavilion and facility use.
Bechtel said the department will publish a location‑agreement form for certain activities — such as commercial filming and university research in the parks — and that the rules include hold‑harmless and liability provisions reviewed with legal counsel.
The update creates a park ambassador program the department has already publicized; Bechtel said about five or six residents have contacted the department to volunteer. The program aims to recruit roughly three to five volunteers to represent each of the county’s four parks and meet regularly with park staff to identify needs and improvements.
The rules package also adds clearer enforcement and penalty language and, according to Bechtel and county counsel, the DA’s office reviewed and approved the penalty provisions. Commissioners said they expect the changes to give the Sheriff’s Department better opportunities to patrol and enforce park rules and to encourage community involvement in park stewardship.
The board approved the resolution to adopt the updated rules by voice vote. Commissioners praised the park ambassador idea as a way to increase resident oversight and engagement at county parks.
