Glendale panel expands park rules to allow more inflatable attractions, with limits and insurance requirements

Glendale——s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission on Feb. 24 approved a revised entertainment feature policy (previously titled the "party inflatables" policy) that expands the types of inflatables and interactive attractions allowed at designated picnic and special-event locations across the city's parks.

The change, presented by Gabrielle Golia, Community Services Manager, allows a broader set of features——including dry inflatable slides, inflatable combos, obstacle courses, Nerf/gel/foam/archery activities, bubble ball, ball pits (maximum 13 by 13 feet), certain interactive games and, with director approval, water features, amusement rides (such as small bumper cars or ride-on mechanical animals), climbing walls and petting zoos. The policy still prohibits zip lines, single-use water balloons and zorbing. Golia said, "All of these would be with the director approval and with the proper insurance, of course."

Why it matters: the change expands options for park renters and community events but places more responsibility on staff to evaluate public-safety risk, insurance adequacy and potential turf damage.…