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. Staff told commissioners the city is keeping a daily cap on the number of entertainment features at each park and designated locations within parks to avoid overcrowding near picnic areas.

Key details and limits - Permit and insurance: Vendors must provide insurance; the city—s risk manager evaluates required coverage on a case-by-case basis. The existing jumper/"bouncer" application fee remains $25. - Site limits: The policy sets a maximum number of entertainment features per park per day (examples given: Verdugo Park capped at two features on a single day; each picnic reservation may have up to one feature). Staff said limits were set based on safe space adjacent to picnic shelters rather than total park acreage. - Time and reservation rules: Picnic reservations have a five-hour minimum; renters may remain beyond paid time but the city issues only one reservation per picnic area per day to avoid conflicts. - Turf and maintenance: Staff said turf damage is a possible outcome of certain activities, especially water slides; maintenance will monitor impacts and the department may return with revisions if damage is significant. - Safety and claims: Staff reported one private-party claim in the past related to a bouncer; the city said it handles claims through the legal and claims departments and relies on vendor insurance. - No expected revenue increase: Golia said the change is not expected to materially increase revenue because the city already issues jumper permits for a $25 administrative fee and the expansion mostly accommodates additional types of equipment rather than adding new fees.

Parks listed as eligible for permitted entertainment features (with designated locations): Brand Park, Casa Adobe, Central Park, Cerritos, Dunsmore, Emerald Isle, Fremont, Glen Oaks, Glorietta, Griffith Manor, Maple Park, Pacific Park, Palmer, Shoal Canyon picnic areas, Verdugo Park and Babe Herman picnic areas. Staff said smaller or constrained sites such as Verdugo Adobe were excluded because they lack sufficiently large, flat, picnic-adjacent areas that keep activity visible and contained.

Commission discussion and next steps Commissioners asked about past safety incidents, how limits are calculated and whether activities such as laser tag would require director approval; staff said activities not explicitly listed would be considered under the director-approval pathway and reviewed by the risk manager. Commissioners also noted the potential to increase park activation through new activities while urging close monitoring of turf impacts and clarity about permitted locations.

Votes and related procedural action A motion to approve the revised entertainment feature policy carried on roll call with commissioners Kalfayan and Wilson voting yes and the commission president voting yes; one commissioner was absent. The transcript does not specify the mover or seconder by name. The commission also considered a consent-item motion to approve minutes from the Jan. 27 special meeting but did not take a final vote on that item after legal staff advised the commission it did not have enough members present to validly pass the minutes; the item was left for later action.

The commission will monitor implementation and said staff may return with policy revisions if turf damage or other issues arise. The next Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission meeting is scheduled for March 17, 2025.