Wythe County board advises removing 'firearms' from parks webpage language after discussion

County staff reported that a parks and recreation web page contained a line—originally placed on the older website in 2010—that listed prohibited items in parks and included the word “firearms.” Staff said the language appeared to have been carried over during a recent website launch and was not a currently enforced policy.

Deputy County Administrator Hengens told the board that some local officials in a nearby town referenced the county language during their own deliberations. He recommended removing the word “firearms” from the parks webpage and leaving prohibitions focused on fireworks and explosives. Crane (staff) said he researched county ordinances and found no ordinance limiting possession of firearms on county facilities.

The board expressed consensus that the word “firearms” should be removed from the web text and directed staff to amend the language. No formal ordinance change was proposed in the meeting; staff said they would amend the website copy and follow the board’s direction.