Commission discusses park rules, 10 mph trail speed limit and recent ordinance changes

Staff told the commission Dec. 18 that several park-related ordinance changes have progressed through city council readings, including renaming 'firearms prohibited' to 'weapons prohibited' and a council motion to prohibit swimming in city-owned park water bodies; staff said a third reading will be scheduled early in the new year.

The commission reviewed survey results (about 1,400 responses) used to support staff’s recommended 10-mph speed limit for certain park trails (Ada Hayden, Moore Memorial, Brookside, Elwood Pasture and Stuart Smith). Staff summarized responses: 78% of survey respondents favored instituting a speed limit; the most common concerns reported were device users not announcing presence (about 60%) and device users traveling at unsafe speeds (about 42%).

Commissioners emphasized enforcement and practicality concerns — whether signage and self-policing would be effective and whether a 10-mph rule would meaningfully change behavior. One commissioner noted that a 5-mph suggestion in the survey likely reflected respondents unfamiliar with cycling speeds; others said signage and education could help and that the rule could be revisited after initial implementation.

Staff said park rules (as opposed to ordinances) are set by the Parks and Recreation Commission and that, following council action on related ordinances, staff will present a final park-rules draft for commission adoption in January. The commission asked staff to clarify enforcement approaches, potential ticketing grace periods for fixable equipment (lights), and how rules will apply during organized events such as triathlons.