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Alpine parks board recommends ordinance tightening park rules, setting fines up to $4,000
Summary
The Alpine Parks Board voted to recommend that the city council adopt an amendment to Chapter 74 of the Alpine Code of Ordinances to clarify park rules, add definitions, ban unauthorized metal-detecting and camping, and establish penalties (up to $500 for general violations and up to $4,000 for public-health or safety violations).
The Alpine Parks Board voted Feb. 11 to recommend the city council adopt revisions to Chapter 74 of the Alpine Code of Ordinances that clarify park rules, add a definition section, restrict some activities and establish penalties for violations.
Board members discussed language that would allow the city to assess up to $500 for ordinary ordinance violations and up to $4,000 for certain public-health and safety breaches. “The $500 is gonna be, it’s gonna be a standard for any violation of the ordinance,” Speaker 3 said, adding that the higher penalty targets specific, serious offenses such as illegal dumping.
The draft ordinance also adds a full definitions section, relocates and clarifies rules on alcoholic beverages, and introduces a prohibition on metal detectors unless authorized by a park supervisor. The ordinance clarifies electrical-use rules and adds criteria the city will consider when approving assemblies in parks, including health and safety impacts, traffic and parking, and the need for police, fire or EMS presence.
Board members also debated commercial use of fields and classes. Under the proposed language, commercial classes or instructional activities offered for compensation require a permit and a liability waiver approved by the city manager; voucher-sponsored programs or classes would also be subject to the permit process. “If you look on the commercial activities section … a person may not conduct classes in the park unless the person obtained a permit from the city,” Speaker 3 said.
The board moved and seconded the recommendation and scheduled the ordinance for legal review and formal readings by the city council. Speaker 3 said the city attorney and council will have a two-week review period; the first reading is scheduled for March 17, 2026, with a second and final reading set for April 7, 2026, subject to any legal revisions.
Next steps: the ordinance will be forwarded to the city attorney and the city council for review and formal readings. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript for the recommendation; the council will consider adoption on the posted dates.
