Council asks staff to draft park rules, seeks fire marshal input on playground gates

Council members told parks staff March 26 they want a clearer policy for private, fee-based use of city sports facilities and gates at playgrounds that comply with fire-marshalled safety guidance.

Park staff reported the splash pad at the sports complex will open April 1 and confirmed the city tests water; Councilwoman Hurst asked staff to note water testing and procedures in public communications. The meeting then turned to playground gates and fencing: the fire marshal said gates cannot be locked and must be easily opened, which steered the council away from locking hardware in favor of self-latching swing or magnetic designs. A staff estimate to repair hinges and replace poles for three entrances was quoted at $1,951.33.

Council also discussed repeated private commercial uses of city fields and courts — instructors or groups charging fees and effectively reserving space without prior permission. Local attorney and parent Matthew Osley asked whether county ordinance section 14‑5 ("No person shall conduct any activity or utilize any park... which will result in financial gain unless prior permission is granted") would prohibit fee‑based instruction without city approval; council advised organizers to work through the parks director and present formal requests to city staff. The council directed staff to draft a tighter ordinance or resolution to clarify permitted commercial activities and to return with a proposal.

Why this matters: Without a clear local policy, fee‑based groups can reserve or occupy limited facilities (for example, one of two basketball courts), which affects youth and other residents who use the parks for intended activities.

Next steps: Staff will seek written guidance from the fire marshal on gate hardware, draft a parks-use policy or ordinance to regulate fee‑based commercial activities at city parks, and return to council with recommendations.