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Freeport adopts park ordinance changes, orders new signage and bans bikes/ebikes on park greens
Summary
Council adopted a revised park ordinance (Ordinance No. 2026-05) restricting for-profit activity in parks, directed staff to add no-smoking and no-vaping language to park signage, and approved language to prohibit bikes, e-bikes and vehicles on park greens; Little League structures and a Fourth of July parade permit were also approved.
The City of Freeport on May 28 adopted a revised park ordinance and approved multiple related park actions, including updated signage and a prohibition on bikes and e-bikes on park greens.
Planning staff presented the second reading of the revised park ordinance that adds a restriction on activities in parks that would result in financial gain without prior permission and clarifies that nonprofit fundraisers may occur with prior approval and a permit. Council adopted the ordinance as Ordinance No. 2026-05.
Parks staff asked that existing signs at the sports complex display the relevant ordinance numbers and asked council to add prohibitions for smoking, alcohol and vaping. Council directed staff to amend ordinance 94-2 and order new signs that will read "no smoking, no drinking, no vaping" (and include the ordinance citation) for city parks.
Separately, council approved additional language to prohibit bikes, e-bikes and other vehicles on park greens citing safety concerns for players and patrons. The council instructed staff to include that language when revising the ordinance and ordering new signage.
On related park items, the council approved Little League's construction of scorekeeper stands behind fields 1–3 using donated lumber with the understanding the structures will become city property once complete. Council also approved the Fourth of July parade permit request so staff may process the permit.
What happens next: City Attorney and planning staff will draft the ordinance amendments and new signs will be produced reflecting the updated rules; staff will process the Little League property acknowledgement and the parade permit.
