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Council reviews draft parks‑use ordinance setting two‑hour limits and permit rules
Summary
Parks staff presented a draft ordinance to limit monopolization of shelters and courts, proposing two‑hour time limits without permits, reservation requirements for groups of more than 10, defined 25‑foot access zones, and enforcement by the police department; staff will hold a public hearing before adoption.
Town parks staff introduced a draft parks‑use ordinance intended to ensure reasonable public access and reduce monopolization of shelters, pavilions and courts.
Gary Johnson (presenting) said the ordinance would apply to town‑owned facilities and define "access zones" (for example, within 25 feet of restroom entrances or playground boundaries). The draft would prohibit continuously occupying or exclusively using a town amenity for more than two consecutive hours unless authorized by permit, participating in a town‑sponsored program, or otherwise authorized by the parks and recreation department.
Under the proposal, any group or event of more than 10 people using a reservable shelter or pavilion would require a reservation permit regardless of duration. The draft also inventories enforcement options, from verbal warnings to citations and suspension of reservation privileges, and preserves constitutionally protected expressive activity.
Councilmembers asked whether the draft affects vendors and how trespass or exclusion would be handled; staff said vendors typically are restricted from using park property to sell goods and that law enforcement could be involved for trespass enforcement. Council also discussed park hours (some parks close at sunset; some lighted facilities close at 10:30 p.m.) and the feasibility of adding gates or cameras in the future.
Next steps: staff will revise the draft as needed and schedule a public hearing before formal ordinance adoption.
