Public Works Committee Approves Ordinance Regulations on Park Usage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/March 1, 2017

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE APPROVES ORDINANCE REGULATIONS ON PARK USAGE

Proposal Goes to Monday's City Council Meeting

RAPID CITY--For the first time in many years, the City is revising regulations on use of the City's parks.

            At Tuesday's meeting, the City's Public Works Committee approved an ordinance with updated provisions and regulations regarding use of the City's parks.  The proposal moves on to Monday's City Council meeting.

            "There is some old archaic language in the existing ordinance and this is an attempt to not only clean up the language but also to review and regulate some increasing usages of our City's park system," said Jeff Biegler, City Parks and Recreation Director.

            Among changes in the proposed ordinance, which will come up for first reading at Monday's City Council meeting:

            *Clarifying hours City parks will be open and closed to the public.  Under the proposal, City parks will be closed from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. November 1 to March 15 and from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. March 16 to October 31.  

            *Authorized vendors selling or distributing foods and beverages, or selling goods, wares or merchandise in the City's parks system must have a vendor permit containing relevant information regarding dates and hours of operation, types and kinds of foods and beverages to be sold and the specific park location.    Lessees of athletic fields and park property do not need a vendor permit and can operate concessions as part of the lease agreement.

            *Current ordinance prohibits vandalism at Dinosaur Park.  The proposed new ordinance prohibits the vandalism of any works of art, monuments or prehistoric animal figures in any City park.

            *Vandalism such as the defacement, destruction, displacement or removal of park buildings, benches, tables, signs, grills, trees, shrubs, or historic, natural or geological resources will be prohibited.

            *Dogs are to be kept on a leash at all times unless they are in an off-leash area or there is signage excluding dogs from a park area.  New regulations are proposed for dogs in city parks.  Off-leash areas include Braeburn Park, Vicki Powers Memorial Park, Knollwood Drainage Area, Memorial Park East and Robbinsdale Park.  However, in the off-leash areas, dogs must be under the verbal control of their owner.

            *Trapping will not be allowed unless authorized by the Parks Director.

            *Use of fires outside of park receptacles or grills, and the use of fireworks in the City's park system is prohibited.

            *Use of remote control vehicles such as planes, cars, boats, drones and other devices are allowed only in designated areas.

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Thank you,

Darrell W. Shoemaker | Communications Coordinator T: 605.721.6686 | M: 605.939.8551

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