§ 18-81. Hours of use—parks and outdoor recreation facilities.

(a) It shall be unlawful to congregate in or use any lighted city park or outdoor recreation facility after 10:00 p.m. and before 6:00 a.m., except for the following:

(1) The city tennis courts and handball courts; provided that the use which occurs after 10:00 p.m. is only for the purpose of completing a match that was begun before 10:00 p.m.

(2) Those organized recreational or cultural activities where the organizer has obtained a permit for use of the city park beyond 10:00 p.m. A permit for the use of a city park beyond 10:00 p.m. may be issued to the organizer of a cultural or recreational activity by the city manager or his designee.

(3) Any park or outdoor recreation facility where a sign is posted that specifies closing hours other than those specified in paragraph (a).

(b) It shall be unlawful to congregate in or use any unlighted city park or outdoor recreation facility after 7:00 p.m. and before 7:00 a.m.

(c) It shall be unlawful to congregate on or use any unlighted trail after 11:00 p.m. and before 5:00 a.m. Lighted trails shall be open at all times.

(d) The city manager may post a sign that specifies closing hours other than those specified in paragraph (a) or (b) for any city park, trail or outdoor recreation facility subject to the following guidelines:

(1) The amount of daylight at the time of year during which the closing hours will be in effect;

(2) Available artificial lighting in the park or recreation facility;

(3) The city's ability to provide and the cost of providing adequate police protection in the park or recreation facility during the hours in which it is open;

(4) The occurrence of acts of vandalism and other crimes in the park or recreation facility;

(5) The need to prevent deterioration of existing shrubbery and grass in the park or recreation facility or the need to protect new plantings of grass and shrubbery.

(e) Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks and outdoor recreation facilities shall be open to the public every day of the year during designated hours.

(f) The city manager may close any park or recreational facility or any section thereof, or prohibit certain uses in any park or recreational facility for the time necessary to remedy any unforeseen circumstances, effect repairs, or provide maintenance. No person in a park or recreational facility shall enter an area posted as being closed to the public without the permission of the city manager or his designee.

(Ord. No. 2006-48, § 1, 12-19-06)