HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/13/2021 Item 2, AvakianCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: April 8, 2021
TO: City Council
FROM: Greg Avakian, Parks and Recreation Director
VIA: Derek Johnson, City Manager DJJ
SUBJECT: Item #2 - Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) Recommendation on
Regulation of Child Play Areas within City Parks
Attachment: Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting of April 7, 2021 - Draft Minutes
At the April 7, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, staff requested direction and
feedback to staff on whether, and in what form, to proceed with regulation of child play areas
within City parks, including potential limitation of use of designated child play areas based on
age or intended purpose of play equipment in the area.
Staff presented background and context regarding staff and community concerns on usage based
on age appropriateness and community members without children occupying child play areas
within City managed parks.
Recommendation Considered by PRC
Provide direction to Staff and City Council on whether and in what form to proceed with
regulation of child play areas within City parks, including potential limitation of use of
designated child play areas based on age or intended purpose of play equipment in the area. The
following three options were discussed.
1. Discussion of example ordinance as proposed and/or with alternate language. Example
ordinance language proposed:
No person over the age of 12 years old, other than a parent or guardian, babysitter,
caretaker, or other designee of a parent or guardian having sole or joint supervisory
responsibility over a child, shall visit, frequent, or be present in any area within a park or
recreational facility that has been designated and posted as a children’s play area
2. A recommendation that Council not pursue further this ordinance.
3. A recommendation that staff conduct further public outreach, further research, and/or
further advisory body engagement on this topic.
PRC Recommendation on Regulation of Child Play Areas within City Parks Page 2
April 7, 2021 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting and Direction
Input was received from all six of the Parks and Recreation Commissioners on this topic at its
Meeting of April 7th. Discussion was held regarding appropriate use and purpose of a community
member using the child play area, as well as the appropriate age expectations. A majority of
Commissioners agreed that appropriate use was important for safety and integrity of the users and
the amenities, including manufacturer recommended age requirements for the structures and
equipment. Commissioner concerns were related to the listing of a specific age requirement to be
in or around a child play area stated within an ordinance.
A majority of Parks and Recreation Commission recommend to Council that it direct staff to move
forward with pursuing a regulation of child play areas based on age or intended purpose of play
with some modified language around age requirements. The Commission deferred to the City
Attorney’s office for specific language. The decision was not unanimous: one commissioner
recommended not pursuing the regulation of child play areas based on age or intended purpose of
play equipment and one commissioner recommended staff conduct further research and more
public engagement before moving forward with a proposed ordinance.