HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Statement 1986/10/14 Item 09.'~
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COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT
Item 9
Meeting Date 10/14/86
ITEM TITLE: a.
Resolution ~.Z 7 G 7 Approving City-wide Park Reservation System
b. Ordinance Amending Chapter 2.66 of the Chula Vista
Municipal Code dealing with Park Rules
c. Resolution ` ~ Amending the Master Fee Schedule by Adding
Provision for Group Reservation Fees for Use of Public Parks
SUBMITTED BY: Director of Parks and Recreation
REVIEWED BY: City Manage r
(4/5ths Vote: Yes No X )
The City Council at its meeting of May 6, 1986, approved a temporary
reservation system for the Rohr/Sweetwater Park complex. This temporary
system was instituted in order to mitigate problems occurring at this park
related to traffic congestion, public disturbances, illegal parking, and
litter. At this meeting, staff was directed to prepare a report apprising the
Council on the effectiveness of this system and making recommendations for
implementation of a permanent park reservation system. Implementation of the
system will necessitate amending the City's Master Fee Schedule to include the
reservation fees.
The ordinance governing park rules must also be amended to include group use
rules and regulations for parks, prohibition of keg beer and amplified noise.
The attached resolutions contain the proposed amendments.
RECOMMENDATION: That Council adopt the resolutions approving a City-wide
Park Reservation System on a permanent basis and an amendment to the Master
Fee Schedule and approve the first reading of the City Ordinance on Park Rules.
BOARDS/COMMISSIONS RECOMMENDATION: The Parks and Recreation Commission
endorsed and approved the Park Reservation System at its meeting of
September 18, 1986.
DISCUSSION:
Since the current reservation system is temporary and affects Rohr Park only,
a permanent City-wide reservation system must be approved by Council.
Concurrently, staff is recommending that additional park rules be incorporated
in the Municipal Code to mitigate certain problems occurring in parks.
Council is being asked to consider the addition of these rules in the Code and
to place the ordinance incorporating them on its first reading. Finally,
Council is requested to amend the City's Master Fee schedule to add a
provision for reservation fees, since it is proposed to charge users for
making reservations.
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The temporary park reservation system has
of the problems which were associated with
date, more than 200 reservations have
reservations taken for the fall.
produced positive results, as many
the park are now under control. To
been made with many advanced
The major difficulties with Rohr/Sweetwater Park prior to the inception of the
reservation system were lack of control and supervision of the park during the
heavy weekend usage periods. The problems that were an outgrowth of these
difficulties were:
1. Excessive alcohol consumption
2. Amplified noise from radio, live music and generators
3. Overflow parking on Sweetwater Road and residential streets
4. Arguments over picnic shelters and areas
5. Littering
6. Hot coals dumped on grass or in trash bins
Since the reservation system has been in effect these problems have been
greatly reduced or eliminated. Discussion follows regarding the effect of the
reservation system in ameliorating these conditions.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Active enforcement of the "no glass" ordinance and the restriction placed on
keg beer has reduced the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, and the
rowdiness associated with overdrinking. In addition, the ranger staff's
presence creates an atmosphere which hampers groups from excessively
drinking. In order to be legitimately enforced, the exclusion of keg beer
must be established in a City ordinance. The ranger staff has been enforcing
this rule with positive results, since its inception this past Memorial Day.
Amplified Voise
This department recommends amending the City Ordinance on park rules to
include prohibition of amplified noise or sound unless prior written approval
is given by the Director of Parks and Recreation. Park users have complained
in the past about excessive noise from radio, live music and generators.
Implementation of this regulation will limit noise nuisances and will make the
park more enjoyable for all users.
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Parking
Parking, both inside the park and along Sweetwater Road, has historically been
a problem at this facility and mainly occurs during holidays and summer
months. With the use of the Optimist Field for overflow parking, the problem
of cars parking on Sweetwater Road has been eliminated. Once the parking lots
in the Rohr-Sweetwater Park are filled, the Optimist Field is made available
for parking. The field is supervised by ranger staff who directs park patrons
as to where to park their cars, assuring that automobiles are parked in an
orderly fashion to have easy public access to and frorn the Optimist Field.
This system eliminates potential problems such as blocked access to parking
spaces and mass congestion at the end of the day when patrons are leaving the
area. The ranger staff issues citations to illegally parked cars within the
park yrounds. The Chula Vista Police Department has been enforcing the
parking regulations on Sweetwater Road by citing and towing any illegally
parked cars that are parked on the shoulder or jogging trail. This proactive
approach has helped to greatly reduce the number of illegally parked cars
adjacent to Rohr/Sweetwater Park.
Arguments Over Picnic Shelters
Prior to implementation of the temporary reservation system, many park users
illegally entered the park before the opening time to reserve a shelter.
Disagreements and confrontations over picnic shelters and tables occurred
regularly. With the reservation system, groups can be guaranteed of getting a
shelter. Ballfields can also be reserved on an hourly basis. The group use
rules and regulations listed in the attached ordinance provide information on
making reservations for shelters and ballfields and expected conduct of
groups, and list the user fees and refundable cleaning/damage deposits
charged. User fees and deposits for shelters are based on the shelter size
and roup size, ranging in price from $2S to $10U. User fees for ballfields
are10.00 per hour.
Each site that is reserved has a reserve sign posted by the time of the park
opening. All unreserved sites are open to the general public on a first-come
basis. Park staff has copies of park reservation request forms to verify
groups' fee payments and site location and to settle any disputes. Staff is
also educating the public on park rules and regulations during patrol. The
long term benefit will be park users that are better informed and better
prepared to use park facilities for their intended purpose.
Littering
Groups who reserve a picnic shelter are required to pay a cleaning/damage
deposit. The purpose of the deposit is to make users more responsible for
keeping their reserved area clean and in good condition. In the past, groups
have left trash in the shelters and litter on the grounds, causing park staff
to spend additional time on cleanup. Users nave an incentive to clean their
shelters to receive a refund of their deposit and staff spends less time on
cleanup and more time on maintenance, as a result.
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Hot Coal Disposal
A feature that has been introduced to improve park safety is the addition of
hot coal disposal cans. These receptacles have reduced the incidents of hot
briquets being dumped on park grounds or in trash containers. The use of
these containers has helped to eliminate damaged turf and has dramatically
reduced the number of trash can and dumpster fires at this park.
The development and administration of the reservation system in this city park
has benefited all users. Groups have been able to reserve areas i n advance
with assurances as to their availabil ity. The previous practice of arriving
early or camping out at the park overnight to claim an area has been
eliminated. Supervision of the park has increased and has resulted in the
community being provided a safer and rnore pleasant environment in which to
recreate.
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost incurred in providing a city-wide reservation
system would be offset by revenue generated from reservation fees.
WPC 0662R
by the City Council of
Chula Vista, California
Dated