Proposed Amendments to Park and Publicly Owned Properties Ordinance
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The Edina City Council wants to hear from residents before deciding whether to move forward with a potential ordinance amendment.
This ordinance updates City Code Chapter 24 regarding conduct in park & publicly owned property. The code was reviewed for potential updates to ensure parks and publicly owned properties are safe for the community to reserve and use as intended. An increase in the number of large group gatherings without prior knowledge has caused severe negative impacts on the physical, social, emotional well-being and safety of park users.
An advance reservation permit requirement will allow for a higher level of coordination and planning to ensure that the safety, capacity and coordination of city resources can be adequately deployed if approved. Unplanned events have the likelihood to have a negative impact on park maintenance, police and adjacent property resources in the community. Park and Recreation staff currently have a permit application and review process for advanced reservations. This would have no impact on current permit holders and athletic associations that have standing permit reservations. This ordinance update provides a tool for the Police Department to enforce gatherings of a certain size and use of certain areas if conditions in a park demand. The City Prosecuting Attorney recommends violations of this ordinance be classified as a petty misdemeanor.
Updates include:
(a) clarifying that groups of 25 or more need a permit for use in a rentable building, picnic shelter or athletic field space;
(b) that permit holders have priority of use of a rentable space and a group that does not have a valid permit does not have a right to a space. If a group not in possession of a valid permit does not allow a permit holder use of the rented area, they would be in violation of the ordinance.
(c) that uses of Arneson Acres Park, in the formal garden area, gazebo picnic shelter and parking lot cannot be used for gatherings of 10 or more people, for amplifying sound or music, or for commercial uses.
(d) details on how advance permits are obtained, how they can be denied or conditions added and how to appeal if an applicant is aggrieved.
(e) details that the director or law enforcement may declare part or all of a park be closed if deemed necessary.
The Council is inviting community feedback through an online comment form. All input will be shared with the City Council before final consideration of the ordinance.
Process Overview:
Review the Draft Ordinance and supporting materials
Share Your Feedback: Online using the form below
Council Review: All online comments will be provided to City Council.
Final Consideration: Council will evaluate community input before taking further action on the ordinance.
The Edina City Council wants to hear from residents before deciding whether to move forward with a potential ordinance amendment.
This ordinance updates City Code Chapter 24 regarding conduct in park & publicly owned property. The code was reviewed for potential updates to ensure parks and publicly owned properties are safe for the community to reserve and use as intended. An increase in the number of large group gatherings without prior knowledge has caused severe negative impacts on the physical, social, emotional well-being and safety of park users.
An advance reservation permit requirement will allow for a higher level of coordination and planning to ensure that the safety, capacity and coordination of city resources can be adequately deployed if approved. Unplanned events have the likelihood to have a negative impact on park maintenance, police and adjacent property resources in the community. Park and Recreation staff currently have a permit application and review process for advanced reservations. This would have no impact on current permit holders and athletic associations that have standing permit reservations. This ordinance update provides a tool for the Police Department to enforce gatherings of a certain size and use of certain areas if conditions in a park demand. The City Prosecuting Attorney recommends violations of this ordinance be classified as a petty misdemeanor.
Updates include:
(a) clarifying that groups of 25 or more need a permit for use in a rentable building, picnic shelter or athletic field space;
(b) that permit holders have priority of use of a rentable space and a group that does not have a valid permit does not have a right to a space. If a group not in possession of a valid permit does not allow a permit holder use of the rented area, they would be in violation of the ordinance.
(c) that uses of Arneson Acres Park, in the formal garden area, gazebo picnic shelter and parking lot cannot be used for gatherings of 10 or more people, for amplifying sound or music, or for commercial uses.
(d) details on how advance permits are obtained, how they can be denied or conditions added and how to appeal if an applicant is aggrieved.
(e) details that the director or law enforcement may declare part or all of a park be closed if deemed necessary.
The Council is inviting community feedback through an online comment form. All input will be shared with the City Council before final consideration of the ordinance.
Process Overview:
Review the Draft Ordinance and supporting materials
Share Your Feedback: Online using the form below
Council Review: All online comments will be provided to City Council.
Final Consideration: Council will evaluate community input before taking further action on the ordinance.
