The current SMC, Section 12.24.090 reads "The director of the department of parks and recreation shall, after consultation with the parks and recreation commission and following approval by the City Manager, adopt, amend or repeal such rules, consistent with the policies, objects and purposes of the City Council, as he or she may deem necessary or desirable in the public interest in regulating the safe, enjoyable and equitable use of city parks.  Rules pertaining to specific activity areas shall be displayed in a prominent and public location in or near such area or shall be communicated orally or in writing to program participants as circumstances require.  Principal rules pertaining to an entire park shall be publicly and prominently displayed at the entrance to the city park."

Historically, principal park rules have been difficult to enforce due to lack of signage and/or staff resources.  However, signage with code is extremely helpful to refer to if and when Sparks Police is dispatched to assist with non-compliant park users or when the general public wishes to assist with rule enforcement.  Upon approval of SMC revisions, staff will create new signage to be prominently displayed at park entrances.  The first parks will be those with the highest volume of park users such as  Golden Eagle Regional Park, Pah Rah Park, Shadow Mountain Park, Sparks Marina Park, and Deer Park with the eventual goal of signage at every park.

The following parks rules are already accounted for in the Sparks Municipal Code or the Washoe County Code:

• Park Hours:  6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.    SMC 12.24.030
• Dogs must be on a leash                     WCC 55.100
• Pick up after your dog                          WCC 55.130
• Alcohol prohibited                                SMC 5.28.165
• Discharge of B-B guns prohibited        SMC 9.66.010
• Discharge of firearms prohibited          SMC 9.66.020
• Unauthorized motor vehicles prohibited SMC 12.24.020
• Excessive noise prohibited                   SMC 12.24.080
• Fires prohibited                                     SMC 12.24.050
• Camping prohibited in city parks           SMC 12.24.040
• Camping prohibited within 300' of river SMC 9.48.030

Additional rules recommended for codification include the following:

• Inflatables prohibited in city parks                                                        Add to Section 12.24
• Archery prohibited in city parks                                                            Add to Section 12.24     
• Golfing prohibited in city parks                                                             Add to Section 12.24
• Organized sports prohibited without a permit in city parks                   Add to Section 12.24
• Metal Detectors prohibited without a permit in city parks                     Add to Section 12.24
• Unmanned aerial vehicles prohibited without a permit in city parks     Add to Section 12.24
• Inflatables prohibited without a permit during special events               Add to Section 9.34

The addition of these recommended rules will contribute to a safer environment in our parks.

The City Council may choose to direct the City Manager to prepare amendments to the SMC to facilitate the education and enforcement of principal park rules.

The City Council may choose not to direct the City Manager to prepare amendments to the SMC to facilitate the education and enforcement of principal park rules.

I move to direct the City Manager to initiate amendments to the Sparks Municipal Code to include the proposed principal park rules.