Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 930 Skate Park Regulations ' I 57-OO - I003 Memorandum // L` City of Palm Desert '•::, Xi.104' Department of Community Affairs To: Honorable Mayor&Members of the City Council From: Director of Community Affairs/City Clerk Subject: Skate Park Ordinance No. 930 Date: November 18, 1999 Recommendation: 1. Waive further reading and pass Ordinance No. 930 to second reading, amended to include the recommendations forwarded by the Public Safety Commission as delineated on Page 3 of this memo. 2. By Minute Motion: 1) Appropriate funds from the Unobligated General Fund to provide seven-day supervision of the park; 2)direct staff to establish a Skate Park Registration Card system for implementation as soon as possible and no later than January 1, 2000; 3) direct staff to work with the Recreation District in scheduling first aid training through Drs. Jesser and O'Connell; 4) direct staff to provide a temporary storage facility at the park; 5) direct staff to come back with preliminary design and cost information for the development of a smaller skate park. Discussion: At its meeting of November 17, 1999,the Public Safety Commission reviewed the subject ordinance as well as Councilman Ferguson's memo of November 16th and Mr. Diaz's response dated November 17t. The following are recommendations the Commission is forwarding to the City Council for additions to the existing regulations for the park: 1. Provide supervision at all times the Skate Park is open. Commission consensus was that this Memo To: Honorable Ma i City Council "Skate Park Ordinance" November 18, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * was critical and that it should be provided as soon as possible. 2. Requirement of a Skate Park Registration Card issued by C.V. Recreation&Park District to be presented before individuals are allowed in the park. This gives the City a tool to suspend use to those who break the rules, and it more importantly gives us a way to notify parents in the case of accidents. Use of a Registration Card would give us the names of students using park during school hours which Desert Sands Unified School District could use to determine truancy. Card applicants would be charged a$5.00 administrative fee to cover the cost of the card at its issuance. Deputy City Attorney Bob Hargreaves has determined that this fee is permissible as long as it is for the cost of the card and not for admission to the Skate Park. 3. Make a telephone available to staff with a direct line to the Police Department. As of today, a cell phone is being provided until such time as a permanent communication system has been established between the C.V. Recreation District and the Police Department. Calls from the cell phone will be blocked for 911 use only. 4. Basic First Aid Equipment and Training for Recreation District supervisors. Dr. Ken Jesser of the E.M.C. Emergency Room staff and Dr. Stephen O'Connell of the Desert Orthopedic Center have offered to conduct this training. All C.V. Recreation District supervisors are currently trained in basic first aid. However, the District would enthusiastically welcome a more focused training from these doctors. 5. A storage area for the supervisory staff for their supplies and equipment which can be locked at times the park is closed. The Commission felt that this was a must. Council could consider placing a temporary structure at this time to allow time for design and construction of a permanent structure in the near future. Also, should the Council decide that a smaller skate park should be constructed, the design and construction of the storage area could be included in that bid package. 6. Construction of a smaller skate park for use by younger children and beginners. The Commission strongly supports the construction of this smaller park in that it would provide a safer environment for younger children and beginners. If the Council decides against such construction, the Commission strongly recommends establishing specific times for use by those learning versus times for the more proficient skater. Deputy City Attorney Bob Hargreaves has advised that Municipal Code Section 11.01.070 (copy attached) makes provision for the City Manager to establish regulations in the park as he deems appropriate. Therefore,any additional regulations the City Council may feel necessary can be added tomorrow if so desired by direction to the City Manager. In considering the proposed ordinance,the Council may want to leave this City Manager authorization in place, or it can establish a section of the proposed ordinance which creates a companion resolution for Council adoption which would establish regulations for the Skate Park in a more formalized manner. 2 Memo To: Honorable MI &City Council "Skate Park Ordinance" November 18, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Also discussed by the Commission was a cross walk between the Skate Park and the C.V. Recreation District and the Y.M.C.A. Users are going to these buildings for restroom facilities and refreshments and more often than not, they skate back and forth thus creating the need for the safety zone to cross. The Commission went on to suggest future construction of a restroom facility and a refreshment area in the Skate Park. Benches or some type of seating was discussed. This would give parents a place to sit and observe/monitor their child's use of the park. With regard to proposed Ordinance No. 930, the Commission recommends the following amendments: 1. Add a section to the ordinance designating the Skate Park as aArea. No Smoking g g Commission discussed at length makingthe entire Skate Park area a non-smokingarea. In g order to do this, the skate area would have to be designated as a"public facility". Deputy g P Y P Y City Attorney Bob Hargreaves has researched this and determined that this area can be so designated. Staff recommends amendingthe ordinance to include establishingthis g designation. 2. Page 2, Section 8.85.030 B. 1. Add the word "wristguard"so as to require them during use of the park. 3. Page 3, Section 8.85.060 A. Replace wording with "Any person using the skate area must wear a helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, and wrist guards." D. Replace wording with "No food, glass bottles, or cans are permitted in the skating area at any time." E. Add the word "unauthorized"before the words "ramps,jumps, or obstacles". SHEILA R. GILLI AN DIRECTOR OF COMMUN Y AFFAIRS/CITY CLERK *Refer item number 6 (construc- CITY COUNCIIACTION: tion of smaller skate park) APPROVED * DENIED to Parks & Recreation RECEIVED OTHER Commission. MEETIN DATE '`39 AYES: C 'a.•.. MI : ., i'11,1111!MllnEti.A. �0 NOES:, A1io'► kl) ABSENT:3 /1 s2) ABSTAIN: . "1/ tAL VERIF7 D BY: ... .. . .. . .l.�ULL .0 on File With Cit(v C erk'a Of icy Memorandum I A City of Palm Desert °� ��:��`• Office of the City Council .•.=9 73 To: City Manager Ray Diaz From: Councilman Jim Ferguson Subject: Skate Park Date: November 16, 1999 When the City Council discussed the Skate Park at the October 28th meeting,there was unanimity among the members that staff should be directed to look into those recommendations made by the subcommittee and come back to the Council with a staff recommendation on how to accomplish them. Those recommendations are as follows: 1. Providing supervision at all times the Skateboard Park is open. 2. Use of a Skate Park Registration Card issued by C.V. Recreation & Park District to be presented before individuals are allowed in the park. This gives us a way to suspend use to those who break the rules, and it more importantly gives us a way to notify parents in the case of accidents. Use of a Registration Card would give us the names of students using park during school hours which Desert Sands Unified School District could use to determine truancy. 3. Make a telephone available to staff with a direct line to the Police Department. 4. Basic First Aid Equipment and Training for Recreation District supervisors. Dr. Ken Jesser of the E.M.C. Emergency Room staff and Dr. Stephen O'Connell of the Desert Orthopedic Center have offered to conduct this training. 5. A storage area for the supervisory staff for their supplies and equipment which can be locked at times the park is closed. 6. Construction of a smaller skateboard park for use by younger children and beginners. Something not discussed at the last meeting but needing to be discussed is permission to the Recreation District to sell helmets, wrist guards, and pads. When these recommendations are considered and adopted, they should be included in any letter we send to parents. I would like to discuss this with you prior to the City Council meeting on Thursday as I think these items should have been addressed weeks ago. cc: Honorable Mayor&Members of the City Council 'Nov-12-9a 09:55 From-BEST, BFST.t KRIEGER 760-340-6698 T-769 P.02/O6 F-961 • ORDINANCE NO. 930 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA REVISING SECTION 8.85 IN TITLE 8 OF THE PALM DESERT MUNICIPAL CODE, HEALTH AND SAFETY, SKATE PARK REGULATIONS The City Council of the City of Palm Desert, California does hereby ordain as follows. Section 1. That Chapter 8 85 of Title 8 of the Code of the City of Palm Desert, California is hereby revised, and replaced in its entirety, to read as follows. "CHAPTER 8.85 SKATE PARK REGULATIONS Sections 8.85.010 Purpose 8.85.020 Definitions 8.85.030 State Law Compliance 8.85.040 Hazardous Recreational Activity 8.85.050 Use of the Skate Park& Surrounding Areas 8.85.060 Regulations 8.85.070 Penalty 8.85.080 Notice 8.85.010 Purpose The purposes of this ordinance are (1)to establish regulations for the use and enjoyment of the Skate Park facility, in the interest of public safety, (2)to comply with Health and Safety Code Section 115800 by adopting an ordinance requiring use of safety equipment, with penalty by citation and notice by sign, and (3)to satisfy the conditions of Sections 115800 and 115800 1 for qualified immunity from liability for hazardous recreational activities. 8.85.020 Definitions A The terms used in this chapter, e g , "skateboard", shall have the meanings in common usage, except as otherwise defined herein or by the Health and Safety Code and other applicable laws 1 itmpunuCt\1sa689 ' Nov-12-99. 09:56 From-BEST, BEST.; KRIEGER 760-340-6698 T-769 P.03/06 F-961 Ordinance No. 930 8 For the purposes of this chapter only, the following definitions shall apply I The term"Skate Park" means the Palm Desert Skate Park facility, located in the Palm Desert Civic Center in the City of Palm Desert, California; 2 The term"Skating Area" means the area within the Skate Park designed for skating and skateboarding activities,which is limited to the bowl and adjacent concrete 8.85.030 State Law Compliance A Health and Safety Code § 115800 prohibits any operator of a skateboard park to permit any person to ride a skateboard therein unless that person is wearing a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. B The City hereby requires, pursuant to § 115800, that 1 Any person riding a skateboard at the Skate Park must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads(see Regulations below),and 2. Notice of the safety equipment required in subsection 1 above and notice of the penalty for violation shall be provided (see Penalty and Notice below) C The Parks and Recreation Department shall develop a system for recording skateboarding and in-line skating injuries and claims and shall report those incidents to the Judicial Council in accordance with §§ 115800 and 115800 1 8.85.040 Hazardous Recreational Activity A. Skateboarding and in-line skating are deemed hazardous recreational activities,within the meaning of Government Code § 831.7,by Health and Safety Code §§ 115800 and 115800 1 under specified conditions B_ The City hereby adopts the pertinent State law definitions of hazardous recreational activities and hereby affirms that use of the Palm Desert Skate Park is deemed a hazardous recreational activity to the fullest extent permitted by law. C. In conformity with § 115800 1. 1 The City hereby designates the Palm Desert Skate Park, located in the Palm Desert Civic Center in Palm Desert, California, a recreational area in which in-line skating 2 Ra6PUDVC 1158689 Nov-it-99, 09:56 From-BEST, "" i KRIEGER 760-340-6698 T-769 P.04/06 F-961 Drdinance No. 930 is permitted, and 2 The City shall post notice advising the public that in-line skating in the designated area by adults is deemed a hazardous recreational activity and that the City may not be liable for injuries incurred by participants(see Notice below) 8.85.050 _tJse of the Skate Park& Surrounding Area A Stunts, tricks or luge skateboarding are: 1. Prohibited in the picnic area, parking lot, curbs, and surrounding areas of the Skate Park, Civic Center and Civic Center Park, and. 2 Permitted in the Skating Area only B. Skating and skateboarding are the only activities permitted in the Skating Area. Bicycles or other vehicles are prohibited from entering the Skating Area. C The safety of the Skating Area is reduced by the presence of debris of any kind and by wet conditions Food consumption and cigarette smoking produce foreseeable litter and are not permitted within the Skating Area. Use of the Skating Area under wet conditions is also prohibited. 8.85.O6O Regulations The following regulations shall be posted for public notice (see Notice below) A Any person using a skateboard or in-line skates must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads, in-line skaters must also wear wrist guards B. No bicycles or other vehicles are permitted in the skating area C. No spectators are permitted in the skating area. D. No smoking, food or glass bottles are permitted in the skating area. No ramps,jumps or obstacles are permitted in the skate park. F Use of the skating area is prohibited when it is raining or the concrete is wet G No alcohol or drug use is permitted in the skate park 3 kW'uaucT s&689 Nor-1E-99. 09:57 From-BEST, BEST.; KRIEGER 760-340-6696 T-769 P.05/06 F-961 1rdinance No. 930 H. Sponsored events(contests, demonstrations, classes, etc.) must be approved by the City, in advance, through the park reservation process. 8.85.070 Penalty A. The City hereby resolves that failure to observe Regulation A(above), which requires use of safety equipment, shall be an Infraction with a specific fine in the amount of Fifty and No/100 Dollars($50.00) B. Any person who fails to observe Regulation A.(above), requiring use of safety equipment, is subject to citation,the fine in subsection A(immediately above) and removal from the Skate Park B Notice of this penalty shall be posted with the Regulations(see Notice below). 8.85.080 Notice A_ The City shall post an official sign at the entry of the Skate Park facility and additional signs therein as needed to provide reasonable notice of this ordinance. 13 The sign(s) shall provide notice to the public of: 1. The Regulations(A through H)above; 2 The caution: "Skating and skateboarding are hazardous recreational activities and the City may not be liable for injuries"; and 3 The Penalty. "Violators will be subject to citation, a$50 fine and removal (Palm Desert Municipal Code Section 8 85 )"" Section 2. Upon the effective date, this ordinance will supersede, repeal, and replace the urgency ordinance adopted on September 9, 1999 which added Section 8.85 to the Palm Desert Municipal Code. Section 3. The city clerk shall certify the adoption of the Ordinance and shall cause the same to be published once in a newspaper of general circulation printed within the City of Palm Desert, California. It shall be in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its adoption. 4 RMPUavrni r9 tlov-1t-99 09:57 From-BEST, RFST.4 KRIEGER 760-340-6698 T-769 P.06/06 F-961 )rdinance No. 930 PASSED,APPROVED and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City council of the City of Palm Desert, California, on the_day of September, 1999, by the following roll cal vole AYES- NOES: ABSENT. ABSTAIN' ROBERT SPI1GEL, MAYOR City of Palm Desert, California ATTEST. By.. SHEILA R. GILLIGAN, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM By. DAVID J. ERWIN, City Attorney City of Palm Desert, California 5 RMFu miss6s9 • PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 28, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Pro-Tempore Crites stated that the rush hour issue would be solved, but that was the peak traffic all-day-long time of the year. He was uncomfortable shutting down any lanes there at that time. When asked about delaying the project until later, Mr. Folkers said staff had found that traffic dropped off dramatically after Easter. Therefore, he said the project could be bid with a commencement in April or May. Mayor Pro-Tempore Crites moved to, by Minute Motion, authorize the City Clerk to advertise and call for bids for the subject project, as modified with construction to commence after May 1, 2000. Motion was seconded by Councilman Kelly and carried by unanimous vote. K. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL of a Change Order and Acceptance of Work for Contract No. C15160 -- Construction of the Palm Desert Skate Park. In response to question about which recommendation should be contemplated, Mr. Jeff Winklepleck, Parks and Recreation Planning Manager, responded the one delivered most recently, with larger amounts, was the appropriate one. He said it included the fencing change order, apologizing that he just received the contractor's quote Tuesday. Responding to request for information, Mr. Winklepleck explained that the tentative fencing plans went through Parks & Recreation Commission, which recommended a four- foot wrought iron fence for two reasons. Commissioners felt it would be easier for spectators to see over the four-foot fence, and it would also have less visual impact on the area. He added that the fence was reviewed by the Skate Park Oversight Committee, as well, which felt four feet was too short for Parks & Recreation to maintain adequate control of the area when it was closed at night, or if daytime closure was necessary due to inclement weather or for maintenance purposes; staff concurred with that opinion. Mr. Winklepleck went on to say that the proposal was to erect a wrought iron fence similar to the one at the Canine Commons, same color, and the contractor indicated it was possible the fence would be in place by the November 13 dedication. If approved, he would contact them immediately to find out for certain, otherwise, it would be delayed until after that date; the temporary construction fencing would be removed for the dedication and construction would begin Monday, November 15. When questioned who comprised the Skate Park Oversight Committee, Mr. Winklepleck answered Councilman Ferguson served, as did two members from the Parks & Recreation Commission, a representative from the YMCA, some representatives of the Coachella Valley Recreation & Park District, interested members of the public, some of the skaters, and other persons with a related interest (i.e. parents). He said it was an ad hoc committee for the purpose of reviewing activity, recommending improvements and changes in operation there. 5 • PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 28, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Mayor Pro-Tempore Crites said he'd attended the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting for Mayor Spiegel, and there was a long discussion about fence height. He said the conclusion, which he didn't believe was completely unanimous, was that four or six feet, if someone wanted to get into the facility badly enough, they could. However, the four-foot fence provided significantly lower aesthetic impact while still allowing parents to look over and watch their kids. He reflected what he felt was that Commission's strong vote for the four-foot height; staff didn't agree with that and presented an opposing point of view at the meeting, which was considered and, obviously, rejected. Councilman Ferguson stated that both he and Mayor Spiegel were on the Committee that met with users of the facility, Park & Recreation staff that supervised it, as well as City staff, to discuss the subject. He said a good long meeting was conducted with the people who sat there hour after hour every day trying to supervise those who were less than respectful for the facility, and there was concurrence that a six-foot fence was needed. He went on to say it was decided that enforcement of rules and regulations was a problem, users weren't registered, and they would leave prior to the arrival of police. He felt hopping a four-foot fence versus climbing a six-foot fence was a signifcant enough deterrent, and he was pleased that the issue was being moved forward. Upon inquiry regarding the difference in the service lateral cost ($2,100 as opposed to $1,500), Mr. Winklepleck responded that it was $1,500 because there was a credit to the City, and that amount was put back into the fencing. In further response, he stated six feet was recommended, painted tan. Councilman Ferguson moved to, by Minute Motion: 1) Approve Change Order No. 1 to Contract No. C15160 for additional work required to complete the Skate Park Construction in the amount of $46,100; 2) authorize the transfer of $43,900 from contract contingency to base -- additional $2,200 available in Account No. 233-4674-454-4001; 3) authorize the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion for the Palm Desert Skate Park upon completion of the installation of six-foot fencing, per the proposal for same. Motion was seconded by Councilman Kelly. Councilmember Benson stated she didn't have any question about the fence. However, she wondered what had to be done in order to make the facility and its perimeter non- smoking. Councilman Ferguson answered he thought it was already prohibited by ordinance. Mr. Winklepleck said that was an issue brought up at the Oversight Committee meeting; in fact he brought it up due to his concern, not only because of kids smoking there, but the safety hazard caused from cigarette butts on the park's surface. He went on to say that a revised ordinance would be coming before Council in the near future that detailed a few of the issues raised by the Oversight Committee, smoking being one of them. The motion carried by unanimous vote. 6 PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 28, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * --> When questioned about the number of skaters seen without helmets and the supervised hours, Mr. Winklepleck responded that was another issue addressed by the Oversight Committee. He said on weekdays from 2:00 p.m. to close, Coachella Valley Recreation & Park District staff was on-site; they were present all day on weekends. The Oversight Committee recommended extending supervised hours through the week to all day every day, which he said would be brought to Council at its November 18 meeting. Councilman Kelly stated there either needed to be someone supervising the facility or it should be locked. Mayor Spiegel commented that he'd circulated to his colleagues a draft letter to parents of all elementary and middle school children, asking for cooperation to ensure Skate Park users were adequately equipped with helmets and pads. He went on to say there was still the possibility of working with the Police Department to first notify the kids followed by some stronger measures, if needed. Councilman Ferguson recalled Mayor Spiegel brought the draft letter to Council at one of the Police Briefings, and it was subsequently taken to a Skate Park Oversight Committee meeting that the Mayor could not attend. He believed that there were so many recommendations under consideration that, if approved by Council, needed to be included in any such letter to be distributed; therefore, the letter should be delayed until the complete package was ready. Mayor Pro-Tempore Crites felt the tone of the subject letter could be softened somewhat. He believed the letter should be instructive without being threatening. Mayor Spiegel concurred, adding that he would recommend Mayor Pro-Tempore Crites read the letter, and with his approval, it be distributed to the children rather than waiting another two weeks. Councilmember Benson and Councilman Ferguson reiterated the desire to have all the other information included in the correspondence, such as the no-smoking issue, whether or not there would be unsupervised hours, things that parents needed to know. Further, Councilman Ferguson knew of at least one doctor that wanted to talk to the City about requiring wrist guards for inline skaters and skate boarders, since he was the one who treated most of those wrist injuries. He went on to say there could be some factual inaccuracies in the letter shortly after it was sent if Council didn't wait until its next meeting. Council concurred. With Council concurrence, Mayor Spiegel directed that consideration of the aforementioned letter to parents would be delayed to the Council's meeting of November 18. 7 PRELIMINARY MINUTES REGULAR PALM DESERT CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 28, 1999 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Councilman Ferguson said the other item talked about by the Oversight Committee was that instead of having the typical $500 fine or six-month jail time open-ended penalty, having a dollar-specific fine that people would realize they were subject to if the rules were broken. Additionally, he said there was talk of: 1) Placing a camera on-site that would be monitored at the Police Station; 2) letting the public know trespassing may be punishable by immediate arrest; 3) installation of a telephone for emergency calls. He felt his colleagues would be very impressed with the ideas presented by Parks & Recreation at the meeting. V. RESOLUTIONS None VI. ORDINANCES For Introduction: None For Adoption: None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF AN APPEAL TO A DECISION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION, DENYING A PERMIT TO PARK AND STORE A NINE FOOT HIGH BY TWENTY-ONE FOOT LONG RECREATIONAL VEHICLE IN THE FRONT YARD OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 73-500 FEATHER TRAIL Case No. RV 99-5 (Louis & Eva Conconi, Applicants/Appellants). Upon question about what impact homeowner CC&R's had on this type of case, Mr. Erwin responded they applied between the homeowners; the City had not assumed any enforcement of private CC&R's. He clarified that the City did not change, overrule, or otherwise modify those regulations. MR. LOUIS CONCONI, 73-500 Feather Trail, Palm Desert, stated he'd been a Palm Desert resident since 1968. He went on to explain his situation with the recreational vehicle (RV) and his wife's illness which necessitated travel in that manner to and from various medical appointments throughout the region. He had inquired with Palm Desert Storage about parking his RV, but they were full; at the lot on Washington, he was told they would be remodeling soon, and all RV's would have to be removed in January. His only alternative was either Indio or Desert Hot Springs, which was inconvenient; he could 8 MEMORANDUM CITY OF PALM DESERT DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: JEFF WINKLEPLECK, PARKS AND RECREATION PLANNING MANAGER DATE: OCTOBER 28, 1999 SUBJECT: SKATE PARK INFORMATION LETTER RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council direct staff to circulate the attached Skate Park information letter to the citizens of Palm Desert as well as to Desert Sands Unified School District and Palm Springs Unified School District for distribution. DISCUSSION: Per the Mayor's request, the attached information letter regarding the skate park was produced for distribution. The letter states the City's concerns with bicycles, safety gear, supervision, vandalism/graffiti and litter at the skate park and asks the parents and skaters to take responsibility in making sure that the guidelines are followed. A2 Jeff Winklepl ck eviewed and Approved Parks and Recreation Planning Manager Ci Manager PARENTS--WE NEED YOUR HELP!! DEAR PARENTS OF SKATEBOARD AND INLINE SKATE ENTHUSIASTS: The City of Palm Desert is excited about opening Palm Desert's hottest new attraction which provides first-rate recreational opportunities for non-traditional sports enthusiasts, the Palm Desert Skate Park. This is the first and only skate park in the Coachella Valley. A great deal of time and money went in to constructing this state-of-the-art, 15,000 square foot skate park. This has been a wonderful experience for the people who participated in building the facility and for our community. As with all new facilities and parks, there are some growing pains that interested park patrons need to help the City address. Details of our concerns and how you can help are as follows: BICYCLES: Bicycles are not allowed. The mix of bicycles and skaters is extremely dangerous. An enormous amount of research went into this decision. If you would like further explanation, please contact the City at (760) 346- 0611.Please do not ride your bike at the skate park. PARENTS - PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO RIDE THEIR BIKES AT THE SKATE PARK! SAFETY GEAR: Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are required and must be worn. Wrist guards are also required for inline skaters and are suggested for all skaters as wrist injuries are the number one reported injury in skating. HELMETS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO REDUCE THE RISK OF HEAD INJURY BY AS MUCH AS 85% AND THE RISK OF BRAIN INJURY BY AS MUCH AS 88% (as reported by National Safe Kids Campaign). Of those who reported wearing a helmet, 98% said they wore it for safety reasons, 70% because a parent or spouse insisted on it, and 44% because the law required it. PARENTS-PLEASE INSIST THAT YOUR CHILDREN WEAR THEIR HELMETS! SUPERVISION: It is strongly suggested that children under the age of 14 never be left unattended at the skate park. The park is open to the public and extremely busy. The ages of users ranges from 5 to 45 years of age(and possibly older). It is important that parents supervise their children to ensure that they are as safe as possible by insisting they wear their safety gear, to make sure they are not interacting with potentially harmful strangers, and that they do not wander away from the park where they may encounter some type of trouble. VANDALISM & GRAFFITI: Skate park users have been respectful of the park and surrounding areas. Please continue to act in a responsible manner to help insure that vandalism and graffiti do not detract from the purpose of the park. One problem, however, has been after-hours skating. When the gates are locked and the lights are out, the skate park is closed. DO NOT SKATE! Anyone found in the skate park after it is closed is subject to prosecution. LITTER: Please help keep the skate park clean for safety, as well as appearances. If everyone cleans up after themselves and assists in cleaning up for those less thoughtful, our park will continue to be an attractive and enjoyable destination for everyone. PLEASE-WE NEED YOUR HELP IN MINIMIZING THESE PROBLEMS! If the skate park users and their parents do not follow these guidelines voluntarily, additional rules and enforcement may be needed. HELMET PROGRAM!'II! The City of Palm Desert's Healthy Cities committee is currently working on an injury prevention program which promotes the use of helmets among youth. We are in the process of incorporating helmets for skating into this program. The helmets will be multi-use approved and available for a $5 fee. For more information and requirements, please call Frankie Riddle at (760)346-0611 extension 231.