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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0265.0911 , May 23. 1991 THE HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL Palo Alto~ California Greer Park Skateboard Facility Members o~ the Council: Report in Brief: .... c on March 7 I 1991, staff provided council with an informational report regarding the newly-opened skateboard facility at Greer Park. Staff indicated that it would return to Council with a. status report and any needed recommendations reqarding th3 facility~ This report discusses the status of activity at the facility and presents those recommendations. Background: The major concerns raised by neighbors, staff and users are: 1. consumption of alcohol in and around the skateboard facility. 2~ Litter and trash around the skateboard facility and the parI<. J. Graffiti in the skateboard bowl, on park signaqe and in are~s surrounding the park. 4. Increased skateboardinq in the neighborhood, especially on private property. s. Use of the skateboard facility early in the ~orninq and at night after the park is closed. 6. A perceived: increase in the number of incidents of injury to skateboard users. staff suggested givinq the skating co_unity an opportunity to address these concerns and to provide leadership and advice to help solve these problems. The skaters are proud to have the park and appreciate the opportunity to 'Work -witb the city to keep the skateboard tacility open. Operation of skateboard Facility: since the last report to Council, staff has aet with local skaters on Karch 5, April 1, April 10 and May 7. Skaters and Recreation CMR:265:91 o Page Two atarr developed a pamphlet to be distributed to the skatinq community. (see Attachment A). The graphic was modified tor the second printing on May 22 to r~flect the use of protective qear~ Local akaters are helping distributa the pamphlet. copies are al50 available through two retailers. One of the skate_rs assumed the responsibility of distributlnq the pamphlet through the immediate Greer Park neiqhborhood. Skaters and staff are meeting the first Wednesday of each month at 8:00 p ••• at Lucie stern Community Center to discuss any concerns about the facility and to educate the skaters about its operation. Meetinqs are open to the public. Fire Chief Bob Wall was present at the April 10 meeting to strongly encourage skaters to wear protectIve gear, including helmets. Aa a reuult of these aeetinqs# a number of ~ctions have been taken to address the concerns listed above. AcSditional garbage cans have ~en installed, regular pick-up has been scheduled and a recycling unit has been installed. The skaters have volunteered to pick up 1i tter # and the 1i tter pr-oblea is now ,mder control. Permanent signs have been installed listing skateboard park rules~ The rules prohibit skateboarding on private property and graffiti in the park# except in the skateboard bowl itself. There viII be a total oL eiqht signs posted at the skate facility. These rules have been approved by the City' B Risk .Manager and the city Attorney. (see Attachment B) Proposed regulations relating to the operation of the skateboard facility are also posted (See Attachment C). This report constitutes notice to the council of the proposed requlations. The regulations viII become, in effect t a part of the Municipal Code fifteen days following the council meeting on May 28, 1991. (PAMe Section 22.04.030.) The construction fence around the sJcatebowl will be removed in June after the qrass areas have been adequately established. This ~ill contribute to a better general atmosphere at the park, since skaters will not be crowded so close together. In addition, a public phone at the Greer Park restroo.s has been installed# and signs at the skateboard park list the location of the phone. Another pay phone will be installed close to the skateboard park by June 1S t 1991. In case of an emeI~ency. this phone will be more accessible than the one on the other .ide of the park. Each Saturday since March 2~t one Recreation statf lIember has monitored park usage to allow only youth 14 years of age ar.d under to skate between 8::00 a.1II. and 11:00 a~1II. Staff reports that there have been no problems with these hours# and the older skaters CKR:265:91 -- . , .'- page Thr •• / r '-- .. understand the need to allow the younger skaters the time to skate. Older skaters have offered to help the younger skaters with technique. durinq this ti.e. Staff has not been pre&ent to supervise the park during this time 6 but to verify the aqe of the .lc:atera .. If a ban on alcohol in parks is passed" the skate1>oard" facility vill be included in this ban. If a ban on alcohol in parks is not passed, statt and the skatinq community recommend that council approve the attached draft ordinance banning alcohol use inside the skateboard park. safety Requirement: On May 15, 1991,. the City Attorneyfs Office advis.ed the city Kanager that a provision of the Californi& Health and Safety Code required any operator of a skateboard park to require skaters to wear helllets, knee pads and elbow pads While using the facility. The City Attorney's Office has requested the leqislative history of the law in order to determine wbether the provision applies to the city, and if so, ~hether supervision of the facility is required. Th. City Attorney will advise the council on this matter under separate cover. :In the interim period lind on the assumption that the state law applies, the follo~ing changes have been made: 1. Skateboard Park hours of 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.lI. have been establ is'hed. This action also addresse9 the neighbors' concerns about excessive use of the facility. 2.. Siqns are nov posted at the park to advise skaters of the helmet, knee pad and elbow pad requirement. 3.. Recre.ation staff is supervising the skateboard facility durinq its hours of operation seven days a week. 4. Saturday bours from 8:00 a.lD. to 11:00 a.lD. will remain desi~ted for skaters 14 and under. staff has met with local skaters to explain the new requirements. Their response thus far has been encouraging. staff is also considering ways in which an equipment rental concession can be established. Future Act. tor.: Staff suggests monitoring the skateboard facility for the next six months, reviewing police and fire service calls. We will report back to council at the end or that time. Recreation staff will continue to .eet with local skaters at monthly Wednesday evening 0!R:26S:91 -'c-:-----________ " • \ , . • .' / o o Page Pour .eetinqso Both staff and local skaters feel there may be de-cr-eased out-of-town usaqe as the newness of the facility wears off. The Recreation Division 1s arranqing skating cl~sSES to promote .kill an~ safety for skateboardere. There is also the possibility of akatinq demonstrations with the S1J.pport of local blJ:siness. CIaasea will be fee baaed and desiqned to c~~er direct costs. Staff will continue to designate 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.a. Saturday sessions tor youth 14 years of age and under. statf vill also explore the possil>ility of adding one session tor this 9rouP during the week .. Both staff and the sltaters i!l:re anxious to work tog-ether toward the 8uccesstul operation ot this facility, and staff is confident that this ca. .. be eocomplished. The local sleating community will continue the public awareness campaign to edu~ate skaters about the .kati·~J facility and the rules, regulations and expectations of the community. Reco ... ndations: staff recolDDlends that Council approve the attached ordinance banning alcohol use inside the skateboard facility, if Council has not otherwise banned alcohol in all of the. parks. Respectfully submitted. ~W.~ er Attachments. Pamphlet RUles Regulations Ordinance Related CKR's. 135,91 166:91 CMR.26S:91 Paul Thiltgen Director, Community Services I" , , ·, '. ....... / .~ ............................ ~/--------------" Itqq. I.cJW l'foqulrE"/ "Stal:e law reqtires sKa'Ief's to 'Mar holmets. k:"l9& pads and eborrw pads wrwle using this facTI1)',· lJotaq. J)Q~ !-tour/ 6 a.,.... to 6 p.,.... ----~ ...... III1 ........ ···~··~~ r------. -=-.--- " / , . L - "M . -' . . .,. ", -' . .. '. / .. ,- ~" . " r A ~W Yf'q~qO ••• local skaters were tired b~f8d Jor skati'lg in dowr1!DW'n Alto So, Uley organized, spake at ~ council rneelw.gs :md gahlorod commlJllity St:pport. AI abOut the same 'time, city offK:ials were plan~1ng It;e construction of Phase: "of Greer Park and thought that lhis might be a good place fa. ~n. skateparlL Some members of the r.eighborhaod and the communily were oppowd to its conslruction, hut fhe City Counc\j fell: it would be a good adcfrlkln to !he park. A"'., m\JCh di'SC~on. 1ha ska~ board' park was ~igMd and approlfeoj. The ~ opened in Jam.Jary of 1991 1040W ••• ~noe January, lI"1e neighbors and city staff ha....a been having a isw probiems. Their biggest concerns haW! been: II People drinking & skarrng tlLittering in It\e ~ atld 5.lJ.f1ourding ne:ghborhood • Grafitti all 0\191' ~ paM< • La!& night & eany moming skatoboarding and ~atlng on f'tEllghborhood priV81e property II Yourger ska1efS were a ifttje Intimidated by otder aoo. larger si<..atars II Ger."aI _~. a! tho "'_ fociity L - $, 1119 SOme of 1'hit local Si<;ata~ hal1'II blM.n rileet­ ing to ~ 11r9 ~ to soi'IB ~ prob­ lems without ~rtlr'lg tc major-rest:idions local skaters came up with thrs _ f'I.j[ ~ to""3"" [htl car.,; .... ~&d i",~ 0""':$ prE~ -, _ Graffi~ i~ ~ III the txlW' Do"~:ag:t1e !Iogn~ In :!>.­ t'1Io.srQI~ .. ~ • Ooo·t ... .iUe' 0<1 tr.","'bI;& <1P'1~~Cli\t>e """"""""", • Sfm;rCII, r'P'IOo'''''''ii ~.! _lO '1 .,., '" IQr 8ka~"I t .. .-..:I ",nd...- • 1/,.0... are I local ~ ...... "'" -ir'd are ;MJ)o<lI!il9d n ~rg ~ ~~ iI"I!,~ ~~~ Ie aIldreSli M'J probie."., vow 141 at ~:l11he '"'IOOt~~ hfhd 1"1'" 1QI w.d~ ell ~ ncJ<"t'1 .,. Luc.. 5""..., Commurti!)' C..,titl'.'lQS ~'lE"c ~,;lab AlIE'Ill'pm • J)'Uu""~ til ~o.aJ'" SG""oSt"1,'>g ...... ~..., .... ~'S ,o.a. ..... kICI_ 111. ,,"'(lEO""" ~ yO<J rf<y,'L oor~ ':::O"';'a.~,' som~ thto .... ~ pa;'o ",,'3 '"~ .. ,~ W'C • ''''''';;l:r. wo:.<k.t. ot">&r emll!i at; ()<oQ< ~ <:OI."~"i rnqlDlKlw PaJo ~11II:l·t ;uar-~ and 'Jpaf" ':!1 .. " ~r hlabc.arcl p.ark~ So tie <DOlI J • , " ~.r ,J •• . ... Attaohment B GlUU!lI PlUlI SDTBBOARD pl\CILIn PLZAeB OBSERv.I ROLES SKATE AT YOUR OWl{ !USJ( USE OF SKATEBOAlIJ) PARI: IS RESTRICTED TO SKATEBOAlIDS ONLY NO SKATEBOAlIDING WHEIf WET OR RAINY PU'l' TRASH IN TRASH CANS PROVIDED SKATEBOARD ONLY OOl>ING POSTED PARY. HOORS SKATEBOARD BOWL GRAFFITI OJ(. PARK IS OFF LIMITS FOR GRAFFITI DON'T SKATEBOARD ON NEIGHBORHOOD CURBS AND DRIVEWAYS USE OF SKATEBOAlIJ) BOWL SATURDAY !!ORNING 8:00Al! TO ll:OOAl! ONLY FOR SKATEBOARDERS AGE 14 AND llNPER TELEPHONE IS LOCATED AT GREER PARK RESTROOMS NO GLASS 8O'rI'LES IN SKATEBOARD PARI( AREA FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CALL CITY OF PALO ALl'O RECREATION, 329-2510. .-~---.. ---- < , -·f ' . .,;~ ;:-> " ,;:. :~~-:~- o GRBB. PUIt 8 D'1'IIBOaRII nCI LIn IIIIGIILA'UOJIS Attac!ulent C ALCoHOLIC BEVERAGES PROHIBITED IN SKATEBOARD FACILITY IlEIllETS. lQlEE PADS AND ELBOW PADS ARE REQUIRED WHILl! USING THIS FACILITY -_Of.