HomeMy WebLinkAbout0220.093April St 199]
THB HONORABLE CITY COUtlCIL
Palo Alto, C~lifornia
Greer P~-,!'k. f.I.kateboaxo facility
Members of th~ Council:
20
On Nove!rLber 16, 1992, council directed staff to investigate and
report back to Council on supervision alternatives at the Creer
Park skateboard facility_ This: report is in response to that
request, and recommends continued supervisior~ at the skateboard
facility at 2 I""educed leveL
DackgrouDc3
In April 1990, council authorized inclusion of a SKateboard
facility in the Greer Park Master Plan~ At that time, the facility
was intended to be an open, unsupervised recreation facility to
meet the demands of a growing skateboard population. The facility
opened unsupervised for public use in January of 1991.
Ln May 1991, Th~ city Attorney's office discovered a state statute
requiring "the operator of a skateboard parK" to allow
skateboarding only if skaters wore helmets, elb?w pads and knee
pads. In the opinion of the city Attorney, this code requirement
was never intended to apply to unsupervised public facilities.
However, as a temporary l!leasure~ recreation staff began sJ..pervision
at the facil ity; and th:e protective gear requi n~me_:r.t was
implemented. In tbe-ir.terirn t legislation ·wdS successfull)' pursued
to amend the state statute.
Recently approved legislation, sponsored by ASSEmblyman Byron Sher,
provides an alternative means for cities to satisfy the statutory
requirement for helmets and pads at skateboard facilitjes vithout
providing or.-site supervision. Conditions to satisfy the
l~gislationls requirements are:
1) Adoption by the city of an ordinance requiring any person
riding a skateboard at the facility to 'Wear a helmet, elbo .....
and knee pads;
~l Posting of signs at the facility affording reasonable notice
that any person riding a skateboard in the facility must wear
a helmet, elbow and y~ee pads/ and that any person failing to
do so will be subject to citation under the required
ordinance.
CHR: 220: 93
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Page Two
On November 16, 1992 1 council approved an ontinar.ce ... hich meets the
above stated requirements. This ordinance ~ill be enforced by the
Police Department on A complaint basis only. Council furtni!r
directed st.aff t.o report back ..... i th supervis ior. alt.ernatives
available to the C.i.ty at the Greet" Park. skatE:lboard facility.
Discussion
In reviewing supervision alternatives at the Greer Park skateboard
facility, there are several factors that Council sho~ld consider:
the skateboard tacil it.y is open during daylight bours after school
and for extended periods on weekends, holidays, and during summer
vacations (s-ee attache.d operating schedule, Exhibit A); tt.e hours
of 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. are re$>erved (or skateboarders age 14
years and undez on \leekel".ds and hoI ida:{s, and during sl:un:mer
vacations.
Si~ce imple~entation of this schedule in December 1991, the number
and severity of accidents have been relatively minor. rherc have
b-een a total of ten reported accic.ents, eight of which did not
require any fir~t aid~ One resulted in a broken finger and the
other in a broken ankle. The relatively lc~ level of accidents and
their seriousness may be attributable in part to the presence of
continued supervision.
other benefits from supervision include:
1) Enforcement of the rule3 and regulations requiring partici
pants to wear protective gear, as well as those prohi.biting
bikes~ rollerblades and alcohol.
2:) Enforcement of youth only bours.
3} The ability to respond quickly if th~re is an accident~
4} Control of vandalic;m and graffiti.
There is no question that the presence of staff at the skateboard
facility has had a positive impact upon use and safety. There are,
however, fiscal costs to support continued supervision at current
levels.. The annual operation cost is $30, COO for part-time staff
to supervise the bOw'l during the hours of operation indicated on
Exhibit "Ar., Houes of operation, Adequate training and management
of staff impose addi tiona!, but importa.nt, indirect cost;s not
quantifiable in strictly dollar terms.
There are. tour opt~ons staff has considered regarding staffing
levels at the Gr~er Park skateboard facility:
1. Maintain the current staffing levels, as outlined in the
attached Exhibit "An-, at an annual cost of approximately
$30,000. This option continues the positive impact that
supervision has had upon use and safety at the f~cjlity.
CMR: 220: 93
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Page Three
It is not consistent vith the original inten~
that 'Was designed to operate unsupervised~ and
t~e oP?O~tunity to test the ef~ectiveness
legislation.
for a facility
does not allo .......
of the Sher
2. Supervise. youth only hours, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on .'eek
ends and holid,J.Ys and during summer vacation l for an annua 1
cost of approximately $10 1 OOO~ This option attemcpts to
provide a safe and slJpe.rviaed tlse during specified hours for
the conununity's younger and less experienced s.y.aters~
3. Eupervision of youth hours and peak use times at a cost of
$20,OCO. This option provides the id<"!ntified benefits of
continued supervision. It is difficult to identify Npeak use"
periods. Use patterns are subject to change and much he.s to
do ~ith weather conditions.
4. Oiscontinue all supervision of the facility, ~ith an annual
cost of $1, COO for staff to open, inspect, and close the
facility on a daily basis~ This option maxi.::!lizes the impact
of the recent legislation. Ho .... ·ever, the positive impact that
supervision has had upon use and safety may be reduced, and
younqer skaters would have no exclusive and supervised use
periods. This 'W'ou~_d :'ZIost likely reduce use by younger
skaters.
llec:o mm en t!&tion
Staff recommends that Council approve option number tT,.,·o, super-
vision of the skateboard facility during youth only hours, at an
annual cost of $10,000. That amount 'Would bE' included ir. the
community Services/Recreation Division budget beginning FY 93-94.
This option would ensure safe and supervised use for the com
ltIunity's; younger skaters during specified hours. Signs .... 'ould be
posted stating that skaters are required to ~ear helm~ts, elbow and
knee pads, in accord~nce .ith the Sher legislation. Staff ~ould
monitor usage and compliance ~ith the posted rules and regulations
by conducting random spot-checks at the facility. Should further
problems or issues arise, staff will report back to Council.
;p;;:]~;;z:~
Dan Williams
Director, Recreation,
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Attachment
CMR:220:9J
Director, community services
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EXHIBIT "loti
GREER SKATEBOARD FACI~ITY
HOORS O~ OFERATION
weekdays
November 1 through April 1» 1 pin to
April 1 through End of School ¥ear"*-t-1 pm to
Summer vacation .. B am to
Start of school through October 31** 1 pm to
fieeke:J:(ls
5 pm a am to 5 pm"
6 pm B am to 6 pm>
e pm 8 am to B pm*
6 pm 8 am to 6 pm'
• Youth only hours shall be 8 a.rn to 1 pm on lJe.ekends, holidays and
during summer vacation.
** School year ana holidays shall mean those dates deteL~ined by the
Palo Alto UnifieQ School District in any given year.
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