--- ## title: Item Report ## author: Douglas Shumway date: D:20240501220600Z --- ## Item Report August 5, 2026 ## City Council ## Item Number: 8.2 Department: Parks & Recreation Item Activity: Action Prepared By: Perry Vetter, Parks & Recreation Director Item Title: Ordinance 2026-12: Amending Chapter 24 of the Edina City Code Regarding Additional ## Restrictions for Parks and Publicly Owned Properties ## Action Requested: Approve Amending Chapter 24 of the Edina City Code Regarding Additional Restrictions for Parks and Publicly Owned Properties, grant first reading and waive second reading. ## Information/Background: 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. ## Resources/Financial Impacts: Additional permit requests and issuance coordination is likely. However, no identified financial resources are needed at this time. ## Relationship to City Policies/Plans/Budget Pillars: This action will allow City Staff to appropriately address social disruption behavior issues at parks and publicly owned property and require an advance reservation permit from the City of Edina to use such facilities. This should have a positive impact on community relationships in the area of the property. ## Better Together ## Values Impact: ## Health Addressing improper use of park areas by reducing unplanned and unpermitted large group gatherings will improve the social, physical and emotional well-being of park users and improve safety aspects of public areas. Unplanned large groups often result in increased trash, food waste, restroom uncleanliness and traffic due to no advanced planning. Permitted groups are directed to alternate site locations that can best accommodate requests. ## Stewardship The ability to ensure a safe and orderly process for users to reserve and use parks and publicly owned properties allows for improved stewardship of city resources. ## Supporting Documentation: Documents marked with "Board Portal" do not meet ADA Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (URL) and are not included in the public packet. To request a board portal document, please submit a data request (URL). ## None