HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 24-1917INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 24-1917
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
October 22, 2024
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDED REVISIONS TO THE FORT WORTH CITY CODE,
CHAPTER 24 PARK AND RECREATION
The purpose of this Informal Report is to summarize recommended amendments to the Fort
Worth City Code, Chapter 24 Park and Recreation. Amendments will ensure the rules and
regulations governing parks and park facilities reflect current operational standards, update
outdated language, and provide clarification. The Park & Recreation Advisory Board endorsed the
proposed amendments on September 25, 2024.
The Park & Recreation Department (PARD) is responsible for programs governing the
acquisition, improvement, maintenance and operation of all public parks, parkways, lakes and
other recreational areas, and the grounds surrounding all municipal buildings owned or controlled
by the city and provide management and operations to recreation centers, aquatic facilities, golf
courses, the Log Cabin Village, Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge and manage the contracts
for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and the Fort Worth Zoo.
The sections recommended for revision include the following and are attached showing the
redlines:
§ 24-7 DESIGNATED GOLFING AREAS:
Revise to clarify where golfing is allowed and where activities other than golf are not allowed.
§ 24-8 ENTERING CLOSED AREAS, HOURS OF OPERATION:
Revise to change the hours during which parks are open to the public (without a permit) to 5:00
a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (currently 11:30 p.m.). This will allow for consistency throughout the park
system and addresses the increased connectivity to the Trinity River Trail system which operates
5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. under the jurisdiction of the Tarrant Regional Water District.
The Fort Worth Police Department has no objections to the change in closing hours and support
the proposed revision of the closing time from 11:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
In addition, the PARD has historically received numerous requests from residents and
neighborhood associations about the current curfew of 11:30 p.m. primarily for neighborhood
parks generally preferring an earlier closing hour. Currently, there are 10 parks with approved
exceptions for posted hours within the 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. timeframe.
Currently the city code authorizes the director of the park and recreation department shall post
the hours during which the area is open to the public. Unless otherwise posted by the director of
the park and recreation department, the hours during which parks are open to the public are 5:00
a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Because the ordinance allows the director to post hours of operation by
exception there are currently 117 neighborhood parks where hours have been posted as either
5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or dawn to dusk. The remaining neighborhood parks are posted to the
ordinance standard hours of 5:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The current exceptions will remain as
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 24-1917
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
October 22, 2024
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDED REVISIONS TO THE FORT WORTH CITY CODE,
CHAPTER 24 PARK AND RECREATION
posted. The other 174 parks would be posted at the new hours of operation from 5:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m. and would be eligible for a waiver/exception if requested.
§ 24-13 DISCHARGING FIREARMS:
Revise to reflect current laws about open carry.
§ 24-15 TRAFFIC REGULATIONS:
Revise to clarify that it is unlawful for persons to drive vehicles within a park.
§ 24-16 BOTANIC GARDEN:
Remove restrictions at the Botanic Garden that prohibit wading and dog walking. The approved
Master Plan includes an interactive water feature within the Baker -Martin Family Garden. This
revision will also enable activities such as "Dog Days" which are currently offered by exception to
the code on a monthly basis.
§ 24-17 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:
Remove the incorrect wording in the title and remove the requirement of unique single signage
prohibiting alcohol.
§ 24-18 BICYCLES, ROLLER BLADES, SKATEBOARDS, AND OTHER WHEELED VEHICLES
OR EQUIPMENT:
Update to reflect current trends of self-propelled or motor -assisted wheeled equipment.
The PARD estimates the cost to update signage to be approximately $15,000 with an
implementation time of 6 to 8 weeks to allow time for sign procurement and replacement.
Therefore, staff recommends that the new codes become effective January 1, 2025, to allow for
public education and replacement of the park signage.
For questions regarding this information, please contact Richard Zavala, Director, Park &
Recreation Department, at 817.392.5704.
David Cooke
City Manager
Attachment — Current codes with recommended amendments
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
ATTACHMENT - Current Codes With Recommended Amendments
§ 24-7 DESIGNATED GOLFING AREAS.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to practice golf in any portion of a park or recreation area
not designated for *&that purpose; provided, however, that the practice of golf with knit or
plastic balls leis permitted in any open area not specifically designed or designated for
some other specialized activity.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in activities other than golf in areas of a park
or recreation area designatedpecifically for golf.
(1964 Code, § 27-19(7)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1,
passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord.
7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-
1981)
§ 24-8 ENTERING CLOSED AREAS; HOURS OF OPERATION.
It shall be unlawful for any person to enter or remain in any portion of a park or recreation area
which is designated as restricted, or to enter or remain, without a permit, in any park or
recreation area during the hours of the day when such park or recreation area is not open to the
public, or to enter or remain at any time in any park and recreation area which is closed for the
season. The director of the park and recreation department may post the hours during which
teach park and _recreation area is open to the public. Unless otherwise posted by the director of
the park and recreation department, the hours during which parks and recreation areas are open
to the public are 5:00 a.m. to 4410:3&00 p.m.
(1964 Code, § 27-19(9)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1,
passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord.
7337, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-
1981; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 15599, § 5, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-
2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015)
§ 24-13 r RRYI `Tr', DISCHARGING FIREARMS.
It shall be unlawful for any person to --- -r -- botA his or her person or discharge any gun,
pistol, airgun, or firearm of any kind within or across any park or recreation area not designated
for that purpose.
(1964 Code, § 27-19(14))
§ 24-15 TRAFFIC REGULATIONS.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive or propel any motorized vehicle in, over, or
through any park or recreation area except along and upon park drives, streets or boulevards, or
other areas designated for driving purposes.
ATTACHMENT - Current Codes With Recommended Amendments
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to stop, stand, or park da motor vehicle or
stieh w,, to f vehicle t so step stand o ark within the r4ffe fin any park or
recreation area outside of a designated parking space unless:
(1) the motor vehicle has been disabled due to an accident or mechanical failure and
remains within the park or recreation area for a period of less than 24 hours, or
(2) the motor vehicle is temporarily located in the park or recreation area outside of a
designated parking space as directed by a, exeept stieh as may be neeessat=y of ineidental to „-ar'K
peace officer
f any f-kof a-ti
(c) If any motorized vehicle is found within the confines of any park or recreation area in
violation of any rr-ief r,-ovisions 4 this section and the identity of the operator of such vehicle
cannot be determined, the owner or person in whose name such vehicle is registered shall be held
prima facie responsible for such violation.
(d) Persons driving motorized vehicles within a park or recreation area with
the expressed written permission of the 44eeter-Director of the pPark and rRecreation
Department, or the Director's designee, are exempt from the provisions of this
section
(1964 Code, § 27-19(16); Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1,
passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord.
7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-
1981; Ord. 15599, § 9, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-
2015)
Cross-reference:
Motor vehicles and traffic, see Ch. 22
§ 24-16 BOTANIC GARDEN.
It shall be unlawful for any person or persons within the confines of the Botanic Garden of the
e4�,-City to engage in any active recreational or athletic pursuit, including by way of example but
not limitation, horseback riding, archery, horseshoes, kite flying, model airplane flying, fishing,
football, baseball, frisbee, croquet, badminton, golf, chase, motorized and nonmotorized cycling
off designated park drives, swimming, wading, don walk fig of running, and camping. Each and
every rule and regulation enumerated within this article, each and every order and requirement of
the department of park and recreation, any ordinance or general law relating to the maintenance
and preservation of the Botanic Garden for its intended purpose shall be strictly observed and
followed by visitors to the Botanic Garden.
(1964 Code, § 27-19(18)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1,
passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord.
7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-
ATTACHMENT - Current Codes With Recommended Amendments
1981; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff.
10-1-2015)
§ 24-17 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES .
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly ef wiliffilly sell, possess
with the intent to sell, or consume any alcoholic beverage in the following areas:
(1) Within the fenced enclosed areas surrounding any swimming pool, wading pool, or
spray pool within any park of the city;
(2) Within any recreation or community center or the parking lots of any recreation or
community center; or
(3) Within any area of a wildlife preserve.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to intentionally or knowingly ef wiliftilly sell, possess
with the intent to sell, or consume any alcoholic beverage within any area of a park, playground,
or athletic field that has been designated by the park and recreation director
as being an area in which alcohol consumption, sale, or possession is prohibited and has been so
designated by signs indicating such prohibition. ^ sign of signs shall be eenspietiously Poste a
pfohibiting the possession of aleehol as fellew&l
FINED UP TO $500 "
(1964 Code, § 27-19(19)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1,
passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord.
7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-
1981; Ord. 15599, § 10, passed 6-24-2003; Ord. 20718-04-2013, § 1, passed 4-23-2013; Ord.
21877-09-2015, § 1, passed 9-15-2015, eff. 10-1-2015)
Cross-reference:
Alcoholic beverages generally, see Ch. 4
§ 24-18 BICYCLES, ROLLER BLADES, SKATEBOARDS., AND OTHER WHEELED
SPORTS VEHICLES OR EQUIPMENT.
It shall be unlawful for any person to use a bicycle, roller blades, skateboard, or any other
wheeled spermsvehicles or equipment, whether self-propelled or motor -assisted, in designated
parks or recreation areas or any portion of park or recreation areas where such use is prohibited
and has been so designated by signs indicating such prohibition.
(1964 Code, § 27-19(20)) (Ord. 5637, § 1; Ord. 6360, § 1, passed 8-31-1970; Ord. 6681, § 1,
passed 6-5-1972; Ord. 6920, § 10, passed 10-1-1973; Ord. 6945, § 1, passed 1-14-1974; Ord.
7338, § 1, passed 4-26-1976; Ord. 8225, § 1, passed 12-3-1980; Ord. 8255, § 1, passed 1-20-
1981; Ord. 11541, § 1(c), passed 4-12-1994; Ord. 15599, § 11, passed 6-24-2003)