Title
Proposed Ordinance Changes to Align Phoenix City Code with the Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct (Ordinance G-7466) - Citywide
Description
Request City Council approval of proposed changes to the City Code amending Sections 24-36, 24-38, 24-42, 24-48, 24-54, and adding new Sections 24-32, and 24-55 to better align City Code with the Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct.
Report
Summary
The mission of the Parks and Recreation Department (Parks) is to build healthy communities through parks, programs and partnerships, and make Phoenix a better place to live, visit, and play. With one of the largest parks systems in the nation, the City provides residents and visitors with more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves with more than 200 miles of trails; 189 parks; and much more. Parks provide open space and opportunities for recreation. The Department remains steadfast in its commitment to enhance park safety and continues to use a variety of methods to address and reduce negative behaviors and security concerns in parks.
Code of Conduct and Park Rangers
In 2021, the Parks and Recreation Board approved the Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct. The goal of the Code of Conduct is to promote behavior that allows everyone to enjoy clean, safe, accessible, and inviting parks, facilities, and programs by providing clear expectations of acceptable behavior in flatland parks, desert and mountain parks and preserves, and other park facilities (collectively referred to as "parks"). The Code of Conduct, which includes trespass authority, was written in partnership with the community and several City departments, including the Law Department, the Prosecutor’s Office, and the Police Department.
Urban Park Rangers are dedicated to patrolling the City’s 189 flatland parks twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. With the support of the Phoenix City Council, the Urban Park Ranger team has grown from 12 Park Rangers in 2019, to a team of 44 today. The objectives of the Park Ranger Program include maintaining safe and welcoming parks for all park users. Park Rangers assist daily in the proactive education and enforcement of the Code of Conduct. Urban Park Rangers educate the public about park rules, enforce the Code of Conduct, address common violations, and issue citations or trespass notices. In 2025, through November, Park Rangers averaged more than 62 daily park visits and approximately 41 daily educational and enforcement contacts that resulted in educating on and/or enforcing Code of Conduct violations. Partnerships with the Phoenix Police and Fire departments, as well as the Office of Homeless Solutions, have enhanced responses in high-activity areas. In addition, the Office of Homeless Solutions continues to support encampment response, outreach, and safe cleanup efforts. Daily monitoring enables early intervention in high-activity areas.
Police Department Trespass Authority on Park Property
Parks staff have worked with the Police and Law departments to streamline trespass enforcement. A system for sharing active trespass data with Police Officers is in place and has resulted in improved efficiency of Officers' ability to take related enforcement action. A long-term digital solution is currently in development to further enhance information sharing and efficiency.
Proposed Ordinance Changes and New Ordinance
Phoenix City Code has not been updated to reflect the Code of Conduct since it was approved by the Parks and Recreation Board in 2021. In collaboration with the Law Department, Parks has developed proposed changes to better align City Code with the Code of Conduct. The ordinance changes are designed to enhance park safety and ensure the City of Phoenix parks system remains welcoming and safe and provides enjoyable spaces for all.
The proposed Ordinance G-7466 (Attachment A) aligns existing prohibited behavior described in the Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct with the City Code, to provide for efficient and consistent enforcement as follows:
- New Sec. 24-32 Penalties. - Although penalties currently exist for every section, there are several sections in Sec. 24 that do not currently list a penalty within each specific section. Placing the language for the penalty within each section makes the penalty easier to locate for enforcement. It also allows varying penalties amongst the sections should the need arise in the future. It also authorizes the issuance of a Trespass Notice when appropriate.
- Sec. 24-36 - Entering park areas closed to public use. - Adds language that includes use “during posted hours of operation” to match the Code of Conduct.
- Sec. 24-38 Spiritous liquor in parks. - Adds Class 1 misdemeanor penalty within the section.
- Sec. 24-42 Restrictions on smoking and fires in parks and mountain preserve areas. - Defines smoke and smoking and adds a prohibition for vaping in the ordinance. The ordinance currently allows the Director to post signs prohibiting smoking and fires in parks and mountain preserve areas. The proposed changes add language to allow the Director to post these restrictions at any time. It includes the existing penalty provision in the section.
- Sec. 24-48 Water activities: bathing, swimming or wading; boating; ice or water sliding; fishing. - Section expanded to prohibit bathing in any fountain, hydrant, drinking fountain, sink or water amenity not intended for such use at a park or preserve. Adds Class 1 misdemeanor penalty within the section.
- Sec. 24-54 Order to leave park; unlawful failure to comply. - Adds the phrase “compliance with law” and adds a trespass provision. Clarifies that the chapter is an exercise of the police power of the City for the preservation and protection of the natural environment, public peace, health, safety, and welfare, which aligns with the City’s Charter status.
- New Sec. 24-55 - Obstructing park guests or amenities. This new section addresses obstruction of use of amenities and proper use of amenities and provides a misdemeanor penalty within the section.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager David Mathews and the Parks and Recreation Department.