Title
Request to Amend City Code Section 24-45 Relating to Certain Services in Parks (Ordinance G-7514) - Citywide
Description
Request City Council approval of proposed changes to the City Code revising Section 24-45 relating to Certain Services in Parks (including medical treatment and food distribution services).
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. The City has one of the largest parks systems in the nation that provides residents and visitors more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves that have more than 200 miles of trails; 189 parks; and much more. Parks provide open space and opportunities for recreation and the Department remains steadfast in its commitment to maintain parks that are clean, safe and accessible to the public.
Proposed Ordinance
The proposed Ordinance G-7514 (Attachment A) would revise Sec. 24-45, Certain Services in Parks (currently Safe Medical Treatment in Parks). The proposed Ordinance addresses medical treatment and food distribution services in parks. The intent of the Ordinance is to establish framework for safe, orderly, and fair use and management of the parks and to establish reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on certain service events occurring at parks and thereby protect public health, safety, and welfare by requiring individuals and organizations to obtain permits and comply with applicable regulations.
The Ordinance prohibits the sale, distribution, or exchange of syringes or needles and needle exchange programs and the distribution of needle/intramuscular naloxone. Medical treatment and food distribution activities can take place on park property with an approved permit issued by the Parks and Recreation Department with a maximum number of permits issued for these services of two times, per month, per eligible park. Eligible parks include neighborhood parks with parking lots, community parks and regional parks, excluding sports complexes. Any permitted medical treatment must occur in an enclosed tent or mobile medical vehicle in designated areas which include parking lots and hardscape areas not to include athletic courts. All medical waste, including sharps and bandages, must be removed from the park after treatment.
Medical treatment permits require services to be performed under the supervision of a licensed medical professional operating under the scope of their licensure and permittees must provide indemnification and insurance. The Ordinance does not apply to first responders, family members providing aid to another family member, or any person assisting someone experiencing an emergency, including situations requiring the administration of either intranasal or needle/intramuscular naloxone. It also does not restrict the distribution of intranasal naloxone in either emergency or non-emergency circumstances.
Additionally, Ordinance G-7514 requires any person or organization wishing to conduct a food distribution event in a park, defined as a gathering conducted by a private individual or organization, for charitable or similar humanitarian purposes, at a park, that is planned, organized, or conducted to distribute food to any member of the general public at no cost or for a nominal charge to obtain a permit. Private gatherings where food is served such as family gatherings, picnics, and other social events where food is served only for participants of those events are not food distribution events.
No more than two service-related permits, including food distribution permits, may be issued for the same eligible park in a single calendar month.
If approved, the Ordinance will go into effect on June 5, 2026.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On December 17, 2025, the Phoenix City Council approved the Safe Medical Treatment in City Parks Ordinance (G-7467, Sec. 24-45), which prohibited events designed to provide medical treatment or care to the public unless sponsored or otherwise authorized by approval through an established City process, and banned the sale or exchange of syringes and needles and the sale or distribution of harm reduction kits in City parks and mountain preserves, as defined by Chapter 24 of Phoenix City Code. The ordinance was approved with a delayed effective date of March 30, 2026, with direction to staff to conduct stakeholder engagement.
On March 4, 2026, the Phoenix City Council approved a delayed effective date of the Safe Medical Treatment in City Parks Ordinance (G-7467, Sec. 24-45) to June 1, 2026, to provide time for additional stakeholder engagement.
The stakeholder engagement process took place between January 21 and April 27, 2026. During this time City staff coordinated and/or participated in a total of 19 meetings attended by more than 350 individuals. Parks and Recreation Department staff also provided information at each of the City’s 12 community budget hearings held during the month of April. Stakeholders included park users, neighborhood associations, community leaders, health-care providers, harm reduction organizations, food distribution groups, and service recipients. Stakeholder feedback and direction from the City Council was utilized to draft the revised Ordinance.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Cynthia Aguilar and the Parks and Recreation Department.