AgdaPkt 2002-08-12 - Laserfiche WebLink

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To the Honorable Mayor and .C..ity CoUncil From the C~ty Manager/ August 12, 2002 Subject Skate Park Facility Ordinance and Rules and Regulations Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council introduce an amendment to the Redwood City Municipal Code by renumbedng Chapter 25, Article 1, Section 25.1.17 (Violations and Penalties) to 25.1.25; and adding a new section 25.1.17 Skateboard Facilities owned or operated by the City. Background Prior to 1997, existing laws provided that neither public entities nor public employees are liable to any person who participates in a hazardous recreational activity. Skateboarding was not on that list until more and more public agencies began constructing and operating skate parks. In February 1997, when the California Assembly passed AB 1296 (Morrow), which states that "skateboarding at a public skateboard park is to be listed as a hazardous recreational activity". With the passage of AB 1296, public agencies could feel more comfortable building needed recreational facilities for this type of sport. AB 1296 required a change in Section 115800 of the Health and Safety Code, which was amended to inclUde the following: (a) No operator of a skateboard park shall permit any person to ride a skateboard therein, unless that person is wearing a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. (b) With respect to any facility, owned or operated by a local public agency, that is designed and maintained for the purpose of recreational skateboard use, and that is not supervised on a regular basis, that requirements of subdivision (a) may be satisfied by compliance with the following: (1) Adoption by the local public agency of an ordinance requiring any person riding a skateboard at the facility to wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads. (2) The posting of signs at the facility affording reasonable notice that any person riding a skateboard in the facility must wear a helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads, and that any person failing to do so will be subject to citation under the ordinance required by paragraph (1).