§ 13.44.240. Closing time - Conditions and exceptions - Emergency closing.

A.

Entering or Remaining After Closing Time.

1.

No person shall enter or remain in any city park or portion thereof at any time when the same is closed to the public unless such person is authorized to do so by the city council, the director of the department of recreation, parks and community services or the authorized deputy of any of the above.

2.

The director shall, by appropriate signs or other means, give notice of closing times, and may designate certain areas which will be closed to the public at a regular closing time, regardless of whether or not any outdoor or indoor activity is being or is scheduled to be conducted elsewhere in the park.

B.

Activities After Closing Time. Any portion of a city park or any enclosed building in a city park in which an activity is being conducted or is scheduled to be conducted, with the written permission of the director, shall not be considered closed after the regular closing time to members of the public who are authorized participants in said activity, and who are within the permitted portion of the park, the said building, any paths leading thereto from any street, or any other facility, outdoor area or off-street parking area intended for use in connection therewith, until thirty minutes after the conclusion of the permitted activity. As to other members of the public who are not participants in an activity being conducted or scheduled to be conducted in any portion of a city park, or in any enclosed building therein, the park and all buildings therein shall be considered closed at the regular closing time.

C.

Emergency Closing.

1.

The city council, the director, the chief of police or the fire chief, or their authorized representatives, may direct any park or designated portion thereof to be closed, or at certain times or from time to time when he shall find that the said closing is reasonably necessary for the proper conduct or his authorized representative may direct any park or designated portion thereof to be closed, or at certain times or from time to time when they find that the closing is reasonably necessary for the proper conduct of any activity by the department of recreation, parks and community services, to protect public property or natural resources within said city park or any private or public property or natural resources in the vicinity of the park from damage, or to preserve the public peace or safety in said park or portion of a park or in the vicinity thereof. Such emergency closing or limitation on hours of opening by any of the aforementioned authorities, other than the city council shall not continue in effect after the close of the next regular meeting of the city council unless said council, by resolution, shall affirm said closing or limitation on hours with or without modification.

2.

When a city park or portion thereof is closed to the public by the council, the director, the fire chief or the chief of police, or their authorized representatives, pursuant to the above authority or any other proper authority, no person shall enter said park or closed portion thereof after notice of such closing or fail or refuse to promptly leave the same when requested to do so by any guard, watchman, custodian, special officer, police officer or other person authorized by the council, the director, the fire chief or the chief of police, or their authorized representatives.

(Prior code § 4402.21; Ords. 18841, 23170.)