Visalia Municipal Code Art. 3 Closure of Parks and Recreation Facilities During Designated Hours

A. It is unlawful for any person to remain in park and recreation facilities (except as noted in Section 12.32.035) during the designated hours of closure. Except as provided by subsection B., the designated hours of closure for park and recreation facilities shall be between the hours of 10:00 p.m. to and through 5:00 a.m. of the following day.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to remain in Lincoln Oval Park, Pappas Park, Provident Skate Park, Recreation Park, Rotary Park and Seven Oaks Park (except as noted in Section 12.32.035) from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. during the summer season and from 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. during the winter season. The changes in park hours shall coincide with daylight savings time. (Ord. 2019-07 § 2 (part), 2019: Ord. 2014-10 § 2 (part), 2014: prior code § 5290)

Section 12.32.030 shall not apply to any person in a park or recreation facility when such a person is participating in, going to, or coming from an activity which is either sponsored or co-sponsored by a public entity, or is carrying on such activity pursuant to a valid permit or license issued by the city. Said Section 12.32.030 shall further not apply to any peace officer or other duly authorized public employee acting within the course and scope of his/her employment.

(Ord. 2024-09 § 2 (part), 2024: Ord. 2019-07 § 2 (part), 2019: Ord. 2014-10 § 2 (part), 2014: prior code § 5291)

The City Manager or designee shall have the authority to change the designated hours of closure required by Section 12.32.030 for a designated period of time or indefinitely. In the event that the designated hours for any park and recreation facility are changed pursuant to this section, the hours of closure designated by this section shall be posted in accordance with the requirements of Section 12.32.045. Said action shall be taken when the City Manager determines that circumstances exist justifying the modification of the designated hours of closure for any park and recreation facility in order to prevent the occurrence of dangerous, unlawful, or impermissible activities. (Ord. 2019-07 § 2 (part), 2019: prior code § 5292)

Each park and recreation facility subject to closure during specified hours pursuant to this article shall be properly and appropriately posted. Signs setting forth the hour and time of closure and reopening of the park and recreation facility as provided in this article shall be posted at or near entrance ways to said park and recreation facility, or in otherwise conspicuous locations as determined by the City Manager or designee. Said signs shall be not less than one square foot in area and shall contain lettering, not less than one-half inch in height, identifying the hours during which the park and recreation facility shall be closed, and further advising the public that entry to the park and recreation facility or remaining on the facilities' grounds between the designated hours is a violation of law. In the event that there are no clear and obvious entrance ways or natural or manmade barriers which prohibit access to or entry upon a park or recreation facility subject to this article, signs shall also be posted at intervals of up to 1,500 feet, or at shorter intervals when necessary to provide adequate notice and otherwise maintain visibility from the public right-of-way along the perimeter of the facility accessible to the public.

(Ord. 2024-09 § 2 (part), 2024: Ord. 2019-07 § 2 (part), 2019: prior code § 5293)

The City Manager or designee shall have the authority to temporarily close any park and recreation facility or portion thereof and require the exit of all persons therein when the City Manager or designee determines that conditions exist at or in said park and recreation facility or portion thereof which present a hazard to the park and recreation facility or to the health and safety of the public, or for the purposes of constructing or maintaining park and recreation facilities and/or associated park amenities. The City Manager or designee shall have the authority to temporarily close any park and recreation facility or portion thereof at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular or stated intervals, and either entirely or merely to certain uses, as the City Manager or designee shall find reasonably necessary to achieve the objectives of this section. (Ord. 2019-07 § 2 (part), 2019)

Any person violating the provisions of this article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to the penalties set forth in Section 1.12.010. (Ord. 2019-07 § 2 (part), 2019: Ord. 2014-10 § 2 (part), 2014: prior code § 5294)