CHAPTER 9.24
SKATEBOARD PARK

SECTION:

9.24.010    Skateboarding And Roller Skating Prohibited In Certain Areas

9.24.020    Prohibitions And Regulations At Skateboard Park

9.24.030    Posting Of Signs

9.24.040    Skateboarding And Roller Skating Outside Of Skateboard Park

9.24.050    Violations; Penalties

9.24.010 SKATEBOARDING AND ROLLER SKATING PROHIBITED IN CERTAIN AREAS:

Skateboarding, roller skating, in line skating and similar activities are prohibited in city parks and recreational facilities unless specifically authorized in areas designated by this chapter. The skateboard park located at 205 Elko Street, the boundaries of which shall be defined by a fence and the signs required by this chapter, is hereby designated and authorized for skateboarding and skating. (Ord. 2003-19, 3-3-2003)

9.24.020 PROHIBITIONS AND REGULATIONS AT SKATEBOARD PARK:

Within the skateboard park it shall be unlawful for any person to:

A.    Ride, operate or use a skateboard or skates unless that person is wearing a properly fitted helmet designed for skateboard and/or skating use, fastened with a chin strap that meets the standards established for "bicycle helmets", as defined in the California Vehicle Code, specifically section 21212; elbow pads designed for skateboard and/or skating use with plastic elbow caps; wrist pads designed for skateboard and/or skating use; and knee pads designed for skateboard and/or skating use with plastic knee caps.

B.    Ride, operate or use a skateboard or skates unless such equipment is in good repair at all times during use.

C.    Enter or use any amenity within the skateboard park while another person is using it, unless said amenity was designed for multiple use.

D.    Place or use additional obstacles or other materials, including, but not limited to, ramps or jumps, within the skateboard park that have not been authorized or erected by the city.

E.    Use the skateboard park amenities when the surface of the amenities is wet or other conditions exist that could adversely affect the safety of skateboarders or skaters.

F.    Enter the skateboard park unless actively skateboarding or skating in accordance with these regulations. Spectators are to remain outside the skating area.

G.    Use, consume or have within his or her custody or control alcoholic beverages, tobacco or illegal or controlled drugs within the skateboard park.

H.    Enter or be within the skateboard park while under the influence of alcoholic beverages or illegal or controlled drugs.

I.    Use or possess glass containers, bottles or other breakable glass products within the skateboard park.

J.    Use or engage in profanity, reckless or boisterous behavior, including, but not limited to, tandem riding, pushing, "horseplay," and "bullying," or any other activity that could endanger the safety of persons using the skateboard park or spectators.

K.    Engage in graffiti, "tagging," or other defacing of any city property or the property of others.

L.    Bring any pet, including dogs and cats, secured or otherwise, into the skateboard park.

M.    Enter or be upon the skateboard park at any time, except during its normal hours of operation. The city council, by resolution, shall determine the hours during which the skateboard park is open for use by the public. Signs stating the hours during which the skateboard park is open shall be posted at the park entrance.

N.    Ride, operate or use any device other than a skateboard or skates. Prohibited devices include, but are not limited to, "BMX" bicycles and other types of bicycles or motor vehicles.

O.    Conduct any type of formal contest within the park without prior written approval of the city. (Ord. 2003-19, 3-3-2003)

9.24.030 POSTING OF SIGNS:

The skateboard park shall be posted with signs at the following locations, at each entrance to the skateboard park:

On the fences of the skateboard park, facing the interior of the park, and at intervals of not less than twenty five feet (25’). The signs shall be not less than two feet by three feet (2’ x 3’) in size and shall use black letters on a white background. The signs may, but shall not be required to, summarize the regulations governing the use of the skateboard park. Each sign shall contain, in letters not less than one inch (1") in height, the following language:

WARNING

Skateboarding and skating are hazardous recreational activities. Use of this facility may result in serious injury or death. The City of Gonzales does not assume any responsibility for injuries or death. Each person entering the skate facility assumes all risk of injury or death (California Health and Safety Code Section 115800.)

It is unlawful for any person to ride, operate, or use a skateboard or skates unless that person is wearing a helmet designed for skateboarding and/or skating use fastened with a chin strap that meets the standards established for bicycle helmets as defined in the California Vehicle Code, specifically Section 21212; elbow pads designed for skateboard and/or skating use with plastic elbow caps; wrist pads designed for skateboard and/or skating use; and knee pads designed for skateboard and/or skating use with plastic knee caps. Such equipment must be in good repair at all times during its use. Any person failing to comply with these regulations who is subsequently injured while using this facility shall be considered negligent. Persons failing to comply with these regulations, and all related regulations contained in the Gonzales Municipal Code, shall be subject to arrest and/or citation and penalties pursuant to Gonzales Municipal Code Chapter 1.16.

(Ord. 2003-19, 3-3-2003; amd. 2003 Code)

9.24.040 SKATEBOARDING AND ROLLER SKATING OUTSIDE OF SKATEBOARD PARK:

A.    As allowed by the California Vehicle Code, nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the city from adopting additional rules and regulations prohibiting or restricting persons from skateboarding, in line skating, or roller skating on highways, sidewalks, or roadways.

B.    Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit the city from adopting additional rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, chapter 8.48 of this code, prohibiting or restricting persons from skateboarding, or skating within the skateboard park or on other city property. (Ord. 2003-19, 3-3-2003)

9.24.050 VIOLATIONS; PENALTIES:

A.    Prosecution: Every act prohibited or declared unlawful, and every failure to perform or act made mandatory by this chapter, shall be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or an infraction as provided in chapter 1.16 of this code.

B.    Confiscation Of Prohibited Items: Every act prohibited or declared unlawful and every failure to perform an act made mandatory by this chapter shall subject the possessor of the prohibited items to confiscation of those items.

C.    Parental Responsibility: The parent or legal guardian having control or custody of an unemancipated minor whose conduct violates this chapter, shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for any fines imposed pursuant to this chapter.

D.    Right To Revoke Privileges: Use of the skateboard park is a privilege. In addition to the criminal and civil penalties set forth herein, the city has the right and authority to revoke, either temporarily or permanently, the privilege to use the skateboard park by any person who does not obey the posted rules and regulations. (Ord. 2003-19, 3-3-2003)