The big picture
Updates to Title 8 of city code—covering parks and recreation—have been in development for a few months with an aim of streamlining Austin's policies tied to parks management.
“There were a lot of different things that needed to be revised from our rules to be incorporated into our code so that we can have assistance in enforcement," parks Director Kimberly McNeeley said in November.
After the Parks and Recreation Department's code review received support from the city's resident parks board last fall, the changes are up for City Council approval this month.
The rule updates or clarifications will cover:
- Geocaching
- Rock climbing
- Slacklining and highlining
- Ziplining
- Using hammocks
- Using remote control toys
- Riding bicycles and micromobility devices
- Diving into the water and swimming
- Waterskiing
- Scattering remains and building memorials
Violations of the policies would be a Class C misdemeanor, generally punishable by up to $500 fines. McNeeley said any enforcement would be up to police discretion.
The details
The changes are mostly aimed at better presenting the rules and informing the public, according to the parks department, and they aren't being rolled out in response to any particular nuisances or challenges encountered by city staff.
"These activities can impact the park environment," spokesperson Kanya Lyons said. "The department's goal is to inform visitors on how to conduct their activities in a safer manner. This will help reduce the impact on trees and the natural area."
While some rules were on the books already, the changes spell out that many of the targeted activities can't take place without park officials' permission or if they violate others' enjoyment of public spaces.
For example, activities like geocaching, rock climbing and waterskiing on city lakes are only allowed with specific approval or in designated places. Slacklining and highlining wouldn't be allowed over waterways or outside of daylight hours.
Parks visitors looking to climb, slackline or use a hammock also can't do so if it would alter natural features like rocks and trees. More vulnerable, thin trees and older heritage trees also can't be used.
The revision would also clarify that micromobility devices like scooters and e-bikes are allowed on certain park trails. The move follows a 2019 city study on the topic and the passage of a state law focused on e-bike regulation.
There has been no increase in complaints about any of the targeted actions, related injuries, or widespread damage to trees or other objects from improper use, according to the department.
