INNISFAIL – A long awaited update to the Town of Innisfail’s Parks Bylaw has finally been approved and will include a new amendment for Centennial Park’s troubled parking lot.
The updated Parking Bylaw was first introduced to council earlier this year by Gary Leith, manager of fire and protective services, during serious discussions over repeated acts of hooliganism in the parking lot at Centennial Park but council then veered away to look at whether a gate would be a more effective deterrent.
The latter idea, which was favoured by Mayor Jean Barclay, was ultimately rejected by the rest of council.
The new updated Parks Bylaw was unanimously passed by council on Dec. 12 after three readings.
“I'm satisfied that we're taking the steps forward and doing this and time will tell whether it helps with some of the issues we've had. So, I'm hoping that it will, and we will see going forward,” Barclay told the Albertan on Dec. 16. The mayor was then asked if the gate issue could be brought back to council.
“We'll see if this solves the issues that we've had, and we can make determinations in the future.”
The revised bylaw, which covers all town parks, is an update from the previous one that was approved in 2006.
Council was told through Leith’s report the updated Parks Bylaw regulates access to behaviours and events in town parks.
It also includes updated or new definitions for e-bikes and scooters, as well as for camping regulations, including a lodging prohibition in a vehicle.
Quiet hours are set from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. when the park “shall be free from excessive noise” that could disturb the sleep of nearby residents, said Leith’s report, adding the park will be closed during quiet hours.
As for Centennial Park, Leith said the new amendment now defines its parking lot as part and parcel of the park.
“For enforcement purposes that definition had to be in there,” said Leith. “That was an omission from the original one (bylaw) in 2006. This allows us to carry out some enforcement action if required if we have some antisocial behavior.
“After those quiet hours in the parking lot we can turn around and tell people to leave and they are in breach of the bylaw because the park is essentially closed, although the trails are still open.”
But will it make a difference in controlling the anti-social behavior that repeatedly disrupted the lives of nearby residents?
“I'm hoping it will deter it. It also gives us some more teeth in the respect of enforcement if we require it,” said Leith. “It's quite clear if there's activities in the parking lot after 11 p.m. enforcement can take place and they can be asked to leave. As part of the bylaw the parking lot is not officially to be used after 11 p.m. at night.”
Outside the new Centennial parking lot amendment, Leith said there were other reasons for updating the Parks Bylaw, noting back in 2006 e-bikes were not an issue.
The updated bylaw has a new comprehensive schedule of penalties for a wide range of infractions, and e-bikes are included.
They must respect a maximum speed of 20 km/h on a pathway or park roadway. The first offence fine for speeding is $150, and $250 for second and subsequent offences.
For a first offence of engaging in unsafe behaviour likely to cause injury to others, possessing any firearm and creating an unlawful fire in a park, the fine will be $500. If any accused is facing a second and subsequent offence they will have to go to court.
“With respect to the amounts, they are in line with what we saw in other communities because we reviewed all their bylaws as well,” said Leith.
