LA COUNTY STATEMENT ON BALL/FRISBEE-THROWING ORDINANCE

LA COUNTY STATEMENT ON BALL/FRISBEE-THROWING ORDINANCE

 LOS ANGELES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BEACHES AND HARBORS

                     

MEDIA STATEMENT ON BALL/FRISBEE-THROWING ORDINANCE

OVERVIEW:

The new ordinance lifts a decades-old, all-out ban on playing football, Frisbee and other ball on the beach. Its intention was not to preclude football or Frisbee tossing.

 Rather, its purpose is to allow ball playing, while providing reasonable safety measures that lifeguards may impose on a crowded beach day, when wayward footballs or Frisbees could cause injuries to bystanders.

The ordinance allows football play, Frisbee and other ball play during the off-peak beach season.

In the summer months, when millions of visitors come to L.A. County beaches, lifeguards have the

authority to stop a game if it threatens safety in crowded areas of the beach. If necessary, a

citation may be issued by law enforcement or Department Code Enforcement Officers to

individuals who ignore the lifeguards’directives on ball playing.

Even during the peak season, the rule does allow for games in specially designated parts of the

beach.

SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE:

The newly revised Beach Ordinance does not ban footballs, soccer balls, or Frisbees on L.A.

County beaches.  Instead, the Ordinance provides a set of guidelines for safe ball playing at the

beach.

Beachgoers may throw, kick, or roll any ball or light object on L.A. County beaches during the offpeak season between Labor Day and Memorial Day as long as persons or property are not

endangered, and may do so year-round in established and/or designated areas or if they receive

permission from the Department of Beaches and Harbors or a lifeguard.

VIOLATION:

If the ball-playing code section is violated, the violation is an infraction punishable by a fine in

accordance with California Government Code section 25132 as follows:

(b) “Every violation determined to be an infraction is punishable by (1) a fine not exceeding

one hundred dollars ($100) for a first violation; (2) a fine not exceeding two hundred dollars

($200) for a second violation of the same ordinance within one year; (3) a fine not

exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for each additional violation of the same ordinance

within one year.”

Additional related LA County Media Releases:

MuniCode update 1/24/12 http://is.gd/UMyrxG

Analysis http://is.gd/Osq0KA (CBS)                  

Original Source: http://calfire.blogspot.com/2012/02/la-county-statement-on-ballfrisbee.html

 Media Contact: Carol Baker
Phone: (310) 305-9562                          
Cell:     (310) 947-1679
February 9, 2012                  CBaker@bh.lacounty.gov

Twitter @OccupyCalParks

California State Park Closure List and Map

May 13, 2011

California State Parks today announced a plan to close up to 70 of its 278 parks due to budget cuts. The closures are necessary to achieve an $11 million reduction in the next fiscal year 2011/12, that amount increasing to $22 million in the following fiscal year 2012/13.

"We regret closing any park", said Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks, "but with the proposed budget reductions over the next two years, we can no longer afford to operate all parks within the system."

"These cuts are unfortunate, but the state's current budget crisis demands that tough decisions be made," said Resources Secretary John Laird. "Hopefully, the legislature will agree to allow California voters to decide whether we extend currently existing taxes or make deeper cuts to our parks."

State Parks had three primary goals for developing the closure methodology: (1) protect the most significant natural and cultural resources, (2) maintain public access and revenue generation to the greatest extent possible and (3) protect closed parks so that they remain attractive and usable for potential partners. The methodology was included in the budget bill approved by the legislature and the governor in March.

Despite the large number of parks identified for closure, at least 92% of today's attendance will be retained, 94% of existing revenues will be preserved, and 208 parks will remain open. State Parks believes the methodology developed preserves and protects parks critical to the mission, which provide for the diversity of experiences wanted by visitors across the state. For instance, State Parks has a variety of state historic parks, state beaches, state recreation areas, state nature reserves and state parks and most of the parks in all categories will remain open to serve the diverse preferences of park visitors.

"With this announcement, we can begin to seek additional partnership agreements to keep open as many parks as possible," added Coleman. "We already have 32 operating agreements with our partners - cities, counties and non-profits - to operate state parks, and will be working statewide to expand that successful template."

Notes On Closures

State Parks anticipates full park closures related to the proposed budget reductions will occur by July 2012. The parks on the closure list are expected to be open this summer and reservations for this summer will be honored.

MAP - State Parks anticipates full park closures related to the proposed budget reductions will occur by July 2012. The parks on the closure list are expected to be open this summer and reservations for this summer will be honored.

Park Closure Methodology

Statewide Significance: The statewide significance of the parks based on the department's established lists of Outstanding and Representative Parks as well as the California State History Plan and the California State Parks Survey of 1928 (authored by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.).

Visitation: In order to protect public access.

Fiscal Strength: Estimated net savings from closure for each unit.

Ability to Physically Close: Some units are easily closed to public access while others cannot be physically closed.

Existing Partnerships: Units with substantial concession operations and/or nonprofit support.

Infrastructure: Some units suffer from unstable infrastructure (primarily water and wastewater treatment facilities). Recent or proposed Capital Outlay investments were also considered.

Land Use Restrictions: Known deed restrictions and grant requirements. Parks will continue to work with the National Park Service to protect access to our Land and Water Conservation Fund parks. 

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