Laserfiche WebLink
CITY ATTORNEY <br />Sonia R. Carvalho <br />CITY MANAGER <br />Alvaro Nuñez <br />CITY CLERK <br />Jennifer L. Hall <br />20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702 <br />TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org <br />Councilmember-Requested Item Report <br />DATE <br />February 17, 2026 <br />TOPIC <br />Updating Park Rules to Make City Parks More Welcoming and Easier to Use <br /> <br />COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE <br />Discuss and Consider Directing the City Manager to Direct Staff to Update Park Rules <br />to Allow Picnicking, Park Vending, Expanded Skate Park Use, and Simplify Permit <br />Requirements <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br />In Santa Ana, City parks are shared public spaces that support recreation, family <br />gatherings, youth activities, and community life. Santa Ana’s 49 parks and open space <br />areas comprise five large city parks, 18 community parks, 12 neighborhood parks, 11 <br />pocket parks, and three urban plazas. Many of the rules governing City parks in Santa <br />Ana Municipal Code (SAMC) Chapter 31 were adopted decades ago and no longer <br />reflect how parks are commonly used today. <br />Under current regulations, activities such as picnicking, small group gatherings, and <br />vending are either prohibited or require permits even when they do not meaningfully <br />impact park operations. In addition, recreation trends have evolved, including increased <br />use of non-motorized scooters in skate parks, yet the SAMC has not been updated to <br />reflect these changes. <br />The purpose of this item is to modernize park rules to reduce unnecessary barriers to <br />everyday park use, support local small businesses, and make City parks and open <br />spaces more welcoming and accessible, while preserving public safety, accessibility, <br />and the City’s ability to manage park resources effectively. <br />Picnicking in City Parks <br />Picnicking is a basic and widely expected park activity for families and community <br />members. Current rules prohibit picnicking and food preparation unless conducted in <br />areas specifically designated by the Parks Director, which can create confusion and <br />unnecessary enforcement challenges. Updating the SAMC to allow picnicking by default <br />reflects how parks are actually used today, while still allowing the City to restrict <br />picnicking in specific areas when needed for fire prevention, resource protection, or to <br />accommodate permitted or reserved uses.