Gardena Municipal Code Ch. 11.04 Public Parks – General Rules

For the purposes of this title, certain words and phrases used herein are defined as follows:

"Department"

means the Department of Recreation and Human Services.

"Director"

means the Director of the Department of Recreation and Human Services, or the Director's designee.

"Field"

means any outdoor City facility available for use by the public including but not limited to an aquatic center, sports/athletic fields, courts, barbeque grills, and picnic shelters.

"Indoor facility"

means any indoor City facility available for use by the public including but not limited to Nakaoka Community Center, auditoriums, classrooms, meeting rooms, computer labs, gymnasiums, and indoor basketball courts.

"Park"

means a place, park, structure, playgrounds, playing fields, courts, area or other outdoor area under the jurisdiction of the City used for community recreation (whether or not the same may be used also for other purposes).

"Permittee"

means the person who has been granted a permit to use a recreation facility, or any part thereof.

"Person"

means and includes, except where the context requires a different meaning, an individual, copartnership, joint venture, firm, unincorporated association, syndicate, club, society, trust and all private, political, charitable and social organizations doing business or existing under and by virtue of any law, as a corporation or otherwise.

"Recreation facility"

means a park, indoor facility or field belonging to the City and all equipment and fixtures in such facility.

"Reservation permit" or "permit"

means the written permission issued to an applicant to use a recreation facility in accordance with the provisions and regulations established by the City and any amendment or supplement to such permit. A reservation permit is issued when a reservation request is confirmed and all applicable fees, deposits, and insurance have been provided. A reservation permit may include permission to use a recreation facility for a special use.

"Reservation request"

is the application for use of a facility.

"Special use"

means the use of a recreation facility which includes any of the following activities:

A.

More than 150 persons in attendance.

B.

Use of bounce houses.

C.

More than one tent or canopy of any size.

D.

One or more tents or canopies greater than 20 feet by 20 feet in size.

E.

Amplified music, including live music or disc jockeys, and public address systems other than small radios and Bluetooth speakers which are permitted at a low volume.

F.

Generators.

G.

Grills or cooking devices.

H.

Outside catering companies or food trucks.

I.

Any event involving the sale of items including food.

J.

Organized races, tournaments, sports, or other competitions.

K.

Any event where tickets are sold or fees are charged for participants.

L.

Any other reservation request that the Director determines has special characteristics requiring a special use permit.

"Vehicle"

means any wheeled conveyance, whether motor-powered, animal-drawn, or self-propelled and shall include any trailer in tow of any size, kind, or description, except for baby carriages and vehicles in the service of the City parks.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

The Director is authorized and directed to supervise and manage the recreation facilities and to issue permits for the use thereof in accordance with and subject always to the terms, conditions, regulations, limitations and restrictions established by the Council. The Director may authorize and direct an assistant to do and perform all or any part of their duties with respect to recreation buildings and parks, in which event however, the Director shall remain responsible for the proper and efficient supervision and management of the recreation buildings and parks.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

A. The Director, park supervisor and appointed or designated recreation leaders shall have complete authority and control to supervise and regulate the conduct of all activities in each respective recreation facility. Such personnel shall have the right to refuse permission to anyone to enter, use, or remain on the premises for any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter.

B. In the event any participant or visitor fails to accede to the request of the personnel referred to in subsection A, above, such personnel shall immediately call or contact the police department which shall take proper action to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

A. Unless a permit is required, recreation facilities shall be open to the public on a "first come, first served" basis. If any person wishes to reserve a recreation facility for exclusive use at a specific date and time, the person shall obtain a permit in accordance with Chapter 11.06 of this title.

B. In order to provide equal access to all during the weekend period (Saturday and Sunday) when demand is highest, no organization, group or individual may reserve an indoor/outdoor facility more than sixteen (16) times in one calendar year, not to exceed more than two (2) reservations in one (1) month during the weekend time period.

C. No permanent rental or assignment of recreation facilities shall be made to any organization, group, or individual.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

Gardena parks shall be closed to the public every day of the year between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. It shall be a misdemeanor to be in the park during these hours. This information shall be posted throughout each park and at each park entrance in typeface not less than two (2) inches in height. This section shall not apply to an individual who is in the park during prohibited hours for an event or activity which is sponsored by the City or an event or activity for which a permit has been issued by the City.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall:

A. Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, displace or remove any building, bridge, table, bench, fireplace, railing, paving, paving material, water line or other public utility or parts or appurtenances, sign, notice or placard, whether temporary or permanent, monument, stake, post or other boundary marker, or any other structure, equipment, facility or park property, either real or personal;

B. Dig or remove any sand, whether submerged or not, soil, rock, stone, tree, shrub, or plant or down timber or other wood or materials, or make any excavation by tools, equipment, blasting, or other means or agency;

C. Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary in character, or run or string any public service utility into, upon, or across such land except pursuant to the provisions of permit issued under Chapter 11.06;

D. Fail to maintain restrooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition;

E. Use a restroom of the opposite sex.

1. Children under the age of ten (10) may use the restroom of the opposite sex when accompanied by a parent or guardian of that sex and when necessary.

2. Physically disabled individuals may use the restroom of the opposite sex when accompanied by an attendant, parent or guardian of that sex.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall:

A. Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant, injure the bark or pick the flowers or seeds of any tree or plant, attach any rope, wire or contrivance to any tree or plant, or dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas, or in any way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area;

B. Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railings, fences or upon any property not designated or customarily used for such purpose.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall:

A. Throw, discharge or place, or cause to be placed, in the water of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, bay or other body of water in or adjacent to any park or tributary, stream, storm sewer, or drain flowing into such waters any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of such waters; or

B. Bring in or dump, deposit, or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage, refuse or other trash.

C. No such refuse or trash shall be placed in any waters in or contiguous to any park or be left anywhere on the grounds but shall be placed in the proper receptacles provided. Where receptacles are not provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence and shall be properly disposed of elsewhere.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall:

A. Fail to comply with all the applicable provisions of the state motor vehicle traffic laws and City laws, rules and regulations relating to equipment and the operation of vehicles or fail to comply with such regulations as contained in this chapter;

B. Fail to obey all traffic officers and park employees, such persons being authorized and instructed to direct traffic whenever and wherever needed in the park in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and such supplementary regulations as may be issued subsequently by the Director;

C. Fail to observe carefully all traffic signs indicating speed, direction, caution, stopping or parking and all other signs posted for proper control and to safeguard life and property;

D. Ride or drive a vehicle at a rate of speed exceeding eight (8) miles per hour except upon such roads as the Director may designate, by posted signs, for speedier travel;

E. Drive any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads or parking areas or such other areas as may on occasion be specifically designated as temporary parking areas by the Director;

F. Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area, and such use shall be in accordance with the posted directions and with the instructions of any attendant who may be present; provided however, there shall be no parking in any area between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and sunrise without the approved written authorization from the Director or the Chief of Police; or

G. Leave any vehicle anywhere in the park with one or more wheels chained or with the motor set in gears locked or in any manner fixed or arranged so that such vehicle cannot readily be moved by hand.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall:

A. Ride a bicycle on other than a paved vehicular road or path designated for that purpose; provided, however, a bicyclist shall be permitted to wheel or push a bicycle by hand over any grassy area or wooded trail or on any paved area reserved for pedestrian use;

B. Ride a bicycle other than on the right hand side of the road paving as close as conditions permit;

C. Fail to keep bicycles in single file when two or more are operating as a group;

D. Fail to operate a bicycle with reasonable regard to the safety of others, signal at all turns, pass to the right of any vehicle being overtaken, or pass to the right of any vehicle being met;

E. Ride any other person on a bicycle, other than in a designated seat for carrying a child;

F. Leave a bicycle in a place other than a bicycle rack when such is provided and there is a space available; or

G. Leave a bicycle lying on the ground or paving or set against trees or in any place or position where other persons may trip over or be injured by it;

H. For purposes of this section, the term "bicycle" includes an e-bike.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall:

A. Hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time;

B. Use, carry, or possess firearms of any description, air rifles, spring-guns, bows and arrows, slings or any other form of weapon potentially inimical to wildlife and dangerous to human safety, or any instrument which can be loaded with and fire blank cartridges, or any kind of trapping device; or

C. Shoot into park areas from beyond park boundaries.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall:

A. Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose; provided, however, attendants shall have the authority to regulate the activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum use for the comfort and convenience of all and visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end;

B. Violate the regulation that use of the individual barbeque grills, together with tables and benches, follows generally the rule of "first come, first served";

C. Use any portion of the picnic areas or any of the buildings or structures therein for the purpose of holding picnics to the exclusion of other persons, if space allows, absent having a permit for such use, or use such area and facilities for an unreasonable time if the facilities are crowded; or

D. Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers, cans, bottles, garbage and other refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available, refuse and trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall set up tents, shacks, or any other temporary shelter for the purpose of overnight camping or leave in a park after closing hours any movable structure or special vehicle to be used or that could be used for such purpose, such as a house trailer, camp trailer, camp wagon or the like, without the approved written authorization from the Director.

A. No person shall take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown, or otherwise propelled, objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelins, model airplanes, or drones except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation.

B. The playing of rough or comparatively dangerous games such as football, baseball, soccer, and quoits shall be prohibited except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor.

C. Roller skating and skate boarding shall be confined to those areas specifically designated for such pastimes.

D. No person shall gamble, participate in or abet any game of chance.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall ride a horse except on designated bridle trails. Where horseback riding is permitted, horses shall be thoroughly broken, properly restrained, ridden with due care, and shall not be allowed to graze or go unattended.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall sleep or protractedly lounge on the seats or other areas, engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language, or engage in any disorderly conduct or behavior tending to a breach of the public peace.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

A. No person shall bring, have in their possession, set off, or otherwise cause to explode, discharge or burn any firecracker, torpedo, rocket or other fireworks or explosives, or flammable materials, or discharge or throw them into any park area from land or a highway adjacent thereto.

B. The explosives prohibited by the provisions of this section shall include any substance, compound, mixture or article which, in conjunction with any other substance or compound, would be dangerous; provided, however, the provisions of this section shall not apply to any organized group activity, approval to which has been granted by the Council.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

A. Except for a service animal, or a dog allowed in accordance with subsection B below, no person shall allow an animal under their custody and/or control, to enter into any area on park premises other than into an automobile parking lot, and in such instances while the animal is in a parking lot, the animal shall be retained safely secured within an automobile.

B. Notwithstanding subsection A above, dogs shall be allowed in parks, other than skate parks and the aquatic facility, as follows:

1. All dogs in or near a park must be leashed and under control by the owner or responsible person who is at least thirteen (13) years of age.

2. No dog shall be allowed on courts, playing fields, or in playgrounds.

a. Playing fields are defined as open spaces used for recreation, sports, or physical education and includes any grass space which is used for classes or sports.

b. Courts are defined as any surface used for court sports, including but not limited to basketball, tennis, and pickleball.

c. Playgrounds are defined as any area with play equipment.

3. Dogs disrupting patrons, including, but not limited to, excessive barking, growling, or jumping on/towards other patrons, will be asked to leave the park.

4. The person bringing the dog into the park must collect the dog's waste on or near park grounds in accordance with Gardena Municipal Code Section 6.02.010. Failure to do so shall be considered a misdemeanor.

C. No animal shall be left unattended anywhere in a City park.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall expose or offer for sale any article or thing or station or place any stand, cart, or vehicle for the transportation, sale, or display of any such article or thing; provided, however, an exception to this provision shall be made for any regularly licensed concessionaire acting by and under the authority and regulation of the Director.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall announce, advertise or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire; provided, however, an exception to this provision shall be made for regularly scheduled Recreation and Human Services Department activities or such community service activities as are authorized by the Council and regulated by the Director.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

No person shall paste, glue, tack, or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement or inscription whatever, or erect, or cause to be erected, any sign whatever on any public lands, highways, or roads adjacent to a park.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

In accordance with Civil Code Section 2080.6, the following procedures shall apply to personal property found in public parks.

A. Lost articles shall be turned over to the Director who shall make every reasonable effort to locate the owners and the Director shall make every reasonable effort to find articles reported as lost.

B. Lost articles shall be maintained by the Director in a safe location for a minimum period of three (3) months.

C. If no owner is found, or the property is not claimed, after three (3) months, the property may be sold at a public auction to the highest bidder. Items that are determined to be needed for public use may be retained by the City in lieu of being sold.

D. The City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, shall provide notice of the public auction one (1) time, at least five (5) days before the auction, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county of Los Angeles.

E. Any property remaining unsold after being offered at public auction may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the City.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

A. No person shall build, or attempt to build, a fire, except in City provided barbeque grill areas. No portable barbeques or grills shall be allowed in any park, unless authorized by the Director.

B. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other inflammable material within any park area or on any highway, road or street abutting or contiguous thereto.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public by the Director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise) and either entirely or merely to certain uses as the Director shall find reasonably necessary.

No person shall enter an area posted "Closed to the Public" or use or abet the use of any area in violation of posted notices.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)

It shall be unlawful to do any of the following:

A. Smoke, or to throw or deposit any cigar, cigarette, or other tobacco product as defined in Section 5.52.010 or cannabis product as defined in Section 18.66.020. For purposes of this section, the definition of smoking as defined in Section 5.52.010 shall also include cannabis products and paraphernalia as well as tobacco products and paraphernalia.

B. Bring or consume any alcoholic beverage within the park or recreation facilities.

C. Bring or consume any illegal substance within the park or recreation facilities.

D. Bring or use any weapon within the park or recreation facilities.

(Ord. 1889, 9/22/2026)