In response to increasing complaints about overflowing trash, filthy bathrooms, and vandalism in city parks — not to mention reports of obnoxious and intimidating behavior by some loud and inebriated regular park users — the Santa Barbara City Council voted to shorten park hours on 30 of the city’s parks. The council also voted to bar adults from the designated children’s play areas in all parks with playgrounds or pools unless they accompany a child. Lastly, they added new safety restrictions on the use of barbecues, all of which must be portable and sit at least six inches off any hard surface when in use.
Under the new scheme — adopted by a 5-2 vote — all city parks will now close half an hour after sunset. Right now, about 30 parks close at 10 p.m. and 19 close shortly after sunset. That discrepancy has caused confusion and enforcement problems, said parks czar Jill Zachary, and uniform park hours would make a positive difference.
Zachary initially argued that all parks should close at sunset — as defined by the National Weather Service — but added an extra half hour of legal time at the insistence of councilmembers. Councilmember Randy Rowse, who represents the Mesa district, noted that Shoreline Park traditionally draws droves of sunset watchers, who should be given time to pack their bags before having to worry about being “dragged off” by “sunset cops.”