Activities like bathing in fountains or consuming liquor in parks have long been violations of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation code of conduct.
Now, those activities will also be banned under a city ordinance, after a Phoenix City Council vote Wednesday.
Parks Director Cynthia Aguilar told Phoenix City Council adopting the ordinance means park rules will now be enforceable by police.
“Park rangers do have some limitations,” Aguilar said. “They are not able to require people to provide information; they are not able to detain. So there are some levels of authority where a police officer can be more helpful in some of these circumstances.”
Several public commenters expressed concern that the ordinance would be used to criminalize homelessness.
The Council voted 8-to-1 to approve the ordinance.
During the same Wednesday meeting, the council voted to implement controversial new restrictions on providing medical care in public parks, but did allow a 90-day window for the city to work with stakeholder groups to propose revisions to that ordinance.
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