NEWS PHOTO ANNA SMITH
City councillors have passed a new and modernized parks bylaw aimed to reflect key community values and address new technology. The city's previous bylaw was passed in 1987 and required several updates. Police Point Park is pictured on Wednesday.
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Driven by the growing popularity of the city’s extensive parks and trails system and the need to modernize the wording of a nearly four-decade old bylaw to include technologies including drones and e-scooters, city councillors approved an updated parks bylaw city staffers have worked on since 2022.
The city’s previous Parks Bylaw was passed in 1987 and received minor revision in the 1990s and 2000s.
On Monday, council received a presentation from parks and recreation staff who have been working to overhaul the aging parks bylaw after the city identified the need through data and feedback gathered from the 2022 Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The four key areas the new parks bylaw addresses is enhanced protection of park spaces as valued public assets, safety of parks and trail users, stewardship of the natural environment and evolving technology trends.
The new bylaw will provide clear and actionable enforcement as well as clear penalties and fines tied to offences, with the allowance of progression of compliance from awareness to fines.
New updates are included to deal with evolving trends in technology, including drones, e-bikes, e-scooters and other wheeled vehicles that are common on city trails.
“The speed of e-bikes and e-scooters can be significantly more than human powered,” said Scott Richter, recreation manager, parks and recreation department. “There is confusion about pedal-assists, e-bikes or powered only… Provincial legislation is different across Canada and in fact, internationally, and it can make it difficult to be consistent and understand clearly on what the most up-to-date rules are.”
Due to this, the city’s bylaw suggests a maximum speed limit of 20 km/h on trails and parks and to slow down if passing or in high traffic areas. The bylaw also suggests operators of e-bicycles and scooters should be at least 12 years old because of the judgment, speed, navigation and the risks and hazards they pose.
Operators must also wear a helmet at all times and no passengers are allowed unless the electric vehicle is built for a passenger.
The bylaw would also provide safety requirements like lights and audible warning devices, or yelling while passing pedestrians to ensure a safe experience for all trail users.
To ensure future generations will be able to enjoy city parks, the bylaw also updates stewardship for long-term enjoyment.
This will include the protection of natural areas caused by humans, such as environmental reserves, archeological sites and environmentally sensitive areas. The bylaw will also be updated to ensure natural areas and water bodies are preserved.
New fines around animal waste and litter have also been addressed within the bylaw.
Of note, owners of dogs walking without leashes in non-designated areas, is a violation under the Responsible Animal Ownership bylaw.
The bylaw will also receive additions to safe behaviour expected in parks that will include requiring parents to supervise children around swim lakes and require life jacket use on authorized boating waterbodies.
A section states all appropriate fire locations, fuel sources and restrictions, and will also address the growing number of camping and encampment activities within the city.
The bylaw also allows for the harvesting of edible plants for non-commercial purposes so users can freely harvest Sage which grows prominently in and around Medicine Hat.
“Clarity regarding litter, which includes pet waste, drones, harvesting plants, e-bikes and e-scooters, fires, alcohol and camping and more have all been addressed,” said Richter.
“Fines and enforcement now have a comprehensive detailed list for specific violations now with over 100,” added Richter who explained fines are reserved for uncooperative or inconsiderate behaviour by users.
The city also plans to release more information to educate the public on trail etiquette, including noise cancelling headphones, and good behaviours of a shared pathway, will be posted to its website.
