Spanish Fort council bans fee-based coaching without city approval across parks

Spanish Fort — The City Council on Monday unanimously amended and adopted a package of ordinances that prohibit fee-based coaching, training or lessons on city park property unless expressly approved by the city.

David (staff member) told the council the change applies to Spirit Park, Integrity Park, Spanish Fort Town Center Park and Loyalty Park and would add language making paid coaching a prohibited use without city approval. "No fee based or paid coaching, training, or lessons [are allowed] without the approval of the City of Spanish Fort," David said during the meeting when summarizing the new ordinance text.

Council members moved to suspend the rules for each ordinance, voted to amend the language as discussed in the work session, and approved the amended ordinances by roll call. The council recorded affirmative votes on ordinances 7-30-2025, 7-31-2025, 7-32-2025 and 7-33-2025.

The amendments also clarify that city-sanctioned league play and special events have priority over individual use. David said the intent is to prevent commercial activity from displacing youth sports and other city-approved programming: "If individuals are on the fields during those times that league play is scheduled or special events, they have to yield those fields or those facilities to those larger events."

Supporters of the change said it protects playing time for city leagues and prevents private operators from using public fields during peak hours. At least one council member framed the ordinances as a response to unauthorized commercial use of parks: "When people break the rules, you have to make new rules so they can't do it," Mary said during discussion.

The ordinances took effect after the council's affirmative roll-call votes. The council did not indicate any immediate exemptions, and staff said the city will implement an approval process for any future requests to provide paid coaching on city property.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 7-30-2025 (Spirit Park): Adopted; unanimous affirmative vote.
- Ordinance 7-31-2025 (Integrity Park): Adopted; unanimous affirmative vote.
- Ordinance 7-32-2025 (Spanish Fort Town Center Park): Adopted; unanimous affirmative vote.
- Ordinance 7-33-2025 (Loyalty Park): Adopted; unanimous affirmative vote.

What happens next

City staff will implement the approval process and modify park rules consistent with the new ordinance language. Enforcement and scheduling priorities for leagues and city events will be managed by the parks and recreation staff in coordination with city administration.