Weatherford council adopts ordinance standardizing park hours, leash rules and vehicle limits

The Weatherford City Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 02020-25, which updates the city's park regulations to standardize park definitions, hours and several enforcement provisions, the council said.

Shannon Goodman, director of parks, recreation and special events, told the council the ordinance revises Title 9, Chapter 11 to bring neighborhood parks, community parks, special use parks, lakefront parks, athletic fields and open-space green belts under a consistent definition so the same rules can apply across property types. Goodman said the ordinance specifically amends sections 9-11-5 (park hours) and 9-11-8 (offenses and penalties).

Goodman said one substantive change is standardizing park hours to 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. across most properties; she noted Lake Weatherford historically had a midnight closing time and the ordinance brings that location in line with most other parks. "It gives us that ability to use the same standards across the city," Goodman said. The ordinance also clarifies leash provisions (including a six-foot leash allowance and a designated off-leash dog park), adds language to limit overnight camping in green-belt areas, and restricts motorized vehicle use to designated park roads and parking areas to address trail damage and unauthorized vehicle use.

Goodman highlighted a provision restating that discharge of firearms in any city park, green belt or open-space area is prohibited, referencing section 9-2-17 of the city code. The ordinance also preserves posted speed limits through parks where applicable (Goodman said park road speed limits differ from residential streets and cited a 25 mph posting for certain park roads).

A council member raised a caution about the potential access impact of a uniform 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. policy for residents who work late shifts; the council discussed monitoring the policy and said staff would track complaints and usage patterns. Following brief discussion, the Mayor Pro Tem moved to adopt the ordinance as presented with the noted amendments; the motion was seconded by Council member Matt Tiscus and the measure passed on a 5-0 vote.

The ordinance will be reflected in the city's codified park regulations and staff said the changes will inform park rules and public notice at properties across the city.