Sledding in city parks has been illegal for 28 years
City reconsiders 1980 ordinance outlawing sledding in city parks
By Lynn Zerschling Journal staff writer | Posted: Thursday, January 24, 2008
The city's new "sledding allowed" signs will be posted at Grandview Park near the lower hill facing Stone Park Boulevard and at the hill closest to the entrance road at Sertoma Park. The "no sledding allowed" signs will be posted everywhere else in all city parks. (Staff photo by Jerry Mennenga)
SIOUX CITY -- If you've gone sledding in a city park in the last 28 years, you've broken the law.
Since 1980, it has been illegal for anyone to sled, snowboard, use an inner tube or ski in Sioux City parks because signs authorizing such use were never posted. The ordinance, however, wasn't widely known and doesn't appear to have been enforced.
On Wednesday City Manager Paul Eckert announced the city will allow sledding in one section of Grandview Park and another place in Sertoma Park near Southern Hills Mall.
Eckert said city staff discussed restricting where sledding should take place as a result of recent sledding accidents that resulted in serious injuries. That led City Attorney Jim Abshier to research city law, where he discovered that 28-year-old ordinance.
"It prohibits sledding in a park or along trails unless they are designated for sledding," Abshier said. "Up until this time, we've never had signs posted."
Signs will be posted to allow sledding (tubing, skiing, snowboarding, etc.) off the north entrance road to Grandview Park, on the lower hill facing Stone Park Boulevard across from St. Luke's Regional Medical Center's parking garage.
Sledding will be allowed in Sertoma Park near the entry road where a hill slopes down to a flat area. It will not be allowed further up that road near the water tank and near the Frisbee golf course.
When asked why the city hasn't enforced the ordinance, Eckert said, "I can't comment on that."
City crews will install signs showing where sledding is allowed and where it is not. The "no sledding" signs will be posted at the top of hills where they are visible.
Larger park signs will add the "no sledding" information to other park rules listed on those signs, according to Brian Fahrendholz, public services field supervisor. The signs will be installed immediately.
Sledding-related activities are banned at all other city parks. People cited for violations could be charged with a simple misdemeanor. That charge carries a fine ranging from $65 minimum up to a $500 maximum and/or up to 30 days in jail.
Eckert stressed the goal is to keep people safe from injuries.
"We've had some very unfortunate injuries in our parks recently," he said. "There are obstacles that can cause harm to our citizens and visitors to our community."
A man, 34, was paralyzed Jan. 11 while tubing at Sertoma Park after hitting a "no parking" sign, authorities said. Eckert said a young boy required surgery after another sledding accident there. A 20-year-old man was injured Monday while sledding down a steep hill by Briar Cliff College. The city does not control those privately owned hills.
Eckert acknowledged some might object to the ruling but encouraged anyone who has suggestions where people may sled safely to contact his office.
"We're happy to look at it," he said.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynn.zerschling@lee.net.
Tips for safe sledding
-- Adults should supervise children while they are sledding.
-- Make sure the hill is safe, without any obstacles in the sledding path such as a parking lot, signs, pond, playground equipment, cars, and that the sledding path doesn't end near a street, parking lot of other danger.
-- Children under 12 should wear a fitted helmet.
-- Never go down a hill headfirst. Sit facing forward and steer.
-- Use a sled that can steer. It's safer than flat sheets, toboggans, tubes or snow discs.
-- If you sled in the evening, make sure the hill is well lit.
-- Wear warm and layered clothing to protect from injuries and cold temperatures.
-- Sled in designated areas only in Sioux City -- Grandview Park and Sertoma Club at designated areas.
From Sioux City Fire Department and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Since 1980, it has been illegal for anyone to sled, snowboard, use an inner tube or ski in Sioux City parks because signs authorizing such use were never posted. The ordinance, however, wasn't widely known and doesn't appear to have been enforced.
On Wednesday City Manager Paul Eckert announced the city will allow sledding in one section of Grandview Park and another place in Sertoma Park near Southern Hills Mall.
Eckert said city staff discussed restricting where sledding should take place as a result of recent sledding accidents that resulted in serious injuries. That led City Attorney Jim Abshier to research city law, where he discovered that 28-year-old ordinance.
"It prohibits sledding in a park or along trails unless they are designated for sledding," Abshier said. "Up until this time, we've never had signs posted."
Signs will be posted to allow sledding (tubing, skiing, snowboarding, etc.) off the north entrance road to Grandview Park, on the lower hill facing Stone Park Boulevard across from St. Luke's Regional Medical Center's parking garage.
Sledding will be allowed in Sertoma Park near the entry road where a hill slopes down to a flat area. It will not be allowed further up that road near the water tank and near the Frisbee golf course.
When asked why the city hasn't enforced the ordinance, Eckert said, "I can't comment on that."
City crews will install signs showing where sledding is allowed and where it is not. The "no sledding" signs will be posted at the top of hills where they are visible.
Larger park signs will add the "no sledding" information to other park rules listed on those signs, according to Brian Fahrendholz, public services field supervisor. The signs will be installed immediately.
Sledding-related activities are banned at all other city parks. People cited for violations could be charged with a simple misdemeanor. That charge carries a fine ranging from $65 minimum up to a $500 maximum and/or up to 30 days in jail.
Eckert stressed the goal is to keep people safe from injuries.
"We've had some very unfortunate injuries in our parks recently," he said. "There are obstacles that can cause harm to our citizens and visitors to our community."
A man, 34, was paralyzed Jan. 11 while tubing at Sertoma Park after hitting a "no parking" sign, authorities said. Eckert said a young boy required surgery after another sledding accident there. A 20-year-old man was injured Monday while sledding down a steep hill by Briar Cliff College. The city does not control those privately owned hills.
Eckert acknowledged some might object to the ruling but encouraged anyone who has suggestions where people may sled safely to contact his office.
"We're happy to look at it," he said.
Lynn Zerschling may be reached at (712) 293-4202 or lynn.zerschling@lee.net.
Tips for safe sledding
-- Adults should supervise children while they are sledding.
-- Make sure the hill is safe, without any obstacles in the sledding path such as a parking lot, signs, pond, playground equipment, cars, and that the sledding path doesn't end near a street, parking lot of other danger.
-- Children under 12 should wear a fitted helmet.
-- Never go down a hill headfirst. Sit facing forward and steer.
-- Use a sled that can steer. It's safer than flat sheets, toboggans, tubes or snow discs.
-- If you sled in the evening, make sure the hill is well lit.
-- Wear warm and layered clothing to protect from injuries and cold temperatures.
-- Sled in designated areas only in Sioux City -- Grandview Park and Sertoma Club at designated areas.
From Sioux City Fire Department and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
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mom of 4 wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:25 AM:
What can we as residents of Sioux City to that is COMPLETELY FREE that the whole family can just spend time together and have fun???????
SLEDDING!!!!!!!!
"
mom of 4 wrote on Feb 15, 2008 8:21 AM:
"
Update for SC Journal wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:32 AM:
yes wrote on Jan 26, 2008 11:19 PM:
Irritated because.......... wrote on Jan 26, 2008 8:15 AM: