Martin County

File #: 23-0480   
Type: Departmental Status: Passed
In control: Board of County Commissioners
On agenda: 3/7/2023 Final action: 3/7/2023
Title: SKATE PARK OPERATIONS AND FEES
PLACEMENT: Departmental
TITLE:
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SKATE PARK OPERATIONS AND FEES
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
The Martin County Board of County Commissioners (Board) has requested a presentation on the user fees charged at County skate parks.
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DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
PREPARED BY: Name: Kevin V. Abbate
Title: Parks and Recreation Director
REQUESTED BY: Martin County Board of County Commissioners

PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None

BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:

The Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains three skate parks, which are located at Jock Leighton Park, Mary Brogan Park and the Pat Mark Rio-Jensen Skate Park at Langford Park.

At the time when the County's three skate parks were initially constructed and opened, liability waivers for use of the skate parks were required by Florida Statutes ? 316.0085. The Parks and Recreation Department developed a process to register users and ensure liability waivers are signed (initially in-person and then online) to comply with this law.

Skate Cards are issued to users, which are checked periodically by staff at all three skate parks. In addition to spot checking skate cards, staff also conduct safety reviews of the skate parks and are on-site to monitor behavior and assist with any issues.

During the economic downturn, a $20 annual pass and a $5 daily pass fee was established to reduce the operating impact of administering the liability waiver process.

ISSUES:

The Martin County Legal Department, Risk Department, and TRICO evaluated the requirement for the County to obtain liability waivers for skate park participants. The Legal Department conducted research to determine if a statutory requirement was still in place, and it was learned that effective July 1, 2015, Florida Statutes ? 316.0085 was amended to remove the requirement for government entities that operate skateboarding facilities to obtain a signed liability waiver from minor's parents.

LEGAL SUFFICIE...

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