PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — In an effort to increase safety in Palm Beach County, commissioners unanimously approved an amended change to the county’s parks and recreation ordinance.
Officials said the revision will strengthen provisions related to children’s safety on playgrounds at county parks.
Palm Beach County Mayor Robert Weinroth announced this week that the new regulation prohibits adults 18 years or older from entering or remaining in a designated children’s play area unless the adult is supervising and/or accompanying children that are 12 years old or younger.
I wanted to first say “A solution looking for a problem.”
But after reading the 2015 article below from the National Parks and Recreation Association, the caselaw (and maybe the ordinance which I have not read) is for the purpose of keeping the small area of a playground open for small children. More likely in New York City they have older kids messing around on a playground and potentially not leaving equipment or space for the toddlers.
I doubt this has been an issue in Palm Beach County, but why not get a feather in your cap for your next campaign that you passed this ordinance and “protected the children”.
This article describes the ordinance and its constitutionality (4th amendment right to go into any public space).
https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2015/march/park-playground-ban-on-adults-unaccompanied-by-children/
This is exactly what is wrong with TODAY’S society. We’re in the golden age of “pedo panic” thanks to a certain political party and news broadcast agency which I won’t name.
This is exactly what they want – everyone to be paranoid and suspicious of each other in order to sell the fear narrative. They want us to automatically assume the worse and prejudge others.
More guns.
More walls
More registries
America is a lost cause at this point.
It’s just local regulation of playgrounds.
I’m a senior with no children at home. I had a wonderful childhood and did pretty good by my kids as well. I go to playgrounds occasionally to enjoy seeing others enjoying theirs. I also still like to swing and play on cool equipment they didn’t have when I was a kid. I have never damaged anything in a playground with my adult weight and stay off the plastic crap. I pay taxes which do help pay for playgrounds. While I don’t think FAC is the group to fight these particular American rights being taken away, I don’t think this is “good” by any means and F Florida.
This will make no difference in sexual crimes against children in Palm Beach County or any other county that is dumb enough to enact it. 90% or 95%, I forget the number, of child sex crimes are committed by people they know. These are the same people who are with them at the park, the school, the whatever.
My grandmother was a retired school teacher and after her retirement she would enjoy walking to a playground a few times a week, sitting alone on a bench, and having her lunch there. She said it brought a smile to her face seeing the children there enjoying themselves and “just being kids”. If she were alive today and doing that, she would be a criminal. Shame on Palm Beach for doing that to her.
Question – Does law enforcement have to bring a child with THEM in order for law enforcement to be able enter the playground? I ask that sarcastically, but y’all get my point.
I think it would make a ton more sense for the ordinance to require children at those spaces to be accompanied by an adult. If there’s another adult around and he makes anyone uncomfortable, take the kid(s) and leave. Problem (if there even is one) solved.
why would anyone not wanting to swim be at the beach? why would anyone not wanting to ride a roller coaster be at an amusement park? The road to hell is always paved with the best intentions and the worst legislations always are based on the best desires.. freedom is never determined by need to..
For Example…..
in Lee County FL…..A Person Forced to Register is Prohibited from Stepping Foot on a Beach…..Per Their County Ordinance!
This makes sense, but will this also apply to public parks where children’s playground equipment is present?
School and park safety zones do not apply to me due to recent litigation here in Michigan, and being a radio controlled airplane hobbyist, I frequently go to public parks where there is plenty of room to fly my planes. Kids of all ages often come to watch or ask me questions, which I don’t mind as long as the younger ones are accompanied by a parent and they stay clear of my flight paths.
I would certainly support a policy like this, so long as it applies ONLY to parks specifically designated for children only, and does not include public parks designed for people of all ages.
All, there is a link to the source in the article where you can find the actual ordinance. The language in the ordinance defines the areas that will be covered. it states, “Designated Children’s Play Area. An area or space within a park designated for use by children ages 12 and younger only and posted by signage in prominent locations indicating such limited occupancy and use.”
I don’t think it gets any clearer that the ordinance does not apply to an entire park or trail, just the designated children’s play areas and that those areas will have prominently posted signs giving notice of such limited occupancy or use.
There is a lot of speculation in these comments, but the article clearly stated, “that the new regulation prohibits adults 18 years or older from entering or remaining in a designated children’s play area unless the adult is supervising and/or accompanying children that are 12 years old or younger” and the ordinance (a copy of which was provided by the source) says the same.
I respect that some of you might want to cool off at the children’s splash pad the same way my kid might want to run around unsupervised at the golf driving range but can’t unless he’s accompanied by an adult. These might impair some freedoms to do what you want, but I’m not sure fighting for our rights to use the see-saw is the proverbial hill FAC wants to die on.
Ok there could be some logic in some restrictions as most playground equipment is designed for children and for an adult to use it could be dangerous and damaging to the equipment. And if the area was fenced off and only allowed children and there guardians with them, that’s fine.
Near where I live there is a park with a jogging trail and playground on the same city lot as the police station and fire station. The kids play equipment is mixed in with adult workout equipment like chin-up bars so adults can work out at the same time as their kids are playing on their equipment. It makes for a beneficial experience for both. Most kids enjoy having adults around to see what they are able to do on their equipment and complimented on their accomplishments. At the same time see adults playing on what they might see as adult play equipment.
To raise kids is a 24-7 job as long as parents recognize that and without scaring the kids give them instructions that can help them be out going and at the same time vigilant and safe all can benefit.
To make too many laws that don’t take into consideration everyone’s circumstances would stifle the experience for the children as well as making an opportunity to interact with and form trust more difficult.
We are all still waiting for some good news FAC, not this B.S. that you spit at us while our fingers are crossed. We all know the ex post facto case will be thrown out and no changes made. This is a well oiled machine here in Fl. By far the most user friendly, best, streamlined website in the country. Where every other state makes you at least go through a cumbersome letter sequence, in Fl, you need no checks to get into the site. Let’s take pride in having the best designed site in the country, and not false hopes that we have endured for years and years now.
‘We all know the ex post facto case will be thrown out’ You do realize the case was authorized to proceed, right?
I sense anger at FAC for something, it’s unclear what.
Kenneth, I read a lot of cynicism and hopelessness in your post. Being on the registry is tough and the setbacks can be tough. Keep moving forward. Don’t give up, don’t lose faith. It takes a great amount of courage to keep trudging forward. None of us know what will happen in court. Open public discussion is still one of the best ways to advance the abolition of the registry.
I have no issues with this being a parent. Yet, it does have an underlying problem that is a bigger issue than I think people recognize. “It takes a village”. Popularized at one time to say parents weren’t good enough to raise their children without help. The reliance on things like this, or a registry to see who lives near you, contributes to lazy parenting. Society creates these “safe zones” and parents automatically assume everything is fine I don’t have to monitor my children. Theme parks are a primary example of this, kids running wild barely any parental supervision. I have a child I take to the park regularly, I’m allowed to where I live, I monitor his playing and other parents do the same for the most part. So under this, how many adults per child? Since 90% or so victims are abused by someone they know and not on the registry, this doesn’t sound like it contributed to child safety at all. Again, I have no issues with it, but I see problems with the idea and potential implementation.
Fellow FAC members, hate to disappoint you, but you’re too big for the playground equipment.
I believe these regs refer to very small areas in the park that are crammed with children and play equipment. At least, that’s how I’ve seen it done elsewhere. Palm Beach County is not the first.
And for the first time, the county is implicitly acknowledging that both registered and non-registered adults are at a similar risk level. Isn’t that what we’ve been trying to tell them all along?
I think this is a win for us because all adults are treated equally under this law, and barring other prohibitions, would permit registrants with children to have access to these public resources for their families.
If an adult wants to play on the jungle gym, they can go find an American Ninja Warrior course.
I do not see an issue with this. It says playgrounds not the park itself. When my kids turned 8 they had a soccer ball and they were off to explore the sport; and we never went to a playground.
I find it hard to find any reason for an adult, who is not there with their kids, family member’s kids etc,, to be at a playground.
I find this is more of a “why would an adult be at a playground alone period then it being about public safety; it is common sense. If we ever want the courts and govt to look at us and apply common sense, we should do the same.
This is actually or should be a common ground issue and it would be cool if FAC formally supported this common sense ordinance. By doing so it make our objections more powerful.
It might be said it was done on good intentions but at the same time as Americans we are being slowly stripped of our freedoms. I see the safety concerns valued here but at the same time several years ago the news did a story on a guy the was denied entrance to Legoland because he didn’t have a qualifying child with him but he did have his adult daughter attending. He was a huge fan of Legos. The news showed he had hundreds of Legos at home and Starwars ships built. This is what I see is be seen as guilty till proven innoscent. Where does it stop?
FAC – Your “note”, please tell me that is sarcasm.
Always be afraid, the boogie man is lurking around the corner. You must live in fear….give me a break. So young adults out riding bikes can’t cool off at the splash pad. I can tell you me and my girlfriends wouldn’t think twice of taking advantage of splash pad and we are pushing 60. This is so stupid. And so wrong. There are splash pads at public pools for goodness sake, And what about adults that have the mental capacity of a child? No swinging on the swing for them. This is beyond ridiculous.
Just going by the article “designated children’s play area” dont know i there are signs saying this specific area is it. Or is it up the the police to determine that area. This could cover an entire park. Sounds a little vague. My friends kid is 24 but has downs syndrome. Has the IQ of a 5yo. Could they take her?
Sure it makes more sense than trying to enforce the registry but I’m not in a position to be able to know everyone’s circumstances . They might have a legitimate reason for being in that location. Meeting someone , who knows. More laws means more problems and harassment of innocent people. If there is a law someone will test it to the limit.
As good as this sounds, it promotes that whole stranger danger thing, causing more paranoia that you’re fellow neighbors are possibly a kidnapper, and/or a lurking sex offender! I get the gist of it, but added paranoia to the public is also a bad thing!
Excellent policy, identical to that posted at Centennial Olympic Park playgrounds, among others— it doesn’t matter whether you’re a registrant or not, you need a valid reason to be there, and accepting adults without children is too risky. Incidents DO happen, and FAC is right NOT to advocate for the right of adults to attend playgrounds without children.
I shudder to think that the public may read comments here that state, ‘aw, man, adults should be able to go to playgrounds whenever they want.’ Don’t do it!
So here we are in 2022 and you think this is a good idea? Was there an incident that caused this decision?
Where was this “policy” in 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2012?
This is yet another case of “Let’s create a problem where there isn’t one. We’ll get a cookie from the frightened locals.”
Maestro,
You are absolutely 100% correct.
Well said.
LOL. I truly hope Florida goes even further off the rails and makes these restrictions virtually universal: No adults attending children’s movies, no unaccompanied adults on any school grounds, no adults that arcades, no adults at circuses and amusement parks! Children Only sections of the beach. Hey, y’know, drowning’s happen. 🦈 It is what it is! In any case, better drowned than touched, right Florida?! 😲🤷🏻♂️)
Not sure how regulating public playgrounds would lead to any of these.
Yeah I can totally see why we would agree with this it is a decent message and they’re not targeting sex offenders which is refreshing however there are two problems. It makes a very dangerous and disturbing assumption that people alone are dangerous or if there’s someone alone at the playground He is assumed to be up to no good. Scary stuff.
Second To the average person such restriction of movement would feel very un-American plus it’s more stranger danger and that’s always a mistake.
I totally agree and IMHO unconstitutional. As a retired senior. I enjoy the outdoors alone . In many areas parks and trails may be lineal and run for miles. Why should I be denied the right of the enjoyment of such places because I choose to be alone or even with another adult. I have always objected to the banishment of registrants simply based on thier status of the registry . It screams unconstitutionality to me. Now to exclude individuals because they are not with children and are adults. just inconceivable.
Barb, I share your enjoyment of parks, trails, and the outdoors. But this is really just about playgrounds.
Centennial Olympic Park, for example, welcomes the public, but posts signs outside two small playgrounds within the park, saying adults shouldn’t be in those playgrounds if they’re not associated with any children there. Which makes sense, because there is nothing for an adult to do there.
@ Rpsabq: When I visit Paris, I have a favorite place to stay that happens to overlook a small local park. It’s known mostly to locals and lots of children go there to play, typically accompanied by an adult. Other adults also visit the park to relax, read a book, meet and chat with friends. I frequently visit the park just to take a break, enjoy the fresh air, do some reading, and listen to the pleasant sounds of children’s laughter and play.
(I am not there with any evil intent. And fortunately, in spite of IML and a marked passport, the French authorities could care less where I go and what I do so long as I do not break any of their laws.)
America/Florida is going far overboard. Who says it won’t be that same daddy or stepdad taking the child to the playground today and molesting that same child in a couple years from now?? 🤷🏻♂️
If all past, present, and future sexual offenders were already on the registry, then such restrictions might make sense. But this playground restriction does very little in the way of actual prevention and instead just panders to the public’s hysteria and misconceptions.
It’s not the individuals currently on the registry that parents most need to worry about – it’s the child’s near relatives, teachers, coaches, music tutors, pastors, youth group and scouting leaders, athletics coaches.
I really do not understand why this is so difficult for the public to understand. 🤷🏻♂️