Adults without children won’t be allowed at Palm Beach County playgrounds
[FAC NOTE: This is actually a really good policy. Why would ANYONE not having a valid reason to be on a playground, school or daycare have a reason to be there?]
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.
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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.