Councilwoman Betty Guardado Supports Ordinance to Strengthen Safety in City Parks

Phoenix City Councilwoman Betty Guardado today expressed her support for a proposed ordinance aimed at creating clearer guidelines and accountability for activities occurring in city parks, emphasizing the need to balance public health, community safety, and the concerns of local residents.

“This is not an easy issue—it sits at the intersection of public health, safety, and the lived experiences of our communities,” said Councilwoman Guardado. “I have heard clearly from residents, especially families, about their concerns regarding activities taking place in our parks.”

Guardado also emphasized the legal realities that shape how the City must respond.

“By law, we cannot simply prohibit everything,” Guardado said. “There are legal constraints we must operate within, and we have a responsibility to respond in a way that is both lawful and responsible.”

She noted that while certain activities cannot be eliminated outright, the ordinance provides a necessary framework to ensure they are managed appropriately.

“The question is not whether these activities exist—they do,” Guardado said. “The question is whether we allow them to happen without oversight, or if we put structure in place to protect our neighborhoods.”

The ordinance introduces measures designed to improve safety and accountability, including permitting requirements, defined boundaries, and enforcement mechanisms to ensure proper oversight and cleanup standards.

“Our parks are for families, for children, and for our community to gather safely,” Guardado added. “In District 5, these spaces represent years of hard work by residents who fought to make them safe. I carry those voices with me in this decision.”

While supporting the ordinance, Guardado emphasized that it is not a perfect solution, but a necessary step forward.

“Doing nothing is not an option,” she said. “This ordinance is about taking control of a situation that, without structure, creates greater risks for our communities.”

Councilwoman Guardado affirmed her commitment to continuing to advocate for strong enforcement, clear boundaries, and accountability to ensure that city parks remain safe, clean, and welcoming spaces for all residents.