​​​​​​​​​​​​Code of Conduct

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Code of Conduct Policy

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Download the Code of Conduct Policy in PDF format - English​ | Spanish


Code of Conduct Policy Statement:

Phoenix Parks and Recreation provides residents more than 41,000 acres of desert parks and mountain preserves containing more than 200 miles of trails; 185 spacious city parks spanning approximately 5,000 acres; 33 community and recreation centers; classes and sports programs for all ages to learn, stay active and have fun; 8 golf courses; and 29 pools where thousands cool off and learn to swim each summer. The intent of Phoenix Parks and Recreation’s Code of Conduct Policy is to promote behavior that allows everyone to enjoy clean, safe, accessible and inviting parks and programs.​

While the parks are open to all, no one has the right to interfere with another park guest’s use and enjoyment of City parks and facilities. Behavior, including those activities listed below, is unacceptable when it violates the law, interferes with the rights of others, endangers or injures oneself or others or when it results in damage to park property, buildings or equipment. Kindness and respect towards fellow park guests and City staff members is appreciated and expected at all times.

It is Phoenix Parks and Recreation’s policy to lead with education and raising awareness to achieve compliance with the Code of Conduct Policy. In cases where education does not work, and to address chronic and/or serious behavior, we reserve the right to take further action, up to and including issuing a trespass notice as described below.

Before a trespass notice is issued by a City staff member, park management is consulted. Park guests are provided with a copy of the trespass notice and information on how to submit an appeal. Appeals are reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Director, or designee, to ensure robust oversight. Regular updates are provided to the Parks and Recreation Board to ensure accountability to the community. Before a trespass notice is issued to a juvenile, a notification is sent to the juvenile’s parent/guardian.

Phoenix Parks and Recreation’s Code of Conduct Policy was developed jointly with the community we serve and is intended to benefit the public and protect the rights of individuals, and focuses on the actual behavior of a person. Phoenix Parks and Recreation reserves the right to define and identify disruptive behavior and/or actions that interfere with the positive and safe atmosphere in City parks and facilities.


 



 

Code of Conduct Policy:

​For the purposes of this policy, a facility is a City-owned building operated by the City or by an organization authorized to operate the building on the City’s behalf.

The following is not permitted in any Phoenix Parks and Recreation desert park, mountain preserve, park or facility (collectively “Park or Parks”):

  • Abusing or vandalizing a Park or its amenities in any way
  • Entering or using a Park or its amenities at any time other than during the posted hours of operation
  • Using, possessing or selling illegal drugs or possessing drug paraphernalia
  • Possessing or consuming alcohol without obtaining proper approval
  • Possessing weapons inside any City facility, as posted
  • Aggressive intimidation or harassment of patrons or City staff members including physical, sexual or verbal abuse
  • Obstructing other park guests’ use of Parks and Park amenities, or maintenance of the Park and Park amenities by City staff members
  • Using amenities, including picnic tables and playgrounds, outside of their intended or approved purpose
  • Bathing, sleeping, storing personal belongings or doing laundry in restrooms or facilities
  • Storing or leaving personal belongings unattended within any Park
  • Use of shopping carts as posted, or other wheeled devices when they create obstructions, unnecessary clutter or damage to landscaping
  • Charging for services, including exercise activities, guided hikes, sports and other special interest classes and activities, without obtaining proper approval
  • Assembling groups of 50 people or more without obtaining proper approval
  • Use of one or more ramadas in a Park for more than four hours per day, for two consecutive days, without obtaining proper approval
  • Use of amplified sound without obtaining proper approval
  • Use of tobacco products on all City park property
  • Animals inside facilities, except for service animals, which are permitted
  • Entering facilities without appropriate attire, as posted
  • Unlawful conduct that violates the Arizona Revised Statues, Phoenix City Code, or posted Park Rules or Behavior Policy
  • Activities that may endanger self, others, wildlife or Park property

In addition to the rules listed above, the following is not permitted in any desert park or mountain preserve:

  • ​Endangering children or vulnerable adults on difficult trails or in adverse weather conditions
  • Endangering dogs on difficult trails or in adverse weather conditions, such as temperatures over 100 degrees
  • Playing personal music via speakers; use of headphones is encouraged, as a courtesy to fellow hikers, on trails, at ramadas and in parking lots
  • Disregarding trail hierarchy; hikers and bicyclists yield to horses, bicyclists yield to hikers
  • Disregarding trail etiquette; downhill trail traffic flow yields to uphill trail traffic
  • Smoking/vaping
  • Defacing natural areas with chalk, marker, powder materials or other non-natural products
  • Moving rocks or other native material along a trail or altering the tread in such a way as to facilitate or encourage illegal trail use or to cause personal harm
  • Riding electric bicycles or other types of motorized vehicles on trails or off established park roads
  • Operating a metal detector and removing any found items
  • Placing of geocaches in a location within a park or preserve that does not fall within management guidelines for that area – all geocaches must be reviewed and approved by park management or they will be removed
  • Unauthorized off-trail activity


 



 

​​Trespass Policy:

​Park guests whose behavior violates the Code of Conduct Policy are educated about the policy. It is Phoenix Parks and Recreation’s policy to lead with education and raising awareness to achieve compliance with the Code of Conduct Policy. In situations in which verbal warnings and education have not been successful, City staff members have the authority to order a park guest to leave the park for the remainder of the day. In the event of repeated offenses, and with the approval of park management, park guests may be issued a trespass notice for a period of 30 days or more, applicable to the location where the violation(s) took place or to all Phoenix Parks and Recreation parks and facilities.

  • First offense will result in a verbal warning and education about the Code of Conduct Policy, and shall require immediate cessation of the behavior that violates the Code of Conduct Policy
  • Refusal to cease the behavior that violates the Code of Conduct Policy​ may result in an order to leave the park for the remainder of the day, pursuant to Phoenix City Code 24-54
  • Repeated offenses may result in the issuance of a trespass notice valid for 30 days from some or all parks and facilities
  • Park guests who previously received a verbal warning and have been issued a trespass notice, and continue to violate the Code of Conduct Policy, are subject to trespass periods of 60 days and greater from some or all parks and facilities
  • The following offenses are subject to immediate trespass periods of 60 days and greater from some or all parks and facilities:
    • ​Harassing patrons or staff members, including physical, sexual or verbal abuse
    • Violating any criminal law of the Phoenix City Code or the Arizona Revised Statutes​
Trespass notices must include information on why the park guest is being trespassed, the amount of time they are being trespassed for and the locations from which they are being trespassed. Additionally, the trespass notice provides information on how to appeal the trespass.​​

Before a trespass notice is issued to a juvenile, a notification is sent to the juvenile’s parent or guardian, informing them of the issue and providing education about the Code of Conduct Policy.


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Code of Conduct PolicyCity OrdinancesProcess to Appeal Trespass No​​ticeReview the Process of Approval for the Code of Conduct Policy

 

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