Lodi Parks Commission asks city to put restrictions on tents, shelters in public parks

The Lodi Parks and Recreation Commission has recommended that the city prohibit tents and shelters in parks unless they are open on at least three sides.

According to Parks, Recreation and Cultural Service Director Jeff Hood, the recommendation has been forwarded to the city attorney and the commission is waiting for staff to review the current ordinance and consider changes at the commission’s request.

“It’s pretty common in parks and rec agencies,” Hood said. “The thing about having tents and shelters in parks is that people who are occupying public places, they’re essentially claiming public space for their exclusive use for lengthy periods of time, and that’s not really conducive with the public park system.”

Having tents and shelters in the parks can interfere with the maintenance as well as the use and enjoyment of the park by others, Hood explained.

“We just want to make sure the parks are available for the entire community and that a person can’t simply decide they’re going to have exclusive use of an area for a lengthy period of time.”

Hood said that tents and shelters are spotted frequently at Lodi parks, particularly Lawrence Park.

“These aren’t a part of parks infrastructure, and it could make it difficult for our maintenance crews to move around, or they have to wait for these structures to be removed so they can continue the work,” Hood said.

Another concern about having tents and shelters in parks is that some parks have no available bathroom facilities, and that can lead to unsafe or unsanitary conditions for others using the park, Hood said.

“Obviously they have bodily function needs, and we’re not able to meet that need if our restrooms are closed or there are none in the park. Some of those parks are not made for longterm occupancy,” Hood said.

Hood said the commission is not targeting any particular group with its recommendation, but commissioners feel it’s a good policy. Many other cities have had similar ordinances on the books for years long before there was a homeless issue, Hood said. In 2015 the city updated its ordinance to prohibit tents and shelters on the beach at Lodi Lake, and the commission wants to modify that to include the rest of the city’s parks.

“A lot of places have gone through the steps of prohibiting tents and shelters on public and private property as well. That’s not something we’re pursuing,” Hood said. “We’re just simply trying to ensure that Lodi’s parks are safe and available to the entire community.”

If approved, Hood said the policy will be enforced by parks and rec employees as well as Lodi police officers.

“I approach people all the time,” Hood said. “If I see somebody violating an ordinance in a way that I think is damaging to parks, then I’ll personally ask people to change or stop what they’re doing.”

Hood is optimistic that citizens will also help to enforce the policy.

“A lot of our park visitors understand what the park rules are, and they believe that the community has a role in protecting our parks,” Hood said.