Measure to Close Parks Early Advances

With concerns growing over crime in parks, a City Council committee this week approved a draft measure that would close many San Fernando Valley parks at dusk rather than 10:30 p.m.

The draft ordinance would formalize what is now the temporary policy in many parts of the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area, and would allow park rangers to issue citations to people who venture after sunset into several other valley parks.

In a hearing Tuesday, members of the Arts, Health and Humanities Committee agreed to forward the measure to the full council, but some questioned whether the sunset curfew was really needed.

“We are not convinced that closing parks early is the best way,” said Morrie Goldman, chief legislative deputy to City Councilman Mike Hernandez, who sits on the committee. “Does closing a park deter crime? . . . Maybe it makes more sense to find activities for kids at night.”

Hernandez has asked the Los Angeles Police Department to review the proposal before it goes to the City Council.

The draft ordinance proposes sunset closure for Kagel Canyon Park in Lake View Terrace, Stoney Point Park in Chatsworth, Villa Cabrini Park on the edge of Burbank, Orcas Park near Hansen Dam, Knapp Ranch Park Annex in Woodland Hills. Also covered are Palisades, Bridle Trails, Wilbur-Tampa, Eddleston, Limekiln Canyon, Porter Ridge and Viking parks in Porter Ranch, and Woodley Park, Woodley Flight Field, Sepulveda Wildlife Reserve, the north parking lot of Balboa Park and Lake Balboa Park in Sepulveda Basin.

Two other parks outside the valley are also being considered for early closure. All other city parks close at 10:30 p.m. and open at dawn, park officials said.

The city Recreation and Parks Commission recommended early closure for these parks over the course of the past year, said Joan Thomas, commission secretary. The action followed reports that park rangers feared for their safety, and growing public concern over lewd conduct and violent incidents in city parks, including two murders last year in Sepulveda Basin.