By Tom Blodgett
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Gilbert officials are looking at updates to the municipal code to improve the management and accessibility of parks and bus stops.

At a study session for Gilbert Town Council on Nov. 19, staff presented the changes, emphasizing community impact and efficiency.

Lane Graham, recreation and program manager for Gilbert, said the Parks and Recreation Department is proposing an amendment that will require a reservation permit when using a ramada or picnic area for more than three hours.

Currently, ramadas operate on a first-come, first-served basis, which has led to conflicts. QR codes at park facilities already provide real-time reservation details, and the new policy aims to enhance availability.

“This increases the availability and usage for the general public to be able to walk up and use that ramada as well,” Graham said. “In addition, it's maximizing the opportunities for public use.”

To avoid disputes, the three-hour limit would encourage advanced reservations and discourage extended monopolization of spaces. Enforcement will rely on park rangers and community cooperation, Graham said.

Assistant Police Chief Mike Angstead presented related updates that introduce a one-hour occupancy limit at bus shelters. The changes aim to prevent prolonged or inappropriate use of these spaces.

Angstead said the rule aligns with the town’s longest bus route wait times.

Currently, bus shelters lack time restrictions, which could lead to misuse. Stead noted this has not yet been a major issue but emphasized the proactive nature of the changes.

 “We don’t want to be reactive in the future, so we’re trying to get ahead,” he said.

Both proposals focus on balancing public access and preventing conflicts or misuse. Officials are revising vague language in the ordinances to ensure clarity and fairness before presenting them to council for final approval.

Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).