Phoenix requires pre-approval for medical care in city parks

By Mark Carlisle
Mail | X: @mwcarlisle

Phoenix City Council on Wednesday banned all non-emergency medical care from being conducted in city parks unless given specific authorization by the city.

The ordinance does not go into effect until March 30 and could be updated after staff confers with organizations who provide medical care in the parks.

Dozens of people came out to oppose the new ordinance, saying it could cost people’s lives. City officials say it will still be possible to administer some medical aid in park, they just want to ensure it is done in a way that keeps parks safe to everyone.

Many of those in opposition were employees of organizations who provide medical care to people in city parks, primarily those experiencing homelessness.

“It jeopardizes those who are the most vulnerable, those who might not always have a voice, those who might not always know what services are available,” said Ashley Byrd, patient navigator for Circle the City.

Phoenix Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar said the ordinance was aimed at things like syringe and needle exchanges or distribution of harm reduction kits — which provide clean needles and other materials to safely administer illicit drugs — that can leave unsafe materials behind in parks as well as treatment such as cleaning of open wounds that can leave biosafety hazard concerns on park property.

A vehicle is parked at a Phoenix park for a pop-up medical care event.

(Courtesy city of Phoenix)

Aguilar noted the Parks Department has a process where the public can submit an activity request form to request organized and coordinated activities. She also noted the ordinance does not prohibit providing information to people in parks about what medical care is available and transporting them to that care.

The ordinance also does not apply to first responders such as firefighters or EMS, anyone administering aid to someone experiencing a medical emergency, anyone administering the overdose-reversing drug naloxone or to anyone administering aid to a member of their family.

Councilmember Laura Pastor added an amendment to the council agenda item requesting that staff meet with health care providers who provide  services to review the ordinance and identify any potential clarification that could support provisions of service by medical professionals while keeping parks safe for all users.

Councilmember Anna Hernandez was the only no vote, saying she “vehemently” opposed the ordinance.

“People will die if we pass this ordinance,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez also criticized the process of approving the ordinance while keeping the door open to potentially update it in the coming months.

“We are completely doing this process backwards by voting on something that we have zero guarantee on what the language will be,” she said.

Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Mark Carlisle
Associate Editor | Phoenix

mcarlisle@iniusa.org

Meet Mark

Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.

Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library  and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.

Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.

Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.

 Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.