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Garland Parks and Recreation

  • Laws and ordinances provide the foundation for controlling activities and behavior within the jurisdiction of the agency. General municipal codes, laws and ordinances and state and federal laws are applicable to parks and recreation areas and facilities. However, these laws generally have broad application and lack specificity as they relate to the control and management of parks and recreation areas and facilities. Special laws and ordinances may be enacted to specifically address and guide public use and behavior and may delegate authority to issue and enforce permits, licenses, rules and regulations applicable to parks and recreation areas and facilities. Agency staff are first-in-line to gain compliance with ordinances, rules and regulations. Regardless of whether the agency employs law enforcement officers or contracts for law enforcement services, agency staff have a responsibility to educate patrons on the proper use of parks, recreation areas and facilities. However, when patrons fail to comply, enforcement becomes the responsibility of sworn law enforcement officers. For agencies relying on the services of law enforcement officers from other jurisdictions or departments, it is essential that formalized liaison relationships be established between agency staff and the official law enforcement organization. Particular attention should be given to national, state and local emergency plans and procedures. (CH 9 Risk Mgmt. starts here) A comprehensive risk management plan is essential to minimize legal liabilities and personal injuries. The agency shall implement approaches for identification and control of risks based on the specific needs of the agency. There is no prescriptive method for identification of all risks suitable for all entities; the method and tools used will vary. Risk management is an on-going process that must be systematically evaluated for effectiveness and adjustments made as appropriate. Responsibilities must be assigned, and structure set in place to implement an effective plan. The analysis shall include the direct costs (staffing, insurance, prevention) and indirect costs (time lost from work by injured employees, damage to equipment and facilities, failure to provide services and loss of income). In some cases, the risk management plan and function may occur outside the park and recreation agency by another government authority. Special cooperative arrangements should be in place with other public departments and agencies, private contractors, and community organizations. directed toward large-scale natural disasters, such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, and floods. Plans should include evacuation procedures, inventories and locations of equipment and materials, displacement plans for facility residents and activities, and provision of psychological aid for staff affected by emergencies.

  • There shall be a designated person or team responsible for the agency's Risk

    Management functions. This person/team shall provide strategy and technical expertise in relation to loss control. This position/team shall lead the agency in

    implementation of risk management strategies following a risk identification/strategy development/evaluation/repeat cycle.

     

     

     

    Required Evidence of Compliance

    • Provide the job description and relevant education/experience for the position(s) involved in risk management on behalf of the agency (municipal/agency staff and/or consultants).

    • Provide a narrative describing how risks are identified, assessed, and managed/transferred, including but not limited to facility inspection systems and pre-program risk assessments.

    • Provide the most recent risk assessment data report.

    • Provide recent evidence of up to two changes to policy, procedure, or practice made as a result of the risk management process, if changes are made.


  • There shall be codes, laws, ordinances, policies, and/or rules in place to protect the public's health, safety, and welfare while using agency's facilities or property.

     

    Required Evidence of Compliance

    • Provide documentation of the codes, laws, and ordinances that pertain specifically to areas and facilities under the jurisdiction of the agency and describe how they are posted or otherwise readily available to park patrons.

  • Agencies shall have documented a general security plan and procedures that may include how it intends for staff to manage lock and key systems, alarm systems, opening and closing procedures, fire alarm and fire suppression systems, and emergency evacuation procedures.

     

     

     

    Required Evidence of Compliance

    • Provide the agency’s general security plan or compilation of security plans from each major area, building or facility with information on the most recent review or update. These plans may include

      • locking key systems and associated assignments; Alarm system and assignment of security codes; Opening and closing procedures; Fire alarm and fire suppression systems; and Emergency evacuation procedures.

    • Provide a narrative detailing how planned elements are trained. If you are unable to share plans due to security limitations, submit a redacted or summary version showing table of contents and core procedures.

  • There shall be ongoing and routine safety training employed by the agency and available to employees at all levels within the organization.

     

     

     

    Required Evidence of Compliance

    • Provide evidence of staff training opportunities identified in the standard.

  • Agencies shall have established policies and enforcement procedures for the handling of disruptive behavior on agency property.

     

     

     

    Required Evidence of Compliance

    • Provide current procedures regarding handling of disruptive behavior.

     

    Include a narrative describing the relationship with law enforcement and roles of both agency staff and law enforcement officers in managing incidents

  • Agencies shall coordinate safety and security details for special events, facilities, etc. with local law enforcement, public works, and other appropriate agencies.

     

     

     

    Required Evidence of Compliance

    • Provide a recent example of coordination with other departments/agencies on traffic control, parking plans, crowd control, safety, and security for activities and events hosted or facilitated by the agency.

    • If you are unable to share event security plans, please note that and describe outside agency engagement in the process.

  • Agencies shall document and analyze accident/incident reports as a part of the risk identification processes.

     

     

     

    Required Evidence of Compliance

    • Provide three accident/incident reports from each of the last five years. If seeking initial accreditation, a minimum of one year of evidence is required.

    • Provide a narrative describing at least three examples that demonstrate how accident/incident data informs decisions made to reduce risk after an incident or accident.

  • Agencies shall have in place and practiced a plan to manage emergencies or natural disasters as they arise. Staff shall be trained on the plan and will practice scenarios intended to ensure professional response when an incident occurs.

     

     

     

    Required Evidence of Compliance

    Please note: These plans are typically coordinated through an Emergency Management Office or Police/Fire and address high level emergency action planning as opposed to the general security plans/systems included in standard 8.3.

    • Provide the applicable emergency management plan with the most recent date of approval. If, due to security concerns, the emergency management plan is not available for public review, provide the emergency management plan table of contents.

    • Provide documentation of in-service training programs on emergency management, including a dated outline of the presentation topics and a roster of participants. In-service training and/or drill practice will be considered met if conducted at least annually.

  • Crises are likely events, whether they are associated with larger emergency events such as natural disasters, man-made events, or tragic accidents like accidental drownings. Agencies shall have strategies in place and a practice to mitigate further stressors in the aftermath of a crisis.

     

     

     

    Required Evidence of Compliance

    • Provide evidence of crisis response management strategies employed by the agency. Examples of strategies may include an employee assistance program, crisis response activities, partnerships with first responders, emergency management organizations, or counseling agencies, and the like.

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