HomeMy WebLinkAboutA010 - Resolution to waive enforcement of Section 19.9 of Municipal Code on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (9:00 am - 8:00 pm) and Thursday, September 11, 2025 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm) at Ada Hayden Heritage ParkITEM #:12
DATE:07-22-25
DEPT:P&R
SUBJECT:REQUEST TO WAIVE ENFORCEMENT OF PROHIBITION OF MOTORIZED
VEHICLES IN ADA HAYDEN HERITAGE PARK
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Each September from 2004 through 2011, members of the local Moose Lodge provided golf
cart rides around Ada Hayden Heritage Park (AHHP) for older adults with mobility
impairments. Lodge members determined that if they did not provide this service, these
individuals may never get to experience the overall beauty of the 437-acre site. Although
motorized mobility devices (e.g., electric wheelchairs, motorized mobility scooters, etc.) are
permitted on the trails, many individuals do not have this type of device that enables them to
enjoy the park system.
In 2016 – 2019 and 2021 - 2024, the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park (Friends) provided
this valuable service to individuals with mobility impairments. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic,
the golf cart tours were not held in 2020. When the tours have been held, the Friends have
received many positive comments.
The Friends are proposing to offer tours on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 9:00 am –
8:00 pm, and Thursday, September 11, 2025, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The Friends will rent
golf carts, provide volunteers as drivers and interpreters, and provide the City with a
Certificate of Insurance to cover liability. Tours will be promoted, and reservations will
be taken for various time slots.
The Friends are aware of the upcoming Path Replacement Project and will be focusing this
year ’s tour on areas along the upland trail which will remain open. Tour guests will still meet at
the north shelter to begin the tour.
Municipal Code Section 19.9 restricts motorized vehicles to streets and parking lots.
Therefore, the Friends are requesting that the City Council waive enforcement of this
ordinance on Wednesday, September 10 (9:00 am - 8:00 pm) and Thursday, September 11
(9:00 am - 4:00 pm) at AHHP. This request is attached. The Parks and Recreation
Commission reviewed this request at its July 17, 2025 meeting and recommended City
Council grant this waiver.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Waive enforcement of Section 19.9 of Municipal Code on Wednesday, September 10
(9:00 am - 8:00 pm) and Tuesday, September 10 (9:00 am - 4:00 pm) at Ada Hayden
Heritage Park to allow the Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park to provide golf cart
tours to mobility impaired individuals.
2. Deny the request.
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CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The Friends of Ada Hayden Heritage Park are proposing to provide a tremendous
service for members of our community that otherwise would not have the opportunity
to tour this park in its entirety. Therefore, it is City Manager ’s recommendation to approve
Alternative #1 as stated above.
ATTACHMENT(S):
FAHHP 2025 Request Letter.pdf
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July 10, 2025
To: Keith Abraham, Director, Ames Parks and Recreation Director and Ames Parks Commissions
RE: Ada Hayden mobility challenged park tour event
Keith and Parks Commissioners:
Friends of Ada Hayden are requesting permission to provide an opportunity for Ames area residents
who have mobility issues to access Ada Hayden Park in the Fall ’25. We would rent golf carts,
provide a driver/interpreter for each cart and facilitate a 1.5 – 2.0 hour tour of the park. We are
aware of the scheduled construction but will use the upland trail. Our reviews for this event (2021-
’24) continue to be outstanding. In the past we have averaged 70+ participants annually and in
2024 we exceeded 100.
Our principal contacts have included the ever-growing senior housing complexes. Green Hills,
Northcrest, Northridge, The Meadows, Windsor Oaks, Vintage Cooperative, Village Cooperative and
others would welcome the event to continue. We are planning to expand the audience with
increased publicity and additional contacts.
We would like to offer this activity again in the Fall ’25. For 2025 we are proposing Wednesday,
September 10th and Thursday, September 11th for tours. Tours would be conducted beginning at
10:00 a.m. each day (three sessions – 10:00/12:00/2:00). A 6:00 p.m. tour will be scheduled on
Wednesday (the 10th) specifically for the City Council and members of the Park Commission.
The Friends group will provide liability/hazard insurance for both the City of Ames and the golf cart
company.
We are seeking approval from both the Parks Commission and the Ames City Council for a
temporary suspension of the “no motorized vehicles” rule on the trails to hold this special event.
The Friends of Ada Hayden are happy to provide this service to the mobility challenged residents of
the community at no cost to the City or the Parks Department. We appreciate your partnership and
that you will approve this request. Please let me know if you have questions or concerns about the
event.
Thank you.
James L. Patton, Board Member
Friends of the Ada Hayden Heritage Park
1829 Waterbury Circle, Ames, Iowa 50010
712-830-3736 Jlpatton.rotary@gmail.com
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