SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The city is proposing a new bylaw - complete with a hefty $2,000 fine - that limits what people can do in public parks and facilities.

If carried, the new bylaw would allow the community services director to ban activities ranging from throwing balls and sledding to walking off trails and carrying a hunting knife in certain areas.

"It allows us to address any actions that detract from the design of the area or are a dangerous activity," said Grant White, director of community services. "If you go to a park, and use it for what it's designed for, that's the intent of the bylaw."

He said the bylaw would only apply to certain areas at the discretion of the enforcement officer; for instance people wouldn't be able to throw objects in the lobby of a recreation facility or in a pool.

He downplayed the changes, saying "if (a ball is being thrown) inside the lobby of the arena, we'd ask people to stop. If it's being done in Parker Park, obviously it's designed for that, so no big deal."

When asked how people will know what they can and cannot do, White said they should consider what the park is designed for.

"The golf club is an easy one. If you want to swing a golf club, go to the golf club, otherwise it's going to be an activity that puts other people at risk. That's really the intent."

"There will be no change in the way we enforce parks bylaws," he added. "If you spoke to our (Municipal Enforcement Division) guys, they're going to tell you they can't be everywhere all the time. A lot of what they will respond to is either public complaints or staff complaints."

White said the new bylaw is designed to clarify wording used in the old bylaw and identify what activities are suitable for specific recreation areas.

"Hordal Park is a nice, quiet, passive park, you wouldn't want anyone swinging a golf club in there," said White when asked about the sporting activities section, which also precludes operating an amplification system and taking part in a procession or concert.

As director, White has the discretion to determine what is a designated area for many of the activities.

"The determination that the director can specifically determine whether a plastic ball of any kind in any way could be propelled, I can see that as kids playing catch in fields and I'm quite concerned," said city councillor Lydia Bardak.

When the bylaw came before council on Sept. 14, Bardak also questioned some of the bylaws that duplicated laws covered in the criminal code.

White said the proposed bylaw changes were drafted to reflect current facilities and language, as they hadn't been updated in more than 10 years.

The proposed bylaws can be found online on the city's website. It includes a five-page list of city parks and recreational facilities.

After little discussion councillors voted on the first two readings of the bylaw at Monday night's council meeting. Both votes carried. Bardak and Coun. Paul Falvo were the only councillors opposed.

Third and final reading will be held at the next council meeting on Oct. 26.