City officials in San Juan Capistrano, California, are trying to figure
out exactly how flip-flops became banned at two city parks. The
flip-flop ban is in place at Los Rios Park in the city’s historic
district and at a recently opened dog park, said city spokeswoman Cathy
Salcedo. The rule had gone largely unnoticed at Los Rios. But when the
dog park opened in August and the rules were posted, several
commissioners with the city's Parks, Recreation and Senior Services were
befuddled.
During a meeting in August the commissioners said they didn’t understand
why the flip-flop ban had been implemented. “I wouldn’t think twice
about going into the dog park in my flip-flops,” said Commission Vice
Chairwoman Jenny Friess. “I don’t think we need to really be telling
people what to wear on their feet.”
On Monday, Commission Secretary Cynthia Alexander said she had been
informed by city staff that the ban was designed to protect the city
from liability under a template provided by the California Joint Powers
Insurance Authority, which provides liability insurance to dozens of
cities in the state. Salcedo, the spokeswoman, said she believed the ban
had been implemented in response to a recommendation from the city’s
insurer but added that she was trying to reach the project manager who
oversaw Los Rios Park to be sure.
During the Monday meeting, some of the commissioners
said they had even worn flip-flops to the dog park’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Alexander said the rule is not enforced because there is no supervision
at the park. “If you go to the park with flip-flops there’s no one
going to tell you to leave the park,” she said. “You’re using it at your
own risk.” Commissioner Gerald Muir took issue with that. "Why have
rules that you’re not going to enforce?" he said.
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