Roseburg Parks Commission Backs Expanding Fireworks Ban To All City Parks And Parking Lots

The Roseburg Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday recommended a municipal code change that would prohibit fireworks in all city parks and adjacent parking lots, a move discussed as part of ongoing fire-safety concerns and past issues in local parks.

During the meeting, commission members reviewed a proposal to amend Roseburg Municipal Code 7.02.120 to broaden the city’s fireworks restrictions. Currently, the Roseburg Municipal Code only prohibits the use of fireworks in Stewart Park. The discussion indicated the existing wording appears to stem from the time when fireworks displays were held at Stewart Park, and members said they were surprised the prohibition had not already been extended to all city parks years ago.

Staff said the city has had problems with fireworks in parks before, including incidents last summer at Sunshine Park in July. One speaker noted that fireworks activity was an issue not only on the Fourth of July itself, but also in the days leading up to and following the holiday.

Commission members also discussed whether the proposed rule would apply only to certain types of fireworks or to all of them. During the conversation, one member asked whether the language covered sparklers, aerial fireworks or all fireworks, and the response given in the meeting was that it covered all fireworks, except for a paper-related exception referenced in the code language under review.

The discussion also made clear that the code would still allow fireworks in parks through an application process under controlled conditions. Staff said the ordinance still permits fireworks use in parks with an application “to make sure that the conditions are right,” and members referenced past city fireworks events that went through a permit process rather than informal use.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on the wording of the ordinance, particularly the phrase “display, use, or explosion of any fireworks.” Commission members questioned whether the word “display” could be interpreted too broadly. One member raised a hypothetical concern that a person could appear to be violating the ordinance simply by showing fireworks to a friend, while others said the intended meaning was clearly the act of setting fireworks off for others to watch. Members then discussed whether “display” should be replaced with “ignition” to make the language clearer.

The commission also talked about how the rule would likely be enforced. One speaker said enforcement would depend in part on what other complaints were happening at the time and would fall within law enforcement’s priorities. Another said a “reasonable person” interpretation would likely apply and that it was unlikely a judge would view a child merely showing fireworks to friends as a violation of the rule.

Members further discussed whether signs in city parks should be updated if the proposed code change moves forward. Staff said the city is already looking at updating existing signage, and one participant suggested adding a separate sign with “No fireworks” in large letters to make the rule clear to park visitors.

At the end of the discussion, the Roseburg Parks and Recreation Commission voted to forward a recommendation to the Roseburg City Council to amend the municipal code. The motion passed without opposition, sending the proposal to council for further consideration.