Note: please note that this profile of a policy option or program model should (a) link back to the issue overview on this topic, (b) be focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (c) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you.

This policy option profile relates to the following issue overview(s):

• Park Use Policy
• Bounce House Policy  

Summary 

The following is a policy proposal that applies to all individuals and groups that make use of a bounce house or similar apparatus in the City of Berkeley, California.  The proposal was created by a student intern with Berkeley Parks, Recreation & Waterfront through the Cal in Local Government Internship Program, sponsored by the Cal Corps Public Service Center at the University of California, Berkeley.

Goal  short description of the policy or program goal  

• To ensure that Berkeley park patrons and user groups comply with reasonable standards that promote safety and reasonable enjoyment of parks and public facilities.  

Scope of the Problem  Problem factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future

• Berkeley residents were calling the Parks, Recreation & Waterfront office concerning the noise that bounce house's created throughout the day.  According to one resident, the motor of the gas that allows the bounce house to stay inflated has a "piercing" noise.  Berkeley residents were also disturbed with the hours bounce house users chose to utilize in the parks. 
• Parks employees were concerned with the grass that endured long hours of heavy bounce houses. The grass underneath the bounce houses became limp, yellow and dead. Further, the stakes used to keep the bounce houses from moving would ruin the grass and leave holes in the ground. 

Current Policy  Summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs and funding

• Cities throughout the East Bay similar in size and demographic that have enacted legislation concerning the park use of bounce houses were examined. 
• Rules most frequently used in the park use policies of bounce houses were complied and chosen for policy implementation according to the goals that Berkeley Parks, Recreation & Waterfront aspired to obtain and Berkeley resident input. For example, some cities allowed stakes that were a certain number of inches. Ultimately, it was decided that stakes were prohibited in City parks and bounce houses must be free standing and weighted with sandbags. 
• Berkeley parks were inspected to figure out the best use of bounce houses to avoid hazards for young children and noise complaints. 

Summary of Bounce House Policy Proposal

Below is a list of key bounce house rules and regulations as described in the policy:

• Bounce houses must be free standing and weighted. Stakes are prohibited in City parks and public facilities. Bounce houses must not be tethered to trees, tables, or other amenities or structures. 
• Bounce house uses will be responsible or providing a generator for inflation. The generator will be one noted as "quiet" and not generate noise in excess of City standards.
• The generator shall be placed a safe distance from the bounce house and all electrical cords properly insulated, grounded and covered to prevent tripping hazards. Electrical cords running across a public street from a private residence are prohibited. 
• All bounce houses and generators will be placed not more than 50 feet from the location of the area authorized for the event as stated in the Facility Use Permit. 
• Privately owned bounce houses and other similar inflatable, as well as those that use water or have water features as part of the bounce house/inflatable are prohibited in the City's parks and public spaces.
• Inflatables must have at least 15-foot clearance from any object that could cause harm to users (i.e. sidewalk, trees, benches, lamp posts etc.) or the public. 

Status    Indicates whether this policy or program has been adopted in more locations or remains a proposal 

• Currently in legislation in Berkeley, California. 

Contact 

To learn more about the Cal in Local Government Internship Program, e-mail us at calinlocalgovt@berkeley.edu or check out our website at http://students.berkeley.edu/osl/calcorps.asp?id=1095.