Milton Will Consider Updating Ordinance To Allow Firearms in Parks

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The Milton City Council on Monday will consider revising its Parks and Recreation ordinance to comply with a new state law that expands where licensed weapons owners can carry firearms.

The council will consider aligning its ordinance with the state law during its meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. at Milton City Hall. City Hall sits at 13000 Deerfield Parkway.

The state legislature earlier this year passed House Bill 60, which subsequently became effective on July 1. The law allows a resident who has a weapons carry permit to openly carry a firearm at a public park.

Milton’s ordinance would also make it illegal to discharge a firearm or possess or discharge fireworks at a public park. Additionally, it modifies the hours of operations of certain parks.

The proposed amendment states “parks with lighted athletic fields shall be closed between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m.; all other parks shall be closed from dusk until dawn; no person shall be authorized to be on the premises or property of any city park when they are closed, except authorized city employees or persons engaged in activities authorized by the recreation and parks director or the city manager.”

Council members will also consider final approval of establishing a Historic Crabapple District.

The 23 parcels — situated on 25.170 acres — are located along Crabapple and Mayfield roads between Broadwell Road/Birmingham Highway and Charlotte Drive. It also includes 20 areas that have been designated as historic sites.

The council’s complete agenda can be viewed online.