MARSHALL - After some deliberation between board members about whether to establish an age limit for unsupervised minors at its parks, the Marshall Town Board ultimately scrapped the restriction.
In its Aug. 17 meeting, the board approved an updated version of its Ordinance Establishing Rules and Procedures for Blannahassett Island, which was originally adopted in 2013, to include enforcement at its other parks, including Rollins Park and Pocket Park.
The original ordinance included 14 rules, while the ordinance approved in the Aug. 17 proposed adds another five.
Town Administrator Ryan Cody said the ordinance came before the board so the town can post signs at the parks to enforce the rules at Blannahassett Island and its other parks.
"Otherwise,
somebody could set up camp up in Rollins, and we really have no ability to enforce that," Cody told The News-Record Sept. 2.
The town and Appalachian Design Center are teaming up to help reshape the future for Blannahassett Island, one of Madison County's most recognizable landmarks, after it was devastated during 2024's Tropical Storm Helene.
Blannahassett Island can be considered a kind of floating cornerstone for both Madison County and the town of Marshall. The roughly 10-acre tract in the middle of the French Broad River was part of the first 50-acre piece of land parceled from Buncombe to Madison, creating a seat for the new county in 1853. The center is also working with the town to explore revitalizing the former Marshall pool site on Skyway Drive. Opened in 1974, the site hosted county-wide Olympic-style games, summer picnics and countless pool parties.
When maintenance costs proved too much for the town to bear, the site shuttered in 1988, according to a previous News-Record article.
One of the rules establishes that "parents or guardians are responsible for the safety of their children." Board members debated whether to add an age limit, and if so, what age, for unsupervised park visitors.
In its initial discussion with Cody on the ordinance Aug. 17 , the board considered 16 years old and up for its rules.
Resident Vivian Long said she felt an age restriction was "draconian."
"If their parents think they are responsible enough, and their parents allow them to go, then they should be allowed to be there," Long said.
But board members, including Aileen Payne, said they felt there should be a limit.
"10 years old, and 9 years old — no, I don't believe in them being by themselves," she said.
"Anybody and everybody can go to the Island. If a child is there by themselves, and they're 10 years old or 8 years old, we'd rather have a parent with them, supervising them, and looking at the people who are conversing with them and trying to connect with them," said board member Billie Jean Haynie.
Board member Thomas Jablonski said he believes children's safety comes down to police discretion.
"If kids are acting responsible, it's not really an issue. But it'd be nice to have a rule in the books where if they're not, there's a problem, and they can look at that," Jablonski said.
Kids' safety questions
Cody said he and Marshall Police Chief Kenny Brown focused in the updated ordinance on the safety of children.
Cody said Brown had heard from a few residents who were concerned about minors riding skateboards, bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles in downtown, citing cars' high speeds through downtown and the increased traffic post-Helene.
In 2025, the board discussed potentially restricting skateboards, bicycles and non-motorized vehicles in response to at least one near-accident involving a minor and a vehicle in downtown.
"(Chief) was going to talk to some parents and have some conversations to make sure they know the importance of being safe in downtown," Cody said. "The last thing I want to do is start putting all kinds of rules and restrictions on things."
According to Cody, Brown planned to follow up with parents regarding the park rules as well.
"I think he was going to try to talk to people and let them know they need to be aware, and kids need to be aware," Cody said. "I don't like to put restrictions on. But at the same time, I don't want to be the one getting a call saying, 'Hey, you could've done something about this.'"
In addition to prohibiting camping or open fires, the other rules for the use of town parks include:
- Parking is permitted only in designated areas.
- No bikes or motorized vehicles on grass or walking trail.
- No vending or soliciting without town approval
- No littering, no unauthorized posting of signs and no possession and/or consumption of alcohol or use of illegal drugs.
- People fishing must have a state fishing license and follow N.C. Fish and Wildlife regulations.
- Pet owners must pick up waste after their pets - as town provides bags and dump stations throughout parks - and pets must be on a leash, with a maximum of 8 feet.
The updated ordinance also clarifies that the first rule of limiting park hours from dawn to dusk is published in the most recent sunrise/sunset table of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Marshall rejects age restriction for unsupervised youths at parks
