By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
City ordinance 16 04.465 permits sledding at Grandview Park in Sioux City but does that mean that the City should be liable for injuries there?
"I don't understand why some of the things that are covered, are covered and sledding is not covered. I think it would be very beneficial to communities to not have that cloud over them," said Mayor Bob Scott.
Mayor Bob Scott says the city can't afford hefty lawsuits attached to sledding injuries. But if someone gets hurt sledding on a city hill, the city foots the bill.
In fact, its just getting over a 2008 case that cost $480,000 in damages.
An extreme case, sure, But sledding can result in a crash or two.
So, if a child gets seriously hurt, should it be the city who has to pay for the injuries...or the parent?
Cassie McChesney, a parent, said, "The parents because they're the ones allowing their kids to take the sleds down the hills."
City leaders agree.
And they're depending on a legislator to sponsor a bill adding sledding to the list of limited liabilities.
"Seems like it'd be a non-partisan, non-controversial thing. If you limit the liability on cycling, and you limit the liability on skateboarding, I don't understand why there wouldn't be a limitation on sledding," said Mayor Scott.
Remember, sledding is only allowed in two designated areas: Grandview Park and Sertoma Park.
