Mayor Greg Nickels and the Seattle Parks and Recreation have put into effect a new rule that prohibits the possession or display of firearms at designated facilities where children and youth are likely to be present, which includes most city-owned open space or recreational facilities.

“When children and families visit a Seattle Parks and Recreation pool, playground, community center or other facility, they are entitled to a reasonable expectation of safety,” said Nickels in a news release. “It’s common sense to prohibit guns in places where kids and young adults play and learn.”

Firearms will be prohibited at designated facilities only after signs are posted notifying visitors of the new rule. By noon on Friday, Oct. 16, signs will be posted at South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave. S; Garfield Community Center, 2323 E. Cherry St.; and Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden Ave. N.

The signs will be posted in phases, beginning with community centers, pools and the most intensively used play areas and ballfields. All designated facilities will be posted by Dec. 1.

Anyone who enters one of the posted facilities with a gun will be asked by Parks personnel or Seattle police officers to leave the areas where firearms are prohibited. If they refuse to leave, they may be subject to citation or arrest for criminal trespass by Seattle police.

Designated facilities that will be covered by the rule include:

• 26 community centers
• Four environmental learning centers
• 10 pools
• 30 wading pools and water play areas
• Two small craft centers
• Two specialized facilities (tennis center, performing arts center)
• 139 playgrounds and play areas
• 213 ballfields
• Six late night recreation sites
• Three teen life centers
• 82 outdoor tennis and basketball courts
• Two skateparks
• Five golf courses
• Nine swimming beaches

City officials said the new law is in response to a number of dangerous incidents that have occurred at city owned parks in the last few years.