Student Handout 1.7 - No Vehicles in the Park

The town of Beautifica has established a lovely park because the Town Council wanted to preserve some elements of nature, undisturbed by city noise, traffic, pollution, and crowding. It is a place where citizens can go to find grass, trees, flowers, and quiet. At all the entrances to the park the following sign has been posted: No Vehicles in the Park.

The law seems clear, but some disputes have arisen over the interpretation of the law. Pretend you are the local judge, and interpret the law in each of the following cases. As you make a decision, remember the intent of the law while following the letter or exact wording. Your decision should be fair to the Town Council who represent the people of Beautifica, as well as to the individuals mentioned in each situation below:

• Joan Smith lives on one side of the town and works on the other side. She can save ten minutes if she drives through the park.
• There are many garbage cans in the park so that people may deposit all litter there and keep the park clean. The sanitation department wants to drive into the park to collect the garbage.
• An ambulance carrying a dying accident victim is racing to the hospital. The shortest route is through the park.
• Some adults who visit the park want to ride their bicycles there.
• Some children who visit the park want to ride their bicycles there.
• A senior citizen likes to skateboard in the park.
• A monument to the town's citizens who died in World War II is being constructed. A tank, donated by the government, is to be placed beside the monument.

(Source: Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan. Reprinted with permission.)