Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – The Public Services Council Committee on Tuesday forwarded an ordinance to the full city council regarding designated camping areas in the city.

According to the resolution, no person will be allowed to camp in a city parking lot or city park unless they are in a designated area. “Camping” is defined as erecting a shelter/tent of natural or synthetic material or preparing a sleeping bag/bedding material for the “apparent purpose of overnight occupancy.”

Violating the ordinance would be punishable by a fine of no less than $100 upon first violation. The ordinance notes that special permit can be granted for those wishing to camp in a restricted area during a “special event.”

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City attorney Carol Duncan said the ordinance also applies to RV camping, but also that it serves as a “jumping off point” to keep people in designated camping areas as the city looks to expand its parks.

Jonesboro Parks and Recreation Director Jim Stearns told committee members that camping in Craighead Forest Park by local Boy Scout troops would not be affected by the ordinance.

“The process for them, they would fill out a special event permit for their event,” he said. “As long as they do it with permission, and that’s what we want them to do.”

Other activities held in Jonesboro parks and parking lots, such as disc golf tournaments, or during BBQ Fest, when vendors would set up RVs, would not be affected either, provided they fill out special event permits, Stearns added.

The ordinance will be considered at the next city council meeting, scheduled for Oct. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

For more information about camping in Jonesboro, click here.

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