(a) The commissioner of transportation, subject to the approval of the city council, may designate certain streets or parts of streets, other than main thoroughfares, as play streets to be devoted to recreational purposes for children, under proper regulation and supervision. Such designation shall describe the street or part of the street to be used for such purpose, the hours of the day and the days of the week when it shall be roped off, and such other directions as he may deem necessary for the protection of the children and of the public. In preparing his recommendations, the commissioner shall give preference to neighborhoods where recreation space and playground facilities are not otherwise available, and such streets or parts of streets on which vehicular traffic is light shall be selected. It shall be the duty of the heads of the several departments of the city government to render such assistance in the administration of the play street system as shall be necessary to insure safety to the children using same.
(b) During the hours that any play street is in use for recreation, the roadway thereof shall be closed to vehicular traffic by removable barriers. Such barriers shall be kept in place until the close of the period of recreation each day that it is to be used and shall then be removed.
(c) Whenever authorized barriers are erected indicating any street or part thereof as a play street, no person shall drive a vehicle upon such street or part thereof except drivers having business or whose residences are within such closed area, and each such driver shall exercise the greatest care in driving upon any such street or portion thereof.
(Added Coun. J. 7-12-90, p. 18634; Amend Coun. J. 12-11-91, p. 10832)