The City Council, under M.S. §§ 398.31 to 398.36, as they may be amended from time to time, in performing its primary duty of the acquisition, development and maintenance of parks, wildlife sanctuaries, forest and other reservations and providing the means for public access to historic sites, lakes, rivers, streams and other natural phenomena is granted full power and authority to acquire and establish parks and to operate, maintain, protect and improve a park system and conduct a recreational program. As an aid to the accomplishment of these duties, the Board is granted the authority to enact ordinances and to declare that the violation thereof shall be a penal offense.