Private classes, smoking may be banned from Newport beaches, parks [CORRECTED]

Personal trainers and others may have to get permission from the city if they want to hold classes on beaches or parks in Newport Beach.

That rule would take effect if the Parks & Recreation Commission approves it Tuesday, and the City Council passes it later. [This corrects the date of the meeting.]

A staff report says the change would ban “instructional activity for monetary gain” because the private classes interfere with the public programs organized by the city, and they limit public access to parks and beaches.

“Moreover, these individuals are using public parks and beaches for personal financial gain while at the same time their increased use of the parks and beaches is draining the city’s limited resources to maintain them,” the report says.

Any instructor would have to obtain written permission from the Recreation & Senior Services Department before conducting courses.

Also Wednesday, the commission will vote on banning smoking in public parks, something the City Council tentatively approved in April.

The Parks & Recreation Commission meets at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

— Mike Reicher