Where does the parking lot begin and the path end? The path could just as easily be interpreted to exit to the parking lot, as it could be understood to somehow continue across it. Are there two paths? One on each side of the parking lot? Or should we just assume, in the absence of signage, that the citation's indicated "sidewalk" is part of the "parking lot."

There are no guidelines. No signs. No indicators, aside a rubber pad on the ground which is limited to subjective interpretation in the absence of clearly stated signage. Balloons may well be as informative as the pad.

The "space" does in fact have a worn away statement that may have said something to the effect of "no parking" perhaps, but is now illegible.

It is the responsibility of the city to properly maintain such warnings and in their absence, there's an opportunity for the city to be reasonable and fair and refund every last single person who has been cited there, and refrain from citing further until it is fixed.

Call me foolish, but I believe there's a reason any given "no parking zone" is marked as such.

There's also a reason why a warning saying "Do not drink" has to be placed on the label for Bleach.

How does the person in a wheelchair coming down the path to their vehicle in the designated disabled parking spot get there if another vehicle is parked across the "end" of the path?

You're welcome to ask for improvements, but if it were me, I wouldn't bother asking for the citation to be contested. As one that frequently visits that park, I've never seen others park in those locations, even when at peak capacity (July 4th). Simply looking around and reading the scene should suggest that a vehicle never belonged parked on the pedestrian right-of-way.

Wheelchair access indeed seems very valid. Why hasn't the city been maintaining a series of painted letters on the ground to the point that they are at least legible? They must have been important enough to put there in the first place.

I'm not clear either on how many citations may have been issued daily from 7am-10pm. I imagine if it's a great number, the city surely will be looking to put in appropriate signage or barriers to parking as a first consideration, as it surely wouldn't sit right with supervisors to let people continue to pay citation revenue for this shortcoming.

Your interest in bringing about improvements sounds reasonable, imo. Here's hoping that something positive and for the betterment of the community comes from it.

That being said, I'd still imagine it would be an uphill battle to try to argue against the citation, but of course you are free to pursue justice through any legal means.

The City does review the requests sent through this app, but it may not be seen immediately, especially with all else that's going on in the area right now.

P.S.: another question one might ask is why there weren't enough other valid spots available. I've seen what looks like parking lot mechanics and RVs/campers occupying what are clearly marked via signage as 4hr time limit parking, intended for use by park guests. If citations are being written for other violations, then why not address the cars up on jack stands with parts strewn about (and fluid leaks), or the ones that seem to have been in one spot so long as to appear abandoned?