(A) All city parks owned or operated by the city, within or without the city limits, except the Alva Recreation Complex (ARC), shall be open to the general public from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., daily.
(B) It shall be unlawful for any person, other than city personnel conducting city business therein, to occupy or be present in any such city park during any hours the parks are not open to the public.
(C) The Chief of Police or the City Council shall have the authority to determine earlier or later opening and closing time of the city parks to accommodate special events and activities occurring therein. Any such request to extend the hours of usage shall be made in writing to the Chief of Police, with the reasons for such request set forth specifically therein, and must be approved in advance by the Chief of Police or the City Council.
(D) Any member of the City Police Department may issue a citation to any person who has violated this section of the law, and require such person to immediately vacate the park premises, or may arrest any person who has violated this section, or refuses to vacate the park premises as ordered, without warrant, and the Municipal Court shall have jurisdiction of all such violations.
(E) Violation of this section of the code shall be a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, punishable by a fine of not more than $97, and costs.
(F) The following shall be exempted from the scheduled hours of operation set forth herein:
(1) Baseball fields, softball fields, football fields, and soccer fields within the city parks, including the spectator and parking areas, while such fields are being used for organized sporting events, provided, any organization hosting any such organized sporting event shall file with the City Clerk a schedule of dates and proposed usage of such fields. Such schedule shall be approved by the Chief of Police or the City Council prior to any such events;
(2) Any municipal swimming pool lying within a city park shall be excluded while the pool is being used for organized and scheduled swimming activities or events; and
(3) The Alva Recreation Complex (ARC) is excluded from compliance herein.
(Prior Code, § 38-51) (Ord. 2012-31, passed 3-19-2012)