Subd. 1. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide regulations relating to the use of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for educational and recreational purposes in such manner as will promote such purposes, the center and future generations.
Subd. 2. Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
A. BOARD. The Park and Recreation Board.
B. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. A drug, substance, listed in Schedules I through V of M.S. § 152.02, as it may be amended from time to time.
C. LIQUOR. Beer, wine or liquor as defined in City Code, Chapter 5.
D. MARIJUANA. The substance marijuana as it is defined in M.S. § 152.01, as it may be amended from time to time.
E. MOTOR VEHICLE. Any self-propelled vehicle and any vehicle propelled or drawn by a self-propelled vehicle including, but not limited to automobiles, trucks, dunebuggies, minibikes, motorcycles, trail bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles.
F. WATERCRAFT. Any contrivance used or designed for navigation or travel on or under water, except a seaplane.
G. WILDLIFE. All living creatures, not human, wild by nature, endowed with sensation and power of voluntary motion, and includes quadrupeds, mammals, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans and mullusks.
Subd. 3. Jay C. Hormel Nature Center visitation. The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is open to the public under the restrictions or limitations as the Board may impose for the area for the purpose of protecting and preserving the area. Those restrictions or limitations may include, but are not limited to the following:
A. Restrictions on travel within the area;
B. Restrictions on hours of visitation;
C. Limitations on numbers of persons within the area at any given time; and
D. A Board order, posted in conspicuous places at the nature center area.
Subd. 4. Environmental protection.
A. It is unlawful for any person to destroy, injure, damage, molest or remove any natural resources within the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, including, but not limited to trees, vegetation, ruins, relics, birds, fish, animals, other wildlife or geological formations, excepting those items to be used for scientific or educational purposes as permitted by written consent of the Director.
B. It is unlawful for any person, excepting Board agents acting in their official capacity, to destroy, damage, deface or remove any public property or private property belonging to another, including, but not limited to signs and research testing or monitoring equipment, within the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.
Subd. 5. Other prohibited uses and acts.
A. Camping and picnicking are not permitted in the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.
B. Fires and refuse:
1. Fires are not permitted in the nature center, except as prescribed by the Director; and
2. It is unlawful for any person to burn or otherwise dispose of garbage, refuse, sewage or trash of any kind, except in designated receptacles or facilities within the nature center.
C. Boating, fishing, other water uses:
1. It is unlawful to operate or use watercraft in the nature center, except as may be authorized by permit from the Director for research or educational purposes.
2. It is unlawful for any person to fish or swim in any waters within the nature center area.
D. It is unlawful to operate any bicycle or motor vehicle within the nature center, except for law enforcement, management or research purposes.
E. It is unlawful to bring or allow horses or other pet animals into the nature center. It is unlawful to release wild or domestic animals within the nature center without permit from the Director. When necessary in connection with bona fide research or educational projects, the use of any species of animals may be authorized by permit from the Director.
F. It is unlawful for any person to engage in any violent, immoral, abusive, loud, obscene or other conduct creating or tending to create a breach of the peace or to disturb the educational, aesthetic or research values and resources of the nature center area lands and waters.
G. It is unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession or to consume liquors within the nature center area.
H. It is unlawful for any person to use, be in possession of, or be under the influence of marijuana or any controlled substance within the nature center area.
I. Hunting, firearms, public safety:
1. It is unlawful for any person to display or have in his or her possession, within the nature center area, a firearm or air gun.
2. It is unlawful for any person to have in his possession within the nature center area explosives of any kind.
3. It is unlawful for any person to use or display within the nature center area any other type of weapon, including, but not limited to slingshots, knives, bow and arrows and traps.
4. The Director may except a person from any of the provisions of this subparagraph when, in the opinion of the Director, such exception will better serve the public interest.
J. Protection from peddling and soliciting:
1. It is unlawful for any person to engage in or solicit business of any nature whatsoever from persons in the nature center without expressed consent from the Board.
2. It is unlawful for any person to advertise, in any manner within the nature center area, any private activity or function, except as may be authorized by the Director.
Subd. 6. Exception. Nothing in this section or § 10.04 shall apply to organized hunts held within the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for the purpose of controlling animal populations when the hunts have been authorized by the City Council.
(`80 Code, § 10.19) (Am. Ord. 497, Second Series, passed 7-7-03; Am. Ord. 648, passed 5-1-17) Penalty, see § 1.99