(A) The city or Department may engage in or permit select activities for authorized management, special events and programs, maintenance, medical, and law enforcement purposes irrespective of this section.
(B) This section does not affect any existing informal or formal agreement between the city and S.P.O.R.T.S. regarding the use of athletic fields.
(C) All applicable federal, state, and local laws apply and will be enforced.
(D) Any person who commits any of the following acts in a park or on a trail shall be fined in accordance with § 96.99.
(1) Park and trail rules. To disobey or disregard the rules, notices, prohibitions, instructions, or directions posted on any park or trail sign by the Department.
(2) Vehicle restrictions. To operate or park a vehicle within any park or on a trail except on clearly marked and designated roadways, drives, and parking spaces.
(3) Hunting. To bring, carry, or possess a bow and arrow or to bring, carry, possess, set or use any snare, trap, seine, net, similar device, or other weapon (excluding firearms) capable of capturing or harming any wild animal or bird in a park or on a trail.
(4) Fires. To build a campfire in a park or on a trail without a permit from the Department.
(5) Animals and plants.
(a) To ride a horse or pony in a park or on a trail not specifically designated for that purpose without a permit from the Department.
(b) To release any domesticated or wild animal, plant, flower, tree, seed, or other vegetation in a park or on a trail.
(c) To catch or otherwise harass any wild animal or bird in a park or on a trail. Fishing is permitted in areas designated for that purpose.
(6) Games. To engage in any athletic contest, event, or activity not specifically designated for that purpose whereby an area is usurped by participants to the exclusion of others or at the risk of injury to others or damage to property.
(7) Vandalism.
(a) To damage any structure, vegetation, nest, or any other property situated or kept in a park or on a trail.
(b) To expand private land boundaries into a park or trail, use a park or trail for the storage of personal property, build ground or tree forts, install a tree stand or hunting blind, or to otherwise encroach in any way upon a park or trail in a manner inconsistent with its intended use and purpose.
(c) To remove or take for one’s own personal or private use, any sign, trash receptacle, table, bench, log, flower, plant, tree, shrub, animal, or any other property located in a park or on a trail.
(d) To alter, construct, erect, or remove any structure within a park or on a trail without a permit from the Department or city.
(8) Camping. To pitch or maintain a tent or other improvised shelter in a park or on a trail for the purpose of overnight camping without a permit from the Department.
(9) Alcohol. To bring, possess, consume, dispense, convey, or give away any alcohol beverage in a park or on a trail without first obtaining a permit from the city.
(10) Amusements. To erect or fabricate any tent, booth, stand, pavilion, or to operate any ride or similar device in a park or on a trail without a permit from the Department.
(11) Swimming. To swim or bathe in any area, including stream, creek, river, pond, or lake within a park or along a trail not designated and marked specifically for that purpose.
(12) Peddling and soliciting. To hawk, peddle, solicit, distribute handbills, advertise, post signs, or offer for sale any item in a park or on a trail without a permit from the Department or city.
(13) Assembly.
(a) To assemble for the purpose of or which, in fact, results in blocking or obstructing the lawful use by any other person of any portion of a park or trail or any structure in a park or on a trail or any position of access or exit to or from any park, trail, or structure therein.
(b) To fail or refuse to withdraw from an unlawful assembly promptly upon issuance of an order to disperse, if such order is given in such manner that such person can reasonably be expected to hear and read such order.
(14) Interference. To interfere with any contractor, city employee, or permit holder while in the performance of his/her duty or while performing any legal activity within a park or on a trail.
(15) Reservations. To use or occupy any park shelter, athletic facility, or other facility while posted as “reserved” or after having been presented with an official permit to use such facility for some specific organized function by a group of persons, organization, or individual.
(16) Fees. To charge admission, collect fees or payment for any activity, event, service, or use of any land or facility in a park or on a trail without a permit from the Department.
(17) Park hours. All parks shall be closed to the general public between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. except as otherwise posted and permitted by the Department. It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to be present in a park during the above stated hours or at other times as posted. Exceptions: Persons who are participating in or associated with a Department of Parks and Recreation/city sponsored or approved program or event and S.P.O.R.T.S. sanctioned activities.
(Ord. 051506A, passed 6-19-06; Am. Res. R091806A, passed 9-18-06; Am. Ord. 121613C, passed 12-16-13; Am. Ord. 091514A, passed 11-17-14; Am. Ord. 111918D, passed 11-19-18) Penalty, see § 96.99