Township of West Deer, PA Chapter 157 Parks and Recreation Areas

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of West Deer 9-18-1975 by Ord. No. 106. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Park and Recreation Board — See Ch. 38.

Public entertainment — See Ch. 113.

Firearms — See Ch. 120.

§ 157-1 Regulated uses.

A. Permits for uses which are prohibited, unless duly authorized, may be obtained from the Township Manager/Secretary or his designated agent.

B. Firearms may not be used or carried within the limits of the parks, unless duly authorized.

C. Public meetings, assemblages and parades may not take place within the parks, unless duly authorized.

D. Peddlers, picnic parties and other persons may not sell or offer for sale any article or service-for-hire within the parks or set up therein any stand or booth for such purpose or distribute or display handbills, cards or advertisements of any kind, unless duly authorized.

E. The parks shall be open for use by the public between sunrise and sunset each day. Loitering or remaining in the parks between sunset and sunrise is prohibited, unless duly authorized.

F. Buildings and shelters specifically designated by posted sign as requiring permits for their use shall not be entered or otherwise used, unless duly authorized.

G. Domestic animals, including dogs and cats, are not permitted in the parks, unless duly authorized.

[Amended 7-15-1976 by Ord. No. 108]

H. Riding or driving horses or any motorized vehicle, including automobiles, motorcycles, minibikes and snowmobiles, is not permitted in the parks, except on roads or trails specifically designated by posted signs as for that purpose.

[Amended 7-15-1976 by Ord. No. 108]

I. Fires may not be built anywhere in the parks other than in stoves or fireplaces provided for that purpose. Portable stoves and charcoal grills are prohibited in the parks, unless duly authorized. No persons shall throw away or discard any lighted match, cigar or cigarette in the parks.

J. Motor vehicles may not be operated in the parks at speeds in excess of specifically posted speed limits is prohibited. The use of any motor vehicle which makes excessive noise or fumes is forbidden.

K. The parking of motor vehicles is permitted only in park areas specifically designated by posted signs.

L. No persons shall voluntarily bring, land or cause to descend or alight within or upon any park any airplane, helicopter or other apparatus for aviation, unless duly authorized. Voluntarily in this connection shall mean anything other than a forced landing.

M. The sale of tickets or commodities by picnic groups is prohibited, unless duly authorized.

N. Musical performances or concerts which employ the use of electronic amplification equipment are prohibited, unless duly authorized.

[Added 7-15-1976 by Ord. No. 108]

§ 157-2 Prohibited uses.

A. Grass areas may not be used for roadways, parking, games, contests, sports or for other purposes which destroy the turf or landscaping.

B. Trees, shrubs, hedges, berries, wild flowers and other flowers may not be picked, cut, broken or injured in any way.

C. Buildings, fences, fountains, statuary, benches and signs may not be injured or defaced in any way.

D. Paper, rubbish, trash and refuse may not be scattered but must be deposited in receptacles provided for that purpose.

E. Birds, squirrels, rabbits, deer, ducks or any other wild creatures may not be hunted, injured, killed or in any manner molested within the parks. Abandonment of domestic animals is forbidden. Any animal found at large may be seized and impounded by the township authorities.

F. Wading or swimming is forbidden in any fountain, lake or stream, nor may any use of these waters be made which contaminates them.

G. Lotteries and other gambling or games of chance, drunkenness, disorderly or indecent conduct and profane or offensive language are prohibited.

H. Cleaning, polishing, greasing, lubricating or making repairs to any motor vehicle is prohibited, except in cases of emergency.

I. The drinking of alcoholic beverages by persons under the minimum age established by the commonwealth is prohibited.

§ 157-3 Enforcement; violations and penalties.

A. The above rules and regulations shall be enforced by the Township Police.

B. Any person, partnership or corporation who or which has violated or permitted the violation of any provision of this chapter, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township, shall pay a judgment of not more than $600, plus all court costs. No judgment shall commence or be imposed, levied or payable until the date of the determination of a violation by a Magisterial District Judge. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable rules of civil procedure, at which time, in addition to any penalties, the violator shall be liable for any attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by the Township. Each day that a violation continues or each section of this chapter which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate violation.

[Amended 1-22-1997 by Ord. No. 265; 4-20-2016 by Ord. No. 408]

C. Where violators have removed, destroyed, damaged, defaced or defiled any park facility, the cost of maintenance, repair or replacement shall be charged to such violator in addition to any fine. Further use of park facilities may be prohibited to violators of this chapter in addition to the imposition of fines and costs.