[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Hampton 7-28-1992 by Ord. No. 453 (Ch. 4, Part 1, of the 1995 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Animals — See Ch. 105.
Firearms — See Ch. 142.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide rules and regulations for the use of and conduct in the parks and recreation areas of the Township of Hampton. The Council of the Township of Hampton may, from time to time, adopt additional regulations and rules governing the conduct of users of the parks and recreation areas.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ANIMALS
Includes cats, dogs, horses, any fowl or birds, or any wild or exotic animal.
APPROVING GOVERNING AGENCY
The Township Council of the Township of Hampton.
CROSSING
Any crossing, whether marked by a pavement or otherwise; the extension to any sidewalk space across any intersecting drive, street, highway.
CURB
Any boundary of any street, road, avenue, boulevard, or drive, whether or not marked by a curb.
PARK ATTENDANT
Any person employed by the Township as a park attendant to perform duties or tasks within the park and recreation areas.
PATH
Any footpath, walk, or any path maintained for pedestrians.
PEDESTRIAN
A person afoot.
PERMIT
Any written license issued by or under the authority of the Township Council permitting a special event or activity on park facilities.
PERSON
Any natural person, corporation, company, association, joint stock association, firm or co-partnership.
RECREATION AREAS
Any park, playground, play areas, recreational building or facility used for recreational purposes, including swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, horseshoe areas, softball and baseball fields, soccer fields and any and all other recreational forms.
SOLICITING
Persons selling goods or services by sample or taking orders for future delivery with or without accepting advance payment for the goods. Persons seeking any form of contributions.
STOPPING or STANDING
When prohibited, means any cessation of movement of a vehicle occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with pedestrians or other traffic including horses and bicycles.
TRAFFIC
Pedestrians, ridden or herded animals and vehicles, either singly or together.
VEHICLE
Any conveyance (except baby carriages) including motor vehicles, trailers of all types, campers, tricycles, bicycles, motorized or not, sleds, sleighs, pushcarts, or vehicles propelled by other than muscular power. Also any horse or horse-drawn conveyance.
VENDING
Selling or trading any item or service.
A. 
Structures, plants, trees, earth and rubbish. It shall be unlawful for any person in a public park or recreation area or facility to:
(1) 
Mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, paving or paving materials, water lines or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers, or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.
(2) 
Fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition.
(3) 
Dig or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs or plants or other wood or materials, or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.
(4) 
Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary, or run or string any public service utility into, upon, or across such lands, except on special written permit issued hereunder.
(5) 
Take into, carry through, or put into any park, any rubbish, refuse, garbage or other material. Such refuse and rubbish shall be deposited in receptacles so provided. Where receptacles are not provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence, and properly disposed of elsewhere.
(6) 
To violate or disobey any clearly posted regulation or prohibition including those which may be temporary, seasonal, or permanent in nature. These posted notices may regulate such things as vehicles, facilities usage, prohibited actions or closed areas, but not be limited to those subjects.
[Added 3-26-2008 by Ord. No. 704]
B. 
Animals. Bring any animal into or within the confines of any recreational area. Animals shall be prohibited in all recreational areas. Dogs are permitted in the park; however, they must be accompanied, at all times, by their owner and must be kept under the custody and control of the owner on a leash at all times and must be properly licensed, and must have all required licenses. All pet owners are required to remove and dispose of any and all pet droppings in the park. Horses are permitted in the park; however, they are restricted from the following areas: the pool; pavilions; ball fields; and tennis and basketball court area.
[Amended 9-27-2000 by Res. No. 671]
It shall be unlawful for any person in a public park or recreation area to:
A. 
Drive any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads or parking areas, or such areas as may on occasion be specifically designated as temporary areas.
B. 
Park a vehicle anywhere except on a designated parking area.
(1) 
Non-park use student permit parking areas. The Parks and Recreation Department may, at its discretion, designate specific parking areas within the community park for nonpark use by Hampton Township School District students and issue parking permits for the same.
(2) 
The Parks and Recreation Department shall issue such permits according to a written policy that will establish the application process, the number of permits to be issued for a specific area or areas, the length of time the permit is valid, the form of the permit, how it shall be displayed, the fee to be charged for such permits and any additional requirements necessary to administer the issuance of parking permits.
(3) 
The Hampton Township Police Department shall have the authority to issue citations for the following violation relating to nonpark use student parking permits:
(a) 
No student vehicle shall park in a designated permit parking area without a proper valid parking permit visible in the prescribed manner.
(b) 
No vehicle operated by a Hampton Township School District student shall park in any parking area other than those permit areas designated by the Parks and Recreation Department.
(c) 
Parking permits shall be only issued to a specific student and displayed on a vehicle owned by the student or the student's family. Transfer of parking permits to another person is prohibited.
(d) 
Penalty. Any person who shall violate Subsection B(3)(a), (b) and (c) shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of $25 plus the appropriate court costs. Additionally, any person convicted of violation of Subsection B(3)(c) shall have their permit revoked.
C. 
Leave a vehicle standing or parked in established parking areas or elsewhere in the park and recreation areas during hours when the park and recreation area is closed. During a snow storm and for three days thereafter, established parking areas in parks and recreation areas may be utilized but not by trailers of any kind.
D. 
Ride a bicycle without reasonable regard to the safety of others.
E. 
Use the parks, park drives, parking places, or parkways for the purpose of demonstrating any vehicles, or for the purpose of instructing another to drive or operate any vehicle, nor shall any person use any park area, including parking places, for the repairing or cleaning of any vehicle, except in an emergency.
F. 
Vehicles in excess of 3/4 ton weight, trail mobiles, dirt bikes and similar vehicles shall be prohibited in any public park or recreational area unless specifically authorized by the Council of the Township.
It shall be unlawful for any person to bring into or have in his possession in any park or recreation area:
A. 
Any pistol or revolver or objects upon which loaded or blank cartridges may be used. Official starters, at authorized track and field events, are excepted from this restriction.
B. 
Any rifle, shotgun, BB gun, air gun, spring gun, slingshot, bow or other weapon in which the propelling force is gunpowder, a spring, or air. However, archery bow hunters tested, certified and registered to participate in a controlled limited number archery hunt for whitetail deer, and using weapons approved by the Hampton Township Chief of Police and Pennsylvania Game Commission Regulations, are permitted to carry approved archery bows in the Township park during a hunt authorized by the Hampton Township Chief of Police and the Hampton Township Parks and Recreation Department.
[Amended 9-13-2006 by Ord. No. 678]
(1) 
Each archery bow hunter must be a licensed Pennsylvania Adult Resident Archery Hunter registered with the Township of Hampton and issued a special permit for the specific limited number hunt in progress.
(2) 
Each archery bow hunter must pass a test promulgated by the Hampton Township Chief of Police prior to the issuance of a permit by the Township to the hunter.
(3) 
An archery bow hunter must carry his or her permit with him (her) at all times while participating in a controlled archery-only deer hunt in the Hampton Community Park.
(4) 
A permit issued by the Chief of Police of Hampton Township for a controlled archery-only deer hunt shall only permit the hunter to participate in the specific hunt listed on said permit. If a hunter wishes to participate in a subsequent scheduled hunt authorized by the Hampton Township Parks and Recreation Department and by the Hampton Township Chief of Police, said hunter must obtain a new permit for the subsequent hunt.
(5) 
Only 11 archery bow hunters are permitted to participate in one of the Hampton Township Community Park authorized hunts on a single day.
(6) 
Any exception granted under this section must not violate any Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Game Law regulation or any Township of Hampton regulation intended to regulate special controlled deer hunts on municipally owned property.
It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his possession or set off any fireworks. Permits may be given for conducting properly supervised fireworks in designated park areas. Firecrackers, rockets, radio controlled planes, hang gliders, ultralights, sky divers, and the like are prohibited from using the park unless permission is first obtained and granted in writing by the Recreation Director.
A. 
No person, other than those authorized by the Township Secretary, shall post, paint, affix, distribute, deliver, place cast or leave about, any bill, billboard, placard, ticket, handbill, circular, or advertisement.
B. 
No person shall do any of the following without a permit:
(1) 
Display any advertising signs or other advertising matter.
(2) 
Conduct exhibitions.
(3) 
Hold a parade.
No person shall expose or offer for sale any articles or foods in any park or recreational area or facility without first having obtained a permit for the same and provided appropriate insurance as required under the terms of the permit. A specimen permit is attached hereto and shall be the officially approved permit form of the Borough.
No person shall kindle, build, maintain or use a fire except in places provided for such purposes. Any fire shall be continuously under the care and direction of a competent person from the time it is kindled until it is extinguished. No person shall throw away or discard any lighted match, cigar, cigarette, tobacco, paper or other material within or against any building, boat or vehicle, or under any tree or in underbrush.
While in a public park or recreation area, all persons shall conduct themselves in a proper and orderly manner, and in particular, no person shall bring alcoholic beverages, or controlled dangerous substances, drink or use the same at any time nor shall any person be under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled dangerous substance in a park or recreation area or facility.
It shall be unlawful for any person in a park or recreation area to camp or stay overnight anywhere except in areas designated for camping or staying overnight in vehicles or trailers. Further, it shall be unlawful to fail to produce and exhibit any permit he claims to have, upon request of any authorized person who shall desire to inspect the same for the purposes of enforcing compliance with any ordinance or rule, or to erect or occupy any tent, stand or other structure in any park or playground, or sell or give away from any such tent, stand or other structure, any food, drink or other thing, without a permit.
[Amended 9-13-2006 by Ord. No. 678]
A. 
No person shall be in any park during the hours the park is closed. The hours of operation of parks shall be posted at the entrance to the same and in various conspicuous places throughout the park.
B. 
Persons participating in and possessing special permits relevant to controlled whitetail deer hunting shall be exempted from posted community park usage times.
C. 
Permitted archery hunters may hunt only during those dates, times and days as specified in the Digest of Game Laws and Hunting Regulations as provided to every licensed hunter by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
A. 
Permits for special events or the sale of merchandise or food concessions in parks and recreation areas shall be obtained by application to the Township Manager in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) 
A person seeking issuance of a permit hereunder shall file an application stating:
(a) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(b) 
The name and address of the person, persons, corporation or association sponsoring the activity, if any.
(c) 
The day and hours for which the permit is desired.
(d) 
The park or portion thereof for which the permit is desired.
(e) 
Any other information reasonably necessary to a determination as to whether a permit should be issued hereunder.
(f) 
Variances required from park rules and regulations.
(2) 
Standards for issuance of a use permit shall include the following findings:
(a) 
That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public's enjoyment of the park.
(b) 
That the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
(c) 
That the proposed activity or uses that are reasonably anticipated shall not be such that in the discretion of the Council be likely to lead to violence, riot or disorderly conduct.
(d) 
That the proposed activity will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the Township.
(e) 
That the facilities desired have not been reserved for other use on the date and hour requested in the application.
(f) 
That any persons operating concessions or requesting the use of the parks or recreation areas for leagues or programs not officially sponsored by the Township or a part of the Township recreational program shall sign "hold harmless agreements" which shall read as follows:
TOWNSHIP OF HAMPTON
Facilities Hold Harmless Agreement
Date:
It is hereby understood and agreed that the Township of Hampton will make available for recreational use park and/or gymnasium facilities and that I/we, the undersigned, acting on behalf of all participants, hold harmless the Township of Hampton, its officials, agents, employees and volunteers, from and against all claims for injuries to our program participants or invited spectators resulting from the authorized use of these facilities.
It is understood that I/we accept this condition in return for use of the park recreational facilities or buildings on the days and times made available according to the Township Manager.
In addition, persons requesting the use of parks for concession purposes shall provide to the Township certificates of product liability insurance insuring the Township of Hampton and the program operators against damages arising from the sale of food products and providing defense coverage and costs as well.
Township Manager
(Permittee)
(Co-Signor)
NOTE: cc: to
Permit Holder
Permit File
B. 
Appeal. Within 10 days after the receipt of an application, the Township shall advise an applicant in writing of its decision to grant or deny a permit; in the event of a denial, the notification shall include the reason for the denial. Any aggrieved person shall have the right to appeal to the Township Council by serving written notice thereof on the Township Manager within five working days of said refusal.
C. 
A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as though the same were inserted in said permits.
D. 
Revocation. The Township Council shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of violation of any rule or ordinance or upon good cause shown.
A. 
The Township of Hampton Police Department and such other persons as may from time to time be empowered with enforcement authority will diligently enforce the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
The Township of Hampton Police Department and such other persons as may from time to time be empowered with enforcement authority will have the authority to order any person or persons acting in violation of this chapter to leave the park or recreation area.
[Amended 4-26-1995 by Ord. No. 505]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues shall constitute a separate offense.