[Adopted 4-10-2002]
The Town of Orange recognizes that the acquisition and preservation
of undeveloped lands for open space and passive recreation is of great benefit
to the health, welfare and quality of life of the community. In order to protect
and preserve the Town's passive open space for the continuous use and
enjoyment by the residents of the Town of Orange and the general public, the
Town must establish rules and regulation by ordinance governing the use of
its passive open space.
As used herein, the following terms shall have the definitions set forth:
Land designated by vote of the Board of Selectmen to be retained
predominately in its natural, scenic, forested and/or open space condition
and to provide opportunities for use for passive recreation. Any property
subject to a conservation or public recreation easement, in favor of the State
of Connecticut, pursuant to the Protected Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition
Grant Program of the State of Connecticut, shall be considered passive open
space.
Hiking, walking, fishing and similar activities not otherwise prohibited
by this article other than the uses designated for recreational open space.
Land of the Town of Orange committed and developed for athletics,
including without limitation, soccer fields and baseball and softball diamonds.
This article shall apply to all passive open space as designated by
the Board of Selectmen.
The following properties are hereby designated by the Board of Selectmen
as passive open space: Racebrook Tract, Housatonic Overlook, Tucker's
Ridge, Wright's Farm, that portion of Fred Wolfe Park not dedicated to
recreational open space, the Wepawaug Bend, Short Road, Howard Brooks Conservation
Area, and the Paul Ode Trail.
The Board of Selectmen may by resolution designate any Town owned land
as passive open space or remove the designation of passive open space from
any Town owned land so designated, or authorize any activities otherwise prohibited
or disallow any activities allowed pursuant to this article on any one or
more parcels of land designated as passive open space.
It shall be unlawful and in violation of this article for any person
to engage in the following prohibited activities:
A.
Except for police personnel on patrol or officials, employees
or designees of the Town of Orange Park and Recreation Department or Orange
Conservation Commission on official business, or ice skating at Wright's
Pond pursuant to rules adopted by the Park and Recreation Commission, remaining
on any passive open space other than 1/2 hour before sunrise through 1/2 hour
after sunset.
B.
Except in appropriately marked receptacle provided by the Town, deposit or cause to be deposited or retained or cause to be retained, any litter, as such term is defined in § 276-2 of the Orange Code.
D.
Bicycling, except on the Racebrook Tract pursuant to
rules adopted by the Park and Recreation Commission.
E.
The possession or discharge of any firearm, bow and arrow,
or other dangerous weapon.
F.
The hunting, trapping or killing of any animal.
G.
Dumping of any kind of any materials, including without
limitation, old vehicles, appliances, or similar waste.
H.
The possession or use of any illegal or illicit drugs
or controlled substances.
I.
The cutting, injuring, defacing, removing or disturbing
of any building, fence, bench or other structure or property.
J.
The use of cars, dune buggies, motorcycles, snowmobiles,
trucks or other motorized vehicles.
K.
The lighting of fireworks or sparklers.
L.
Paintball or the use of paintball guns or other paintball
paraphernalia.
M.
Riding, grazing or walking of horses, cattle or other
livestock, except horseback riding on the Racebrook Tract subject to such
rules as are adopted by the Park and Recreation Commission.
N.
Having pets or other animals, except authorized horseback
riding, at the Racebrook Tract.
The following activities shall be prohibited without the prior written
approval of the Orange Park and Recreation Commission or its designated official:
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be
fined $100 for each such violation.
This article shall be effective on the 21st day after its publication in accordance with § 3.4 of the Town Charter.
