[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the Municipality of Murrysville 5-4-1992 by Ord. No. 320-92.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance repealed former Ch. 166, Parks and Playgrounds, adopted 12-18-1979 by Ord. No. 43-79, as amended.
A. 
The regulations set forth in this chapter shall apply to each park, playground, conservation area, green space, pedestrian right-of-way, or other public recreation area owned by the Municipality of Murrysville. A copy of the regulations and the penalties prescribed in this chapter shall, to the extent practicable, be posted at a conspicuous place at each such park.
B. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as prohibiting the development and management of park premises by the Municipality in accordance with its Recreation and Open Space Plan.
There is absolutely prohibited, within the premises of the parks set forth in § 166-1, hereof the following conduct:
A. 
Picking, disturbing, mutilating, transplanting or removing any plant unless directed by the Municipality.
[Amended 8-2-2017 by Ord. No. 976-17]
B. 
Disturbing, harming or destroying any animal or the habitation thereof, with the sole exception of hunting by special permit as described in § 166-4A hereof.
C. 
Littering.
D. 
Use of motorized trail bikes, snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.
E. 
Use of skateboards except in designated areas.
[Amended 8-2-2017 by Ord. No. 976-17]
F. 
Destruction, alteration or vandalism of parkgrounds or improvements thereon.
G. 
Swimming.
H. 
Ice skating or ice fishing.
I. 
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages with the exception of Sardis Park, Townsend Park, and Murrysville Community Park as described in § 166-4F thereof.
[Amended 8-2-2017 by Ord. No. 976-17]
The following conduct is permitted within the parks only when the appropriate conditions described herein are satisfied:
A. 
Delivering, conveying or causing any domesticated animal to be in a park is permitted provided the animal is on a leash or lead of no more than eight feet. Dogs are permitted to be off leash or otherwise controlled in accordance with state law in the confines of the Brooks Family Dog Park and Pleasant Valley Park, and Townsend Park Monday through Friday, excepting days designated for the Murrysville Summer Recreation Program, dawn until 3:00 p.m. Domesticated animals are not to disturb or damage park property, other occupants of the park, or wildlife in the parks. Such control includes the repair of any damage caused by such animal, and the removal and proper disposal of all waste generated by such animal. Domesticated animals are not permitted in playground areas unless they are a service dog. Domesticated animals are not permitted on any playing field area. All domesticated animals must be licensed and vaccinated according to prevailing laws. The license and evidence of vaccination must be visually displayed in accordance with prevailing laws.
[Amended 8-2-2017 by Ord. No. 976-17]
B. 
Fire is permitted only in the permanent cooking grills provided by the Municipality, or in accordance with a permit issued for camping under § 166-4B hereof.
C. 
Motorized conveyances, or vehicles of any type, excepting wheelchairs, are permitted only on established access roads and only for the purpose of ingress and egress to the park, and only when operated in accordance with state law. Authorized park construction and maintenance vehicles are permitted.
[Amended 8-2-2017 by Ord. No. 976-17]
D. 
Fishing is permitted only in accordance with state regulations.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection E, permitting smoking, was repealed 8-2-2017 by Ord. No. 976-17.
[Amended 7-5-2001 by Ord. No. 576-01; 9-3-2003 by Ord. No. 642-03; 12-3-2014 by Ord. No. 920-14; 11-4-2015 by Ord. No. 933-15[1]; 12-16-2015 by Ord. No. 938-15; 6-22-2016 by Ord. No. 950-16; 12-21-2016 by Ord. No. 959-16; 8-2-2017 by Ord. No. 976-17]
The following activities are permitted only upon the issuance of a permit by the Municipality stating the date, location, time period, and approximate number of people participating in the activity. A fee for such permit may be required as set forth in the fees ordinance.[2] The Municipality may, in its sole discretion, require as a condition for the grant of a permit, a security deposit and/or other measures, such as evidence of insurance, to cover the cost of any damage, or to provide for the health and safety of the public and/or for cleanup operations. Permits shall be issued by a designee of the Mayor only to applicants who provide evidence of responsibility for the safe and reasonable conduct of such activity.
A. 
Hunting with bow and arrow during specially prescribed periods in Murrysville Community Park, Duff Park, Townsend Park, Pleasant Valley Park, Kellman Reserve, Skena Reserve, Pin Oak and Verner open spaces on posted dates only, and only in accordance with state hunting regulations.
B. 
Camping, including the making of camp fires. A security deposit of $50 shall be posted for such a permit unless waived by Council.
C. 
Commercial activity. A security deposit of $50 shall be posted for such a permit.
D. 
Occupation of a park before sunrise or after sunset. A security deposit of $50 shall be posted for such a permit.
E. 
Exclusive use of a specific shelter or area within a park. A security deposit of $50 shall be posted for such a permit.
F. 
Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited except at Sardis Park, Townsend Park, and at Murrysville Community Park when authorized by Council. A security deposit of $200 shall be posted for such a permit.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided that Skena Reserve be added to the designated parks for hunting.
[2]
Editor’s Note: See Ch. 112, Fees.
[Amended 8-2-2017 by Ord. No. 976-17]
A. 
Any person who shall violate or cause there to be violated the regulations and/or prohibited conduct set forth in this chapter shall be punishable in a summary proceeding before any district magistrate of the County of Westmoreland by payment of the costs of prosecution and a fine of not less than $100 for the first violation, $300 for the second violation and $500 for each succeeding violation. Proceedings for the violation of this chapter shall be commenced in the name of the Municipality by either summons or warrant in the discretion of the officer before whom the action is commenced and shall be directed to and served by a constable of the Municipality.
B. 
The Chief Administrator, based on evidence received and with a recommendation from the Murrysville Parks and Recreation Commission, shall have the authority to ban a domesticated animal from any municipal property defined in § 166-1. The aggrieved party shall have a right to appeal the Chief Administrator's decision to Murrysville Council.
Any person or group of persons who submits information leading to the arrest and conviction of an individual for destruction, alteration or vandalism of parkgrounds or improvements thereon shall be eligible for receipt of a reward of $500. In the event that multiple individuals submit information relating to one incident of vandalism (involving one or more than one persons) or to one person, one reward of $500 shall be divided equally between the reporting individuals.