[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Trafford 10-3-2006 by Ord. No. 711.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Recreation Board — See Ch. 43.
Curfew — See Ch. 90.
Firearms — See Ch. 105.
Skateboards and in-line skates — See Ch. 167.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 141, Parks and Playgrounds, adopted as follows: Art. I, Hours, 10-3-1989 as Ch. 141, Art. I, of the 1989 Code, as amended; and Art. II, Use of Public Park, Recreations and Conservation Lands, 11-12-2003 by Ord. No. 692, as amended.
It is the intent, purpose, and scope of this chapter to insure the preservation of public park lands, recreation facilities, and conservation areas within the Borough of Trafford, to regulate activities in these areas consistent with the enjoyment of unspoiled natural settings and park facilities, and to prevent any nuisances to the residents of Trafford Borough in the use of such public park land, recreation facilities, or conservation areas or in the enjoyment of private property adjacent to such areas.
A. 
Hours of use.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, or persons, other than Borough personnel conducting Borough business therein, to occupy or be present in said park during any hour in which the park is not open to the public. Hours in which the parks are open to the public are stated below.
Playground/Park
Hours Available for Use
Woodlawn Park
Dawn to dusk
E. Edgewood Playground
Dawn to dusk
Westmoreland Park
Dawn to dusk
Sixth Street Playground
Dawn to dusk
Fairmont Playground
Dawn to dusk
South Trafford Playground
Dawn to dusk
B-Y Park
Dawn to dusk
Memorial Park
Dawn to dusk
(2) 
The B-Y Park will be available for ice-skating until 11:00 p.m. when weather permits. All ice-skating is at your own risk.
(3) 
Permits must be obtained for use after official sunset for specific activities. The Borough Council must approve said activities before a permit may be issued. Any section, or part of any park, recreation, or conservancy area may be declared closed to the public at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular or stated intervals by the Borough Council. During such periods of time, it will be unlawful to enter upon or occupy such areas or portions thereof contrary to posted regulations. Any person found in said areas during other than those hours set herein shall, upon request of a Borough police officer or any other lawful authority, immediately remove himself from said areas. Refusal to do so will cause the person to be considered a defiant trespasser, pursuant to the Crimes Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, § 3503(b), or any other amendments thereto and shall be subject to the fines and penalties as set forth in the Crimes Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with respect to defiant trespassers. For special activities, the Borough Council or Recreation Board may allow exceptions to the hours of operation.
B. 
Group activity. Whenever any group, association, or organization desires to use recreation or park facilities for a particular purpose, such as picnics, parties or entertainment performances, a representative of said group, association, or organization, shall first obtain a permit for such use from the Borough. The Borough may adopt an application form to be used that may require an indemnity bond or other security to protect the Borough from liability of any character and to protect Borough property from damage. The Borough shall grant the permit if it appears that the group, association or organization will not interfere with the general use of the park by the individual members of the public, and if the group, association or organization meets all other conditions contained in the application.
C. 
Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages. It shall be unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession, custody or control any alcoholic beverage, including beer, or any kind whatsoever while on Borough park, recreation or conservation areas except by permit.
D. 
Use of facilities. Facilities and areas in the Borough park, recreation or conservation sites shall be used only for the purpose designated or implicit in their character. Unless as otherwise expressly permitted, special activities including flying model airplanes, motorcycles, mini-bikes, go-carts, snowmobiles and similar vehicles are not permitted without special authorization by Borough Council.
[Amended 6-5-2018 by Ord. No. 2-2018]
E. 
Supervision of minor children. Parents shall be responsible for appropriate supervision of their minor children and financially responsible for the behavior and actions of their minor children. Children under the age of five must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult at all times while on Borough property. During Borough and Recreation Board programs for children, only those adults supervising children are permitted to participate.
F. 
Motor vehicles. Licensed motor vehicles shall be permitted only on designated roadways and parking areas. The speed limit for such vehicles on such roadways and parking areas shall be 15 miles per hour. All-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, minibikes, go-carts and snowmobiles shall not be permitted on roadways on Borough property designed for licensed vehicular traffic. All vehicles must be parked in areas or places so provided and designed. Parking in places contrary to posted regulation or times is prohibited, and such vehicles may be removed by the Borough, at the owner's expense. All parking is prohibited after regular closing time, except for a sponsored event or activity for which a permit was issued. It shall be unlawful to clean, wash, or do any work whatsoever on private vehicles within recreation, park or conservancy areas except for emergency repairs.
G. 
Special permission/noise. Special permission from the Borough Council is required whenever amplified sound is used, for organized use of pavilions playing fields, courts, open areas or courses, for use after official closing, or for a single assemblage of 20 persons or more. Amplified sound shall not be of a magnitude that will disturb other visitors using the park or neighboring residents.
H. 
Fishing. Persons 16 or older must have obtained and have in his or her possession a valid Pennsylvania fishing license. All rules of the Pennsylvania Fish Commission remain in force.
I. 
Fees. The Borough Council shall have the authority to issue a fee schedule, which shall be amended from time to time by resolution, for park rentals and special function permits. The Borough Council shall set the amount of deposits and prescribe conditions under which deposits are collected and forfeited.
A. 
Fires and fireworks. Fires may not be built or allowed anywhere in recreation, park or conservation areas except in stoves, fireplaces or designed areas provided for that purpose. Charcoal grills are permitted only in pavilion areas. Charcoal, coals and ashes must be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Permits must be secured for any fireworks at any time and for fires to be maintained after closing time.
B. 
Animals. It shall be unlawful for owners of domesticated animals, birds, or reptiles to permit same within recreation areas, playgrounds, parks or conservation areas. Any injuries, expenses and/or damages caused by violation of this section shall be the sole responsibility of the animal's owner.
C. 
Gambling. Gambling is prohibited in recreation, park, or conservation areas.
D. 
Removal of Borough property. No picnic tables or other Borough property may be removed from the pavilion areas or playground areas. Safety equipment must remain in its designated location.
E. 
Merchandising, advertising and signs. No person shall, in recreation, park or conservation areas:
(1) 
Offer for sale any article or thing, nor station or place any stand, cart or vehicle for the transportation, sale, or display of any such article or thing, except under the authority of the Borough Council by application and permit.
(2) 
Announce, advertise, or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire.
(3) 
Post, paste, fasten, paint, write, thaw, carve, tack, affix any placard, bill, notice, sign, advertisement, inscription, or graffiti whatsoever upon any structure, tree, stone,, fence, thing, or enclosure within any recreation, park or conservation area or on any public land or highways or roads adjacent to any recreation, park, or conservation area, except those that the Recreation Board or Borough Council may place within such areas or may permit by permit.
(4) 
Notwithstanding the restriction set forth in Subsection E(1), (2) and (3) of this subsection, the Borough Council and Recreation Board may jointly agree to allow placement in an area and of a type of their choosing, an appropriate plaque honoring a person or entity who provides or sponsors a service or physical improvement benefiting the park, recreation or conservation area and the citizens of Trafford Borough.
F. 
Aircraft. Except for emergency or other special circumstances authorized by the Borough Council, it shall be unlawful to land a private or commercial airplane, helicopter or other aircraft on park, recreation or conservation lands.
G. 
Personal conduct. It shall be unlawful to any person in any recreation, park and conservation area to:
(1) 
Disturb the peace or use profane or obscene language or gestures.
(2) 
Endanger the safety of any person by any conduct or act.
(3) 
Commit any assault, battery, or engage in fighting, threatening, or violent behavior.
(4) 
Carry, possess, or use drugs or controlled substances, excluding legally prescribed medications.
(5) 
Violate any rule for the use of the park, recreation, or conservation areas made or approved by the Borough Council.
(6) 
Swim or boat in any pond or water areas in the park, recreation, or conservation areas.
(7) 
Prevent any person from using the park, or facilities interfering with such use in compliance with this chapter and rules applicable to such use.
(8) 
Act in any unlawful, disorderly, immoral or disruptive manner against the best interest of the areas or other people.
(9) 
Use amplified sound, including radios or musical instruments, without a permit.
(10) 
Bring any glass container to be used for the consumption of any beverage or other product.
(11) 
Use skateboards, in-line skates, or bicycles, except in designated areas.
(12) 
Use or possess any tobacco product whether smoking or nonsmoking, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff and/or chewing tobacco.
No person, except those authorized by the Borough and conducting Borough business, shall, in recreation, park, or conservation areas:
A. 
Injure, deface, disturb, befoul, nor in any manner destroy or cause to be destroyed any part of any recreation, park, or conservancy site owned by the Borough, nor any sign, structure, building, equipment, utility, or any other property found therein.
B. 
Remove, transplant, injure, or destroy any tree, flower, shrub, plant, or growing thing, or any rock or other mineral.
C. 
Kill, trap, hunt, pursue, or in any manner, deliberately disturb or cause to be disturbed any wild bird, animal, or reptile within the recreation, park, or conservancy sites owned by the Borough except as permitted in § 141-2H. Feeding of animals and waterfowl found therein is expressly prohibited.
D. 
Throw, discharge, or otherwise cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, or other body of water in or adjacent to any park or any tributary, stream, storm sewer, or drain flowing into such waters, any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which may result in the pollution of said waters, nor dump, deposit, or leave any bottles, broken glass, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage, refuse, construction rubble, or trash anywhere within the park and conservancy sites owned by the Borough; but rather to make use of proper receptacles where these are provided, and where receptacles are not so provided, all materials shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence, and properly disposed of elsewhere.
E. 
If any animal or waterfowl problem exists that would pose a potential health hazard or cause human contact with waterfowl or animal feces, the Borough Council may schedule controlled animal and waterfowl hunting in the B-Y Park as depicted by Pennsylvania Game Commission Laws.
A. 
The Borough Council and its agents shall administer the provisions of this chapter including the establishment and collection of fees, which shall be amended from time to time as the Borough Council designates by resolution, rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this chapter and all other decisions relative thereto. When acts or conduct of individuals or groups it determined to be in violation of this chapter, or not to be in the best interest of the park, recreation or conservation area, or when such acts or conduct endangers other people, private or public property, or when such acts are deemed to be disruptive to the surrounding neighborhood, the Borough Council and its agents shall have the authority to cause such acts to be terminated, or to expel the perpetrators of such acts from the area, or to call the Borough Police to arrest and detain such individual or individuals, or to file a complaint for violation of this chapter with the District Magistrate.
B. 
The Recreation Board and its agents are also empowered to establish and enforce rules, regulations, and policies governing the use of recreation, park and conservation areas during any event which would come under its jurisdiction, subject to approval by Borough Council. Powers also include the right to govern construction of structures, or remodeling and repair of existing structures or recreation areas after prior approval of construction, remodeling, or rehabilitation by the Borough Council.
[Amended 3-6-2007 by Ord. No. 714]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter, and convicted of the same, shall be liable for a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, plus actual costs of prosecution incurred. Where such violation involves removal, destruction, damage, defacing or befouling recreation, park or conservation areas or the contents thereof, the cost of the repair or replacement shall be charged to such person or group in addition to any fine. Parents or legal guardians shall be financially liable for the acts of their minor children. Further use of recreation, park and conservation facilities may be denied to violators of this chapter in addition to imposition of fines or costs.