[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Washington 12-8-1994 by Ord. No. 1994-13; amended in its entirety 12-27-2012 by Ord. No.
2012-12. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The rules and regulations hereinafter set forth shall apply
to all public parks, recreation areas and open spaces, wherever situate,
owned by the Township of Washington, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Unless prior written approval has been granted by the Recreational
Board of the Township of Washington for a specified activity, the
hours for Township parks, recreation areas and open spaces are dawn
to dusk.
Motorized vehicles, whether electric or combustible-engine, shall be permitted only on designated roadways and within designated parking areas within all Township parks, recreation areas and open spaces; provided, however, designated parking areas shall be used and occupied solely by users of such Township park, recreation area or open space and only during the hours that such Township park, recreation area or open space is open as set forth in § 76-2 of this chapter. In no event shall motorized vehicles, whether electric or combustible-engine, of any type or size be driven or parked on any grassy area unless authorized by the Township.
No fire shall be permitted at any Township park, recreation
area or open space except in an area and in an approved receptacle
specifically designated for such purpose or as otherwise approved
in advance by the Township Fire Marshal.
The following activities are prohibited in all Township parks,
recreation areas and open spaces:
A.
Littering.
B.
The bringing of personal and/or household trash and/or refuse onto
any Township park, recreation area or open space and/or the discarding
of the same, whether within or outside of a trash receptacle, except
for trash generated while utilizing such Township park, recreational
area or open space facilities.
C.
It shall be unlawful within all Township parks, recreation areas,
and open space for any person to discharge a firearm or to use a weapon
other than as follows:
[Amended 3-26-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-05]
(1)
Constables,
sheriffs, prison or jail wardens, or their deputies, policemen of
this commonwealth or its political subdivisions, or other law enforcement
officers while engaged in their official duties, including but not
limited to training sessions; and
(2)
Officers
or employees of the United States duly authorized to carry and discharge
a firearm while engaged in their official duties.
(3)
Any
individual who discharges a firearm when legally necessary: to protect
human life; to injure, defend against or kill a dangerous animal,
or as otherwise provided by law. Nothing in this section shall exempt
any person or persons from being subject to all the rules and regulations
promulgated and set forth by Pennsylvania Title 34 known as the "Pennsylvania
Game Law," as amended.
E.
Intentionally, recklessly or negligently causing destruction to or
removal of any park, recreation area or open space equipment, facility
or property.
F.
Immoral, indecent or disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, use
of profane language or engaging in any lewd, immoral or commonly objectionable
conduct that may annoy any other person using a Township park, recreation
area or open space for recreational purposes.
G.
Overnight parking.
H.
Except in the case of an emergency, and then only to the extent necessary
to remove such motorized vehicle from such Township park, recreation
area or open space, no person shall repair a motorized vehicle within
any Township park, recreation area or open space.
I.
Riding of bicycles or other pedalcycles within all Township parks,
recreation areas and open spaces, except on designated roadways and
parking areas.
J.
Possessing or controlling of any alcoholic or malt beverage or illegal
controlled substance.
K.
No person shall engage in any kind of gambling game at which money
or other valuable things may be played for, staked or betted upon
without the prior written consent of the Township Recreation Board.
L.
Striking or hitting golf balls without the prior written consent
of the Township Recreation Board.
M.
With the exception of a guide dog accompanying a legally blind person
or a dog used to assist any other physically handicapped person, domesticated
animals, leased or unleased, including but not limited to dogs, cats
and horses, are not permitted in any Township park, recreation area
or open space.
N.
No person shall smoke any tobacco product including, but not limited
to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or the like in any Township park, recreation
area, or open space.
[Added 1-22-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-03]
O.
No person shall operate, or permit the operation of, any motorized
vehicle in any Township park, recreation area, or open space, except
for properly registered automobiles or trucks in designated areas
when operated by a licensed driver.
[Added 3-26-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-05]
P.
No person shall participate in, or permit the activity of, hunting,
target practice, animal trapping, or fishing in any Township park,
recreation, or open space area.
[Added 3-26-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-05]
No group event shall be held or conducted at any Township park,
recreation area or open space without the prior written consent of
the Township Board of Supervisors, the Township Manager, on behalf
of the Township Board of Supervisors, or any other person designated
by resolution of the Township Board of Supervisors.
Upon request of the Township, any person or entity who desires
to use any Township park, recreation area or open space, or portion
thereof, for an event, shall post cash funds with the Township to
compensate the Township for all added police protection, other security,
traffic control and other expenses which the Township, in its sole
discretion, deems necessary for such event. An additional fee shall
be due and payable to the Township for any event that is attended
by more than 150 persons. The fees due and payable to the Township
pursuant to this chapter shall be established from time to time by
resolution of the Township Board of Supervisors.
The Township Board of Supervisors, with the recommendation of
the Township Recreation Board, shall have the power to make reasonable
rules and regulations from time to time necessary to effectuate the
provisions of this chapter.
Any person or entity who or which shall violate or fail to comply
with any of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a civil
fine not to exceed the sum of $600, plus all costs, including but
not limited to reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the Township
as a result of such violation or failure. The Township Manager, or
any other Township representative authorized by the Township Board
of Supervisors, shall determine in each instance whether a violation
of or failure to comply with this chapter has occurred and, if so,
the amount of the civil fine to be imposed upon the violator. Notice
of the civil fine shall be served upon the violator by certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by personal service
by a Township representative. Upon the failure of any person or entity
to pay any such civil fine within 20 days from the date of service
thereof, the Township Manager, or other duly designated Township representative,
shall file a civil enforcement proceeding with the District Justice
having jurisdiction to recover such civil fine and costs, including
but not limited to attorneys' fees. No judgment shall be imposed
upon such violator until the date of the determination of a violation
by the District Justice. If the violator neither pays nor timely appeals
the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to applicable
Rules of Civil Procedure. Each day that a violation continues shall
constitute a separate offense.
