Township of North Strabane, PA Chapter 16 Parks and Recreation

Part 1 RULES AND REGULATIONS

§ 101 Definitions.

[Ord. No. 389, 11/24/2020[1]]

As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meaning indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: repealing[2]

NONRESIDENTS

All other "persons."

PARK or PARKS

Unless specifically limited, shall be deemed to include all parks, recreation areas, trails, tennis courts, recreation structures and facilities, and also entrances and approaches thereto, and all other land or property or structures, now and hereafter owned or acquired by the Township of North Strabane for park or recreational purposes.

PERSON or PARTY

Any natural person, corporation, organization or person, company, association and partnership.

RESIDENTS

All persons living in the Township and those owning real property within the Township boundaries.

RULES and REGULATIONS

Any rules and regulations hereby or hereafter promulgated by the Board of Supervisors under the authority herein conferred.

SPECIAL USE or RESERVATION

Any use of a park area or facility as requested by a party. The Township Manager or designated representative makes the final termination for the approval or denial of all special use requests. If approved, the area or facility will be reserved for the requested party's activity, which may be exclusive. There also may be a requirement for a deposit and rental fee to be paid.

TOWNSHIP

North Strabane Township.

[1] Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Part 1, Rules and Regulations, which was adopted by Ord. No. 348, 6/26/2012.

[2] Editor's Note: So in original.

§ 102 Park Hours.

[Ord. No. 389, 11/24/2020]

All parks will be open at sunrise, prevailing time, and close at 11:00 p.m. Except for official business or with written permission of the Township Manager or his designated representative, no person or motor vehicle shall be permitted within any park after the established closing hour.

§ 103 Prohibited Conduct.

[Ord. No. 389, 11/24/2020]

1. No person in attendance at a park shall:

A. Injure, deface, remove, cut or damage any of the trees, plants, shrubs, turf, fences, buildings, structures, signs or fixtures or any other property of the Township located within the park.

B. Litter any area of the park with garbage, paper, bottles, cans or other waste materials; nor dispose of the same other than in any way except in receptacles designated for such purpose.

C. Kindle or maintain any fire in the park except in Township-approved barbeque grills. The Township reserves the right for special exceptions approved by the Township Manager or his designated representatives for purposes of special events or Township-related functions.

D. Remove any bench, seat, table or other appliances without the written permission of the Board of Supervisors.

E. Injure, deface, destroy or remove any notice, rule or regulation posted at any place within the park by authority of the Board of Supervisors; nor shall any notice or placard be posted within the park other than by authority of the Board of Supervisors or designated representative, except upon notice boards specifically provided for such purposes.

F. Set up any booth, table or stand for the sale of any article or service whatsoever within the limits of the park, or distribute, sell, service or rent any services or commodity, or solicit for any purposes without the express, written permission of the Township Manager or his designated representative.

G. Allow pets to run at large, out of control. All pets must remain on a leash (maximum ten-foot leash).

H. Shall be permitted to discharge firearms.

I. Participate in gambling activities without the use of small games of chance permit and written approval by the Township Manager or designated representative.

J. Possess illegal drugs or participate in illegal activities.

K. Be permitted to park motor vehicles, except on paved streets and roadways within the parks specifically designated therefore. Vehicles shall not be operated thereon at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour, unless specifically authorized by the Township Manager or his designated representative.

L. Operate motor scooters, minibikes, golf carts, ATVs or go-carts within the parks.

M. Conduct themselves in an unruly or disorderly manner or detract from the general public enjoyment of any park area.

N. Use loudspeakers, amplifiers, or other means of sound amplification in the parks without the written permission of the Township Manager or designated representative, and then only for specific uses and times as designated in the permit.

O. Camp in other than areas designated by the Township. All camping approvals must satisfy requirements for the following: adequate supervision, primitive camp style, no use of special vehicles such as trailers, and pre-arrangements with the Township.

P. Golf on playing fields or near pavilions, playgrounds, or event areas.

Q. Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any party/person occupying any area used for a special event or program.

R. Ride a horse on any ballfield, shelter/picnic area, playground area, or any area used for a special event or program. Horses are prohibited on trails also.

S. Announce, advertise or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire. Exception may be permitted for a Parks and Recreational Department approved special use.

§ 104 Reservations for Specific Uses.

[Ord. No. 389, 11/24/2020]

1. The use of all parks shall be on a first-come, first-served basis unless otherwise reserved:

A. By annual permission granted by the Township Manager or his designated representative for the scheduling of various league games, etc.

B. For athletic games, practice, contests or exhibitions.

C. For regularly scheduled events or municipal recreation programs.

D. By permission granted by the Township Manager or his designated representative for a specific requested use.

E. For maintenance, construction, closures or other Township purposes.

§ 105 Authority to Close Areas.

[Ord. No. 389, 11/24/2020]

Recreation facilities which become hazardous for public use or subject to damage due to weather, water, fire or unforeseeable conditions may be closed at the discretion of the Township Manager or his designated representative.

§ 106 Special Use.

[Ord. No. 389, 11/24/2020]

1. Reservation; Approvals and Revocations. All reservations for any park facility or area will be managed by the Parks and Recreation Director and staff. Any approval/permit may be revoked by the Township upon finding a violation of any ordinance or rule or upon good cause shown.

2. Deposits. Deposits may be required to be paid to the Township for some special requests and applied as follows:

A. The security deposit will be determined by the Parks and Recreation Director with the prior approval of the Board of Supervisors. The deposit charge shall not exceed $1,000. The deposit required must always be presented to the Township and must be received at the time of application. A refund will be returned to the party if no damages or excessive cleanup has been incurred by the Township.

B. If for any reason there is damage to any part of the park area, the Township shall determine the extent of the damage and deduct the dollar amount from the deposit paid by the party. If the cleanup exceeds the routine duties required, a restitution fee shall be assessed and deducted from the deposit.

C. In either or both cases, if the amount of damage or extra cleanup required exceeds the deposit paid by the party, the Township may bill the party for the balance, to be paid in full, no more than 30 days from the billing date. If the payment is not received from the party within that time, all future special use requests by that party will be denied until such a time as payment is received.

3. Reservation Fee. Fees for reservations shall be established by resolution by the Board of Supervisors, or may be established to underwrite a particular service as necessary. All fees must be received by the Township at the time of application.

4. Refunds. Please see the Park and Field Usage Policy.

§ 107 Promulgation of Rules and Regulations.

[Ord. No. 389, 11/24/2020]

The Parks and Recreation Director with prior approval of the Board of Supervisors may, from time to time, promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this Part, including, but not limited to, adjustment of park hours, deposits, costs, and fees relating to park(s) use without being required to amend this Part.

§ 108 Enforcement.

[Ord. No. 389, 11/24/2020]

The police officers and/or the code enforcement officers of the Township, as the case may be, are charged with enforcement of the provisions of this Part.

§ 109 Penalties.

[Ord. No. 389, 11/24/2020]

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not more the $1,000, and/or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days.