[Adopted 11-12-1986 by Ord. No. 5-86]
This article shall prescribe the rules and regulations for the establishment, protection, development and management of County parks and forests so as to provide a sustained yield of forest products for commercial use and the associated benefits of soil and water conservation, scenic value, recreational benefit, and fish and game resources, all in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources.
Except as provided otherwise herein, the provisions of this article shall apply to all lands, structures, and property owned, leased or administered by Price County for forest, park, wayside and special use purpose under the management, supervision and control of the Committee.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CAMPGROUND
Any tract of land designated by the County exclusively for camping purposes.
CAMPING
The use of any shelter such as a tent, trailer, motor vehicle, tarpaulin, bed roll or sleeping bag for temporary residence or sleeping purposes.
CAMPING PARTY
Any individual, family, unorganized group or juvenile group occupying a campsite.
CAMPING SEASON
That period from April 1 to December 1.[1]
CAMPING UNIT
A single shelter used for camping by a camping party, except those used exclusively for dining purposes.
CAMPSITE
A portion of a campground which is designated for use by a camping unit.
CANOE CAMPGROUND
A campground along a waterway for use by persons traveling by water.
CLOSED SHELTER
Any building or structure capable of being closed to public access and reserved for public or private group activities.
COMMITTEE
The Committee on Parks and Forests.
COUNTY FOREST
All lands owned or leased by the County that are managed under Ch. 28, Wis. Stats.
DEPARTMENT
The County Parks and Forests Department.
DNR
Department of Natural Resources.
EMERGENCY
A state of exigency which requires that immediate action be taken to protect life or property.
FAMILY
A parent or parents with their unmarried children and not more than two lineal relatives or two guests.
GROUP CAMPGROUND
A campground which is designated for use by organizational groups.
JUVENILE GROUP
A group composed of juvenile members of an established organization and under the leadership of at least one competent, mature adult for each 10 juveniles in the group.
PARK
Includes all lands and water heretofore and hereafter acquired by the County for park or recreational purposes and placed under the jurisdiction of the Committee and includes parks on County land managed under Ch. 28, Wis. Stats.
PERSON
Includes any individual, firm, partnership, corporation and association of persons, both singular and plural.
PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUND
A campground or area with minimal or no improvements, where camping may be permitted, accessible by hiking or by watercraft.
SPECIAL USE AREAS AND WAYSIDES
Includes all lands and waters, other than parks, heretofore and hereafter acquired by the County for special recreational or other purposes.
UNORGANIZED GROUP
A camping party composed of a group of five or fewer persons who are seven years of age or older.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
A. 
The boundaries of all parks, special use areas and waysides shall be designated by the Board which shall maintain a legal description of each such parcel in the Department office.
B. 
The parks subject to this section are:
(1) 
Solberg Lake Park.
(2) 
Big Falls Park.
(3) 
Timm's Hill Park.
(4) 
Wisconsin Concrete Park.
(5) 
Park Falls Tuscobia Trailhead Park.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
(6) 
Smith Lake Park.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
C. 
The special use areas subject to this section are:
(1) 
Hunter walking trails.
(2) 
Cross-country ski trails.
(3) 
Snowmobile trails.
(4) 
Holy Cross Ruffed Grouse Management Area.
(5) 
Pine Line Trail.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
(6) 
All-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
All County-owned lands now held or hereafter acquired for forestry purposes, established and designated as County forests, shall be shown on an official County forest map to be maintained in the Department office and shall be entered as County forest lands pursuant to § 28.11(4), Wis. Stats. In addition thereto, the official County forest map shall designate the boundaries of a well-blocked County forest. It is the intent of the Board to acquire lands within, or bordering, the County forest boundaries as they become available and upon a determination by the Committee that County ownership of the land is beneficial to the residents of Price County and of the state.
A. 
All parks, special use areas and waysides shall be open to the public throughout the year according to posted hours. No person may enter or be on such lands outside of those hours except for campers in or those who are en route to designated campgrounds or persons transporting watercraft to and from designated boat landings. For purposes of this subsection, the time shall be computed under §§ 175.09 and 175.095, Wis. Stats., whichever is applicable.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
The facilities in all parks, special use areas and waysides shall be maintained by the Department during the camping season, as defined in § 398-10. Outside of that season, the only facilities that will be maintained by the Department shall be ski trails and County snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
C. 
Camping and the use of the campground facilities shall be in accord with Subsection A.
D. 
No refunds shall be given for camping, shelter or clubhouse reservations.
A. 
Fee administration. It is unlawful for any person to use any facility, shelter or area for which a fee or charge has been established by ordinance without payment of the fee or charge.
B. 
Fees. Fees shall be established each year by Committee action.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
In the event of a natural or man-made disaster or emergency which necessitates, in the public interest, that all or a part of any land subject to this article be restricted to public access, the Committee shall have the power to close such lands or restrict their use or provide for emergency timber sales. Any actions under this section shall be subject to Board review and approval at its next scheduled meeting.
All permits which are issued by the Forest Administrator or other authorized park personnel shall be subject to all of the provisions of this article.
The location of all public and private utilities, structures, lines and pipes within any park, wayside or special use area shall be subject to the control of the Committee, and their construction, erection, repair or relocation shall be undertaken only after written consent thereto is received from the Committee and the Board.
It is unlawful for any person to peddle or solicit business of any nature, to distribute handbills or other advertising matter, or to post signs, posters or decorations on any lands or structures under the jurisdiction of the Committee, for any purposes whatsoever, unless first authorized by the Committee or its duly authorized agent.
It is unlawful for any person to engage in violent, abusive, indecent, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which such conduct tends to cause or provoke a disturbance.
It is unlawful for any person to disturb, destroy, vandalize, damage or remove the property or personal effects of others in parks, waysides or special use areas.
It is unlawful for any person to operate sound trucks, loudspeakers, motors, motorboats, motor vehicles or any other mechanical devices or engage in any activities which produce sound levels which are objectionable due to intermittence, duration, beat frequency, impulse character or shrillness.
A. 
Destruction, defacement or removal. It is unlawful for any person to disturb, vandalize, damage, deface, remove or destroy any trees, shrubs, plants or other natural growth, to carve on any rocks, archaeological or geological features, signs, walls or structures, to drive nails into trees, or to move, injure or deface in any manner any structure, including buildings, signs, fences, tables or other County property, except with the approval of the Committee. This prohibition shall not include the picking of edible fruits, nuts and fungi.
B. 
Trespass and tampering. It is unlawful for any person to enter any building, installation or area which may be under construction, locked or closed to public use and/or to tamper with, use or damage any water control structure, dam or culvert, or to enter or be upon any building, installation, or area after the posted closing time, or before the posted opening time, or contrary to other posted notices in any park, wayside or special use area.
A. 
Washing. The washing of cars, persons, pets, cooking utensils or clothing, as well as the cleaning of fish and game, is prohibited in all of the lakes and streams, or any picnic grounds, playgrounds, recreation areas, boat landings, parking lots or roadways, or within 50 feet of any pump, fountain or drinking water outlet in any park, wayside or special use area.
B. 
Refuse.
(1) 
It is unlawful to dispose of any trash, garbage, debris or other waste material not directly generated within the park, wayside or special use area or to dispose of the same in any manner other than designated receptacles.
(2) 
Charcoal residue shall not be discarded onto any grounds, nor into any containers other than those designated for such purposes.
A. 
No person shall operate any vehicle at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour or contrary to official traffic signs in any park, wayside or special use area.
B. 
No person shall operate any vehicle in any park, wayside or special use area in a manner contrary to the provisions of § 346.62, Wis. Stats.
C. 
It is unlawful to operate or park any vehicle on other than established roads and parking areas. This prohibition includes but is not limited to ski trails, hiking trails, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails, beach areas, playgrounds and picnic areas within the lands subject to the Committee's jurisdiction.
[Amended 4-21-2015 by Ord. No. 1-15]
D. 
It is unlawful to operate any snowmobile or other snow vehicle in any area or upon any trail in any park, wayside or special use area, except in areas or upon trails which have been specifically posted by the Department for utilization of snowmobiles or other snow vehicles.
E. 
It is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle in any area signed, gated, bermed or rocked and as such prohibiting use or upon any trail in any park, wayside or special use area, except in areas or upon trails which have been specifically posted by the Department for utilization of motor vehicles.
[Added 4-21-2015 by Ord. No. 1-15; amended 4-16-2024 by Ord. No. 1-24]
F. 
It is unlawful to operate any unlicensed motor bicycle or motor vehicle, as defined at § 340.01, Wis. Stats., in any park, wayside or special use area or for any person to operate a motorcycle without a valid operator's permit as and for motorcycle operations.
G. 
It is unlawful to operate any off-highway motorcycle, as defined at § 23.335, Wis. Stats., in any area signed, gated, bermed or rocked and as such prohibiting use of or upon any trail in any park, wayside or special use area, except in areas or upon trails which have been specifically posted by the Department for utilization of motor vehicles.
[Added 4-16-2024 by Ord. No. 1-24]
H. 
It is unlawful to operate any Class 2 electric bicycle, as defined at § 340.01 (15ph), Wis. Stats., in any County-designated nonmotorized area.
[Added 4-16-2024 by Ord. No. 1-24]
It is unlawful for any person to park, stop or leave standing, whether attended or unattended, any vehicle or watercraft in any manner which is:
A. 
Blocking, obstructing or limiting the use of any road, trail, parking lot, boat landing, waterway or winter sport facility;
B. 
Outside of any area provided for such purpose;
C. 
Contrary to posted notice; or
D. 
In any park area between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and the following 6:30 a.m., except that vehicles or watercraft owned by registered campers residing in adjacent campgrounds and vehicles at designated boat landings used to transport watercraft are permitted at any time.
It is unlawful within any park, wayside or special use area for any person to start, tend or maintain any fire or to burn any refuse, except at designated fireplaces, fire rings or grills, unless otherwise posted, and it is also unlawful for any person to leave unattended or abandon any fire or to discard any matches, cigarettes, cigars, pipe ashes or embers without first extinguishing them.
It is unlawful for any person to possess, fire, discharge, explode or set off any squib, cracker or other explosive or pyrotechnic device containing powder or other combustible or explosive material within the boundaries of any park, wayside or special use area, except by permission of the Committee or its duly authorized agent.
It is unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession or under his or her control in any park, wayside or special use area any firearm or airgun as defined in § 939.22(2), Wis. Stats., or any bow, crossbow or slingshot, unless it is unstrung and enclosed in a carrying case. This prohibition shall not apply to the Holy Cross Grouse Management Area, Pine Line Trail, hunter walking trails, ski trails, snowmobile trails or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails during established state hunting seasons.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
It is unlawful for any person to allow pet animals to enter any public building, bathing beach, picnic ground or playground within any park, wayside or special use area, or to allow them to run at large at any time in parks, waysides or special use areas, or otherwise contrary to posting. Subject to the conditions expressed, such animals shall be permitted upon lands under the control of the Committee, provided that they are kept on a leash no longer than eight feet and under the owner's control at all times. Persons shall not allow their pet animals to deprive or disrupt the enjoyment or use of any area by other persons.
It is unlawful for any person to ride or possess a horse in any park, wayside or special use area except in designated places.
It is unlawful for any person to take, catch, kill, hunt, trap, pursue or otherwise capture any wild animals or birds in any park, wayside or special use area, with the express exception that hunting or trapping shall be allowed during established state seasons at Holy Cross Grouse Management Area, Pine Line Trail, hunter walking trails, ski trails, snowmobile trails, or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails during established state hunting seasons.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
It is unlawful for any person to play or practice baseball, golf, tennis, archery or other games or sports upon or within any park, wayside or special use area, except upon ball fields, tennis courts, archery ranges or appropriate athletic grounds or driving ranges established by the Committee, unless such activity, in the opinion of the authorized agent, does not create any use problems for other purposes for which the area is provided.
It is unlawful to swim beyond, disturb, vandalize or damage a bathing beach boundary buoy, dam marker buoy or other markers or buoys in any swimming area, adjacent to any dam, or in any other such marked area in any park, wayside or special use area.
Designated sites shall be maintained at Solberg Lake, Timm's Hill and Smith Lake Parks for public swimming. It is unlawful for any person to:
A. 
Swim, wade or bathe in the water fronting upon any designated swimming site during electrical storms or in any other life-threatening weather;
B. 
Swim, wade or bathe within 50 feet of any boat landing;
C. 
Use any type of flotation device, except for life jackets and life vests, contrary to posted notice;
D. 
Use or possess any glass containers on designated beach sites; or
E. 
Bring pets or horses on designated beach sites.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
Except in locations designated for such purposes by the Department, it is unlawful for any person to engage in any athletic game or sport or in any activity upon any beach or in the water when, in the opinion of the authorized agent in charge, injury or inconvenience to others shall result therefrom.
It is unlawful for any person to change clothing except in a beach house or other enclosed place.
A. 
Permitted camping. Camping shall be allowed only at designated campsites in the campgrounds at Solberg Lake Park, Smith Lake Park and Big Falls Park. Camping shall be allowed in those parks and in the County forest subject to § 398-40A(1).
[Amended 4-21-2015 by Ord. No. 1-15]
B. 
Camping limit. No person shall camp and no camping unit shall remain in a campground for a period in excess of 28 nights in succession. Thereafter, the camping unit must be removed from the property for at least one night before the camping party is eligible to return.
[Amended 4-16-2024 by Ord. No. 1-24]
C. 
Campsite occupancy. It is unlawful for more than one camping party to occupy a single campsite, except that up to 10 members of a juvenile group may occupy a campsite, using any number of camping units, on properties which do not have a designated group campground area. Not more than one recreational trailer, motor home or pickup camper may occupy a campsite, unless each pays the required fee.
D. 
Campsite changes. No registered camping party shall move from its assigned campsite to another campsite in a designated campground without prior approval of the caretaker.
E. 
Camping permit expiration. All camping permits expire at 2:00 p.m. on the last day of the permit period.
F. 
Campsite parking. It is unlawful to park any motor vehicle at any campsite except upon the gravel parking area therein provided, and no more than two motor vehicles shall be permitted at any one campsite, including the camping unit if said is a motor vehicle.
G. 
Campsite use. Campsite use shall be on a first-come-first-served basis.
H. 
Camping violations. The violation of any law or County ordinance by any member of a camping party shall constitute cause for revocation of the camping permit for the campsite in question.
I. 
Campground hours. With the exception of registered campers, no person shall be allowed in the campground areas designated in § 398-11B during quiet hours (10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.).
Upon approval of applications by the Board for entry of lands under § 28.11(4), Wis. Stats., the County Clerk shall, after verifying County ownership of the listed lands, execute the applications and forward them to the DNR within the prescribed time limits for each year's applications. Withdrawal of lands so entered shall be perfected in the manner prescribed by § 28.11(11), Wis. Stats., upon adoption of a resolution via a two-thirds vote of the membership of the Board. No deed to any County forest land shall be issued prior to recording by the County of an order of withdrawal with the Register of Deeds.
All allotments from the DNR to the County under § 28.11(8)(b), Wis. Stats., for the purchase, development, preservation and maintenance of the County forest shall be deposited in the segregated state forest aid fund by the County Treasurer.
A. 
Recreational use.
(1) 
Overnight camping may be permitted in the County forest without charge for a period not to exceed two weeks' time, provided that a dispersed camping permit is obtained. Dispersed camping is not allowed within 1/4 mile of campgrounds, day use areas and boat landings. Any camper or campers who violate the rules and regulations of this article or of good conduct, including cutting or defacing timber, carelessness with fire, and violation of game, fish and litter regulations, shall be subject to ejection from the County forest and subject to the penalties provided by ordinances and state law.
[Amended 4-21-2015 by Ord. No. 1-15]
(2) 
The dumping of rubbish, debris, dirt, stone or any other materials shall be prohibited on all County forest lands. Visitors, including berry pickers, hunters, fishermen and tourists, are forbidden to leave litter anywhere in the forest or in its lakes or streams.
(3) 
It is unlawful for any person to have in his or her possession or under his or her control in any County forest any firearm or airgun as defined in § 939.22(2), Wis. Stats., or any bow, crossbow or slingshot in contravention of state law.
(4) 
It is unlawful to construct, occupy or use any elevated scaffold or other elevated device on County forest lands other than portable tree stands or to cause damage to trees on County forest lands by the placement, erection or removal of tree stands or other means of gaining access to trees.
[Amended 4-16-2024 by Ord. No. 1-24]
(5) 
It is unlawful to operate a vehicle for recreational use or other purposes in such a manner as to cause soil erosion or other damage to County forests.
(6) 
It is unlawful to operate any unauthorized motor vehicle on roads or trails which are gated, bermed or posted to prohibit travel.
(7) 
It is unlawful for any person to abandon or leave any fires unattended or to discard any matches, cigarettes, cigars, pipe ashes or any embers without first extinguishing them.
(8) 
It is unlawful for any person to start or to possess any fires on a Department of Natural Resources designated red flag day, including but not limited to campfires, use of cooking grills, and smoking of cigarettes or pipes in the open. This prohibition includes all County-owned land.
(9) 
It is unlawful to cross-country ski on any authorized snowmobile trail on County land.
B. 
Timber cutting.
(1) 
Cultural cuttings shall include thinnings, release cuttings, sanitation cuttings and improvement cuttings to remove trees of inferior species, form, or condition for the purpose of stand improvement. All cultural cuttings in the County forest shall be approved of by the Committee, in accordance with the County Forest Management Plan, and in cooperation with the staff of the DNR. Materials cut in such operations by County crews may be used by the Parks and Forests Department or given to other County agencies for their use or sold, as the Committee shall determine. When given, or sold, to other public agencies, the latter shall pay the County a sum not less than prevailing average stumpage rates.
(2) 
Salvage cuttings shall include the cutting of timber damaged by fire, storm, insect or disease. Salvage cutting shall be done under the procedure specified for cultural cutting or for commercial cutting, as the Committee may decide.
(3) 
Commercial cuttings shall include all cuttings where stumpage is sold under contract in which the primary objective of the cutting is the marketing of the timber products, including logs, ties, poles, posts, pulpwood, piling, Christmas trees and boughs, or other forest products.
(a) 
Timber sales shall be managed in accordance with County forest law, § 28.10, Wis. Stats.
(b) 
Contract specifications for each cutting operation pertaining to payment and financial responsibility of the bidder shall be determined by the Committee in consultation with the Forest Administrator and the DNR Forester.
(c) 
After approval of any sales by the Committee, a notice of intention to cut shall be prepared under § 28.11(6)(b)(3), Wis. Stats., and DNR rules. Cutting operations shall not be started until cutting notice approval is received by the Department.
(d) 
All timber sales shall conform to the provisions of § 28.11, Wis. Stats., and shall follow the procedure as provided for in the DNR Timber Sales Handbook 2461.
(e) 
Payment for forest products shall be made promptly after billing. Prepayment and other payment arrangements may be arranged with the approval of the Committee.
C. 
Firewood permits.
(1) 
Each person who desires to purchase downed or standing trees in forests or parks for firewood must acquire a permit for that purpose from the Forest Administrator.
(2) 
The issuance of and use of permits shall be subject to the following conditions:
(a) 
No more than one permit shall be issued per household.
(b) 
Permits are not transferable.
(c) 
Wood cut shall be used for personal firewood needs only and may not be resold.
(d) 
Firewood may be collected only in the area designated on the permit.
(e) 
The permit holder must collect the firewood within the time period stated on the permit. Upon the expiration date of the permit, all rights are to be revoked.
(f) 
The Forest Administrator reserves the right to cancel or revoke permits, and the use of permits will be suspended during periods of emergency burning restrictions.
(g) 
The permit holder shall personally or in conjunction with members of his or her household collect the firewood under the permit.
(h) 
Permit holders shall hold the County harmless from any injuries or property damage which they might incur in the process of wood collection and shall be held responsible for any damage to County property which they cause while operating under their permits.
(3) 
Permit form. Firewood permits shall be prepared on a standard form by the Forest Administrator and approved by the Corporation Counsel and the Committee on Parks and Forests