[Amended 4-5-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
This chapter shall be known as the "Recreation
and Parks Ordinance of the Town of Gates."
The purpose of this chapter shall be to preserve
the public peace and good order in areas owned, leased or otherwise
controlled by the Town of Gates and designated or operated as public
parks or recreation areas and to contribute to the safety and enjoyment
of the users thereof by regulating the hours of use, by regulating
the use of motorized vehicles and by prohibiting certain activities
inimical to customary parks and recreation uses.
[Amended 7-7-1987; 2-5-1996 by L.L. No. 1-1996; 4-5-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
The following acts or activities are prohibited and no person
shall:
A. Operate any motorized vehicle, such as an automobile, all-terrain
vehicle, minibike, motorcycle, snowmobile and the like, within the
area of the park lands; provided however, that the operation of licensed
vehicles for the transportation of the public to and from the park
lands is permitted within designated roadways, and the parking of
such vehicles is also permitted within designated parking areas.
B. Drive or park on grass areas. Vehicles must be parked in designated
parking lots unless permitted by the Recreation and Parks Director
or his/her designee.
C. Discharge any firearm, spring gun or air gun, paint ball gun, BB
gun, slingshot, crossbow or bow and arrow or carry any concealed weapons
considered to be dangerous within the park areas.
D. Injure, deface or disturb any part of the park or any building, sign,
equipment or any other property therein or remove, injure or destroy
any tree, flower, shrub, rock or mineral therein.
E. Set fire or assist others to set fire to any timber, trees, shrubs,
grass, leaves, shelters, buildings, equipment or any other combustible
material or suffer any fire upon other lands to extend onto any part
of any park. Fires within Town fireplaces and stationary or portable
grills are permitted within the park but must be completely extinguished
after use. Fireworks of any type are not allowed in the parks unless
sponsored by the Town of Gates.
F. Throw, cast, lay, drop, discharge, deposit, bring into or leave in
any part of the park land any garbage, containers for food or liquids,
other waste or other obnoxious material otherwise than in containers
provided for such purpose. No glass containers are allowed.
G. Drive or propel, or cause to be driven, any permitted vehicle at
a rate of speed greater than that speed so designated.
H. Use unreasonably loud or obscene language, fight, perform acts intended
to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or interfere with
any officer of the Town, county or state in the performance of his
or her duty; infringe on the parties of permit holders for shelters,
shelter overhangs or pavilions.
I. Under the age of 21 years, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian,
possess, transport or bring into any Town park or recreation area
any alcoholic beverage or beer as such terms are defined in § 3
of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law of the State of New York.
J. Under the age of 21 years, consume any alcoholic beverage or beer
in any Town park or recreation area.
K. Become or be in an intoxicated condition while in any Town park or
recreation area.
L. Introduce into any Town park a dog, cat or other household pet or
any other animal which may be injurious or destructive to birds, fish,
animals or other wildlife, plant life or other natural features within
a park or which may be dangerous, injurious or offensive to users
of a park, except that dogs and cats shall be permitted in certain
areas within a park if controlled by a leash. Under no circumstances
may horses be permitted within any Town park, except upon the approval
of the Director of Recreation and Parks. Pet owners must clean up
after pets that are brought into the parks.
M. Cause or allow the overnight parking or storage of automobiles, motorcycles,
boats, recreational vehicles, etc., within any Town park.
N. Swim, wade in water or bring any boat or flotation device into any
body of water within any Town park.
O. Cause or permit live bands or disc jockeys to perform in any Town
park without the prior approval of the Director of the Recreation
and Parks Department.
P. Hit, strike, drive or chip golf balls on park lands.
Q. Trespass in parks when they are closed.
[Amended 4-5-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
A. The prohibitions contained in §
134-4 shall not apply to:
(1) Members of authorized law enforcement agencies, members of the Recreation
and Parks Commission, or the agents and employees of said Commission,
while in the performance of their duties.
(2) Recreational activities sponsored conducted or authorized by the
Recreation and Parks Commission of the Town of Gates.
B. Areas within such parks or recreation areas which are so designated
may be used for otherwise prohibited activities. If any such areas,
such as minibike trails, snowmobile trails, etc., are so designated
they shall be conspicuously posted by signs or otherwise.
The Town Board or its designee is charged with
the administration of this chapter.
[Amended 2-5-1996 by L.L. No. 1-1996]
A. Violations of any provisions or regulations of this
chapter shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not
greater than $250 or imprisonment for not more than 15 days, or both
such fine and imprisonment, for each violation.
[Amended 9-7-1999 by L.L. No. 2-1999]
B. Any person convicted of a violation as set forth in
this chapter shall be subject to the provisions of § 65.10
of the New York State Penal Law and § 758-a of the New York
State Family Court Act relative to the making of restitution, reparation
for loss or damages and the performing of services for a public agency
or for the public good, which, in such case, shall include appropriate
services for the Recreation and Parks Department of the Town of Gates.
C. Parents or legal guardians of infants over 10 and
less than 18 years of age shall be liable for damages or destruction
caused in town parks by such infants, up to the sum of $5,000, pursuant
to the provisions of § 3-112 of the New York State General
Obligations Law.
[Amended 4-5-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
D. In addition to any penalties described herein, any
persons causing damage to park property, real or personal, shall be
liable to the Town of Gates for such damage in a civil action.
E. Persons
may be banned from use of Town parks by the Recreation and Parks Director
for a time period to be determined by the Recreation and Parks Director
or his/her designee. Banned individuals must petition in writing to
the Recreation and Parks Director for return of park privileges.
[Added 4-5-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
ORGANIZATIONS
Any business, corporation, partnership, association, school,
church, benevolent order or any other group, whether created by statute,
contract or by informal arrangement.
[Added 2-5-1996 by L.L. No. 1-1996]
PARKS
The grounds, buildings thereon, waters therein and any other
property necessary for the operation thereof and constituting a part
thereof which is now or may thereafter be maintained or operated and
controlled by the Town of Gates and shall include recreation areas
and playgrounds.