[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Chesterfield 3-13-1980 by Ord. No. 1980-1. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alcoholic beverages — See Ch. 66.
Fees — See Ch. 110.
Littering — See Ch. 132.
Noise — See Ch. 136.
Nuisances — See Ch. 138.
Open space and recreation land acquisition — See Ch. 140.
Motor-driven vehicles — See Ch. 186.
Public health nuisances — See Ch. 210.
A. 
No person in a public park and recreation area shall:
(1) 
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railing, pavings or paving materials, waterlines or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.
(2) 
Fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition. No person above the age of five years shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.
(3) 
Dig or remove any soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs or plants or other wood or materials or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.
(4) 
Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary, or run or string any public service utility into, upon or across such lands, except on special written permit issued hereunder.
(5) 
Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark or pick flowers or seed of any trees or plant, dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any other way injure the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.
(6) 
Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, planters, fountains, railings, fences or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.
(7) 
Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, pursue, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animal, wildlife, reptile or bird; nor shall he remove or have in his possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird. Exception to the foregoing is made in that snakes known to be deadly poisonous or deadly reptiles may be killed on sight.
(8) 
Throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream or other body of water in or adjacent to any park or any tributary stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such water any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said waters.
(9) 
Have brought in or shall dump in, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse or other trash. No such refuse or trash shall be placed in any waters in or contiguous to any part or left anywhere on the grounds thereof but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided. Where receptacles are not provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.
(10) 
Drive any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads or parking areas or such areas as may on occasion be specifically designated as temporary areas.
(11) 
Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area, and such shall be in accordance with posted directions thereat and with the instruction of any attendant who may be present.
(12) 
Leave a vehicle standing or parked at night at established parking areas or elsewhere in the park area.
(13) 
Leave a bicycle in a place other than a bicycle rack when such is provided and there is space available.
(14) 
Ride a bicycle without reasonable regard to the safety of others.
(15) 
Leave a bicycle lying on the ground or paving or set against trees or in any place or position where other persons may trip over or be injured by them.
(16) 
Swim, bathe or wade in any waters or waterways in or adjacent to any park, except in such waters and at such places as are provided therefor and in compliance with such regulations as are herein set forth or may be hereinafter adopted; nor shall any person frequent any waters or places customarily designated for the purposes of swimming or bathing or congregate thereat, when such activities are prohibited by the Township Committee, upon a finding that such use of the water would be dangerous or otherwise inadvisable.
(17) 
Frequent any waters or places designated for the purposes of swimming or bathing or congregate thereat, except between such hours of the day as shall be designated by the Township Committee for such purposes for each individual site.
(18) 
Allow himself to be so covered with a bathing suit so as to indecently expose his person.
(19) 
Dress or undress on any beach or in any vehicle, toilet or other place, except in such bathing houses or structures as may be provided for that purpose.
(20) 
Bring into or operate any boat, raft or other watercraft, whether motor-powered or not, upon any waters, except at places designated for boating. Such activity shall be in accordance with applicable regulations as are now or hereafter may be adopted.
(21) 
Navigate, direct or handle any boat in such a manner as to unjustifiably or unnecessarily annoy or frighten or endanger the occupant of any other boat.
(22) 
Launch, dock or operate any boat of any kind on any water between the closing hour of the park at night and the opening hour of the park the following morning, nor shall any person be on, remain on or in any boat during said closed hours of the park.
(23) 
Fish in any area where bathing is permitted.
(24) 
Carry or possess firearms of any description or air rifles, spring guns, bows and arrows, slings or any other forms of weapons potentially inimical to wildlife and dangerous to human safety or any instrument that can be loaded with and fire bland cartridges Or any kind of trapping device. Shooting into park areas from beyond park boundaries is forbidden.
(25) 
Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose.
(26) 
Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available, then trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.
(27) 
Ride, drive or bring any horse upon any township park or recreation area.
[Added 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
(28) 
Allow any dog to run at large. Dogs shall be permitted in township parks and recreational areas so long as they are restrained by a leash not exceeding six feet in length and led or controlled by a person capable of controlling said dog.
[Added 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
(29) 
Fail to clean up after any pet.
[Added 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
(30) 
Drive or park any motorized vehicles, including minibikes, snow mobiles or other power-driven equipment (except for motorized wheelchairs or other aids utilized by disabled persons) on or in any township park or recreation area.
[Added 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
[Added 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2; amended 4-28-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-7]
Any person using a public tennis court or pickleball court owned by the Township of Chesterfield shall be subject to the following additional rules and regulations:
A. 
Township residents shall be given priority in terms of usage of and play upon said courts.
B. 
Play shall be limited to one hour if and when others are waiting to utilize the courts.
C. 
Proper footwear shall be required at all times.
D. 
Street hockey is expressly prohibited.
E. 
No in-line skates, roller-skates, skateboards, bicycles or other wheeled vehicles or toys shall be permitted on the courts at any time; nothing herein contained, however, shall preclude the utilization of wheelchairs by persons requiring the same as a result of physical disabilities.
[Added 12-30-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-21]
A. 
All recreational activities are prohibited in or in close proximity to the following, as defined by § 130-4 of the Code of the Township of Chesterfield:
(1) 
Detention basins.
(2) 
Retention basins.
(3) 
Stormwater management basins.
B. 
Prohibited recreational activities include, but are not limited to, boating, sunbathing, fishing, hunting, and swimming. No permits shall be issued for any recreational activities in the prohibited areas listed in Subsection A of this section.
C. 
Any area in which all recreational activities are prohibited shall be marked with a prominently placed sign that reads "NO RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY PERMITTED."
D. 
Enforcement of this section shall comply with § 146-5D of the Code of the Township of Chesterfield.
E. 
Any person or persons violating this section shall be subject to the penalties provided in § 146-6 of the Code of the Township of Chesterfield.
F. 
This section does not apply to recreation ponds, defined and governed by § 166-11 of the Code of the Township of Chesterfield.
[Amended 4-28-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-7]
A. 
Dogs must be leashed while entering and exiting the dog park.
B. 
Aggressive or uncontrollable dogs are prohibited from the dog park.
C. 
Dog handlers must remain inside the dog park, in control of their dog the entire time the animal is in the dog park, and shall have a leash readily available.
D. 
Dogs must be under voice control and handlers shall not rely on electronic control measures while inside the dog park.
E. 
Dog handlers are responsible to immediately clean up after their dog.
F. 
Dog handlers must be at least 16 years of age.
G. 
Children under 13 years of age must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times.
H. 
No human food, dog food or treats are permitted inside the dog park.
I. 
No glass containers are permitted inside the dog park.
J. 
Dogs under four months of age are not permitted inside the dog park.
K. 
Dogs known to be ill or displaying symptoms of illness as well as dogs in heat are prohibited from the dog park.
While in a public park or recreation area, all persons shall conduct themselves in a proper and orderly manner and, in particular, no person shall:
A. 
Bring alcoholic beverages into the park, or drink the same at any time. The Township Committee, in connection with public celebrations or similar special events, may, by written permit, except from the provisions of this chapter the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public park, in such permit specified and on a date and between hours therein specified, and subject to conditions designed to prevent any abuse or disorder resulting therefrom.
[Amended 7-24-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-15]
B. 
Have in his possession or set or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn any firecrackers, torpedo rockets or other fireworks, firecrackers or explosives of flammable material or discharge them or throw them into any such areas from lands or highways adjacent thereto. This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture or article that, in conjunction with any other substance or compound, would be dangerous from any of the foregoing standpoints. At the discretion of the Township Committee, permits may be given for conducting properly supervised fireworks in designated park areas.
C. 
Appear at any place in other than proper clothing.
D. 
Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private.
E. 
Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other flammable materials within any park or on any highways, roads or streets abutting or contiguous thereto.
F. 
Enter an area posted as "Closed to the Public," nor shall any person use or abet in the use of any area in violation of posted notices.
G. 
Gamble or participate in or abet any game of chance except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Township Committee.
H. 
Go onto the ice on any of the waters, except such areas as are designated as skating fields and provided that a safety signal is displayed.
I. 
Sleep or protractedly lounge on the seats or benches or other areas or engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language or engage in any disorderly conduct or behavior tending to breach the public peace.
J. 
Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.
K. 
Paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard advertisement or inscription whatever, nor shall any person erect or cause to be erected any sign whatever on any public lands or highways or roads adjacent to a park.
L. 
Throw stones, rocks, sticks or other projectiles or objects in any manner so as to endanger any other persons.
[Added 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
M. 
Engage in, aid or encourage any physical confrontation or fight.
[Added 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
N. 
Give entertainment of any kind or transact business of any kind or hold public meetings or assemblies without permission of the Township Committee.
[Added 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
O. 
Possess, ingest, engage in the use of or be under the influence of any illegal narcotic drugs.
[Added 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
P. 
Allow a dog or other pet to enter upon any field of play whether enclosed or not on which organized sports or sporting events including practice sessions or similar activities are carried out by the public.
[Added 4-28-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-7]
[Added 3-25-2013 by Ord. No. 2013-3]
A. 
Purpose. The purpose of the facility sponsor program is to encourage local and regional supporters of the Township of Chesterfield, and particularly its various parks and recreation programs, to take an active role in maintaining the Township sports fields and park areas, to improve the appearance and playing conditions of same, to reduce the burden on taxpayers, and to create a long-term community commitment to these facilities by identifying local community partners to assist in the maintenance of parks and recreation areas through the donation of maintenance services and materials. In exchange for an annual (or seasonal, where appropriate) commitment to provide maintenance services or materials to the Township’s parks and recreation areas, the Township will permit the erection of sponsorship signs at sports field and/or park entrances.
B. 
Sponsors may be business entities, nonprofit organizations or individuals. Sponsorship will not create a priority in any right by the sponsor to utilize the facility. The same will remain open for the general use of the public unless a permit has been granted for a seasonal or daily purpose.
C. 
Sponsors will be permitted to post a sign in a park or on a particular sports field when that sponsor has entered into an annual or seasonal commitment to perform labor or provide donation(s) of materials for the improvement of the park.
D. 
The size and location of the sign will be determined by the level of services or materials provided to the facility.
E. 
The Township Clerk, Engineer and Solicitor shall develop reasonable and uniform regulations to fulfill the purposes of this section, and a copy of the same shall be kept on file with Township Clerk. The Township Solicitor shall develop a contract for use between the Township and the sponsor.
F. 
The Mayor and the Township Clerk shall be permitted to enter into contracts in fulfillment of this section upon approval by the Township Committee.
A. 
Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies and the exclusion noted in Subsections B, C and D below, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. No person and/or vehicle shall be present in any designated park at a time other than these designated hours.
B. 
The Township Committee celebrations or other special events may, by written permit, provide for a later closing hour for a specified park for a specific date and subject to whatever conditions are needed to ensure the public safety of the participants.
C. 
Persons who are walking through the park on designated walkways are excluded from the closing-hour designation, provided that their length of time in the park is limited to that required to traverse the park area.
D. 
Persons who are participating in recreation activities on facilities lighted by the township are exempt from the closed-hour designation while the lights are functioning.
E. 
Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public at any time and for any interval of time, either temporary or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise) and either entirely or merely for certain uses.
[Amended 5-28-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-6]
Permits for special events and requests for the reservation of parks and recreational fields and facilities shall be obtained by application to the Recreation Director of the Township or other person designated by the Township Committee in accordance with the following procedure:
A. 
A person seeking issuance of a permit hereunder shall file an application stating as follows:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
The name and address of the person, persons, organization, corporation or association sponsoring the activity, if any.
(3) 
The day and hours for which the permit is desired.
(4) 
The park, field, or recreational facility, or portion thereof, for which such permit is desired.
(5) 
The number of guests and/or participants at the permitted event and their estimated age ranges.
(6) 
The number and names of any adult supervisors/coaches to be present at any registered event.
(7) 
An estimate of the percentage of guests/participants who are residents of the Township of Chesterfield.
(8) 
Any other information which the Township Committee shall find reasonably necessary to make a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued hereunder.
B. 
Issuance of permit.
(1) 
Standards for issuance of a use permit by the Township Committee include the following findings:
(a) 
That the proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park.
(b) 
That the proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
(c) 
That the proposed activity or uses that are reasonably anticipated will not include violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
(d) 
That the proposed activity will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense or police protection by the Township of Chesterfield.
(e) 
That the facilities desired have not been reserved for other use at the date and hour requested in the application.
(f) 
The applicant or applicant organization's prior compliance with this chapter and the rules and regulations governing the use of Township facilities.
(2) 
The Township Committee may refer the application to other official Township bodies for study and a written advisory report.
C. 
Appeal.
(1) 
Within 35 days after receipt of an application, the Township Committee shall appraise an applicant, in writing, of its reasons for refusing a permit, and any aggrieved person shall have the right to appeal to the Township Committee to reconsider its decision by serving written notice thereof on the Clerk of the Township within five days of said refusal.
(2) 
A copy of said notice shall also be sent by the Clerk to any of the official Township bodies referred to by the Township Committee for study and a written advisory report prior to its action to refuse to issue a permit. The Committee shall reconsider the application under the standards set forth under Subsection B hereof and sustain or amend its decision within 35 days from the receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Township Committee on appeal shall be final.
D. 
A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as though the same were inserted in said permits.
E. 
The person, corporation, association, or organization to whom the permit is issued shall be liable and responsible for all violations of this chapter by their guests, participants, and visitors. In addition, the permit holder is solely liable for loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whatever by reason of the negligence of the person or persons to whom such permit shall have been issued. The Township Committee shall have the right to require any permittee to submit the evidence of liability insurance covering injuries to members of the general public arising out of such permitted activities in such amounts as may be from time to time determined by the Township Committee prior to the commencement of any activity of issuance of any permit.
F. 
Revocation. The Township Committee shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon finding of violation of any rule or ordinance or upon good cause shown.
G. 
The person, corporation, association, or organization to whom the permit is issued shall be responsible for the oversight and supervision of the permitted event. In the event a guest, participant, or visitor shall violate this chapter or damage or deface public property, the Township shall take the following actions:
(1) 
For a first offense, the permit holder, the offender and, if applicable under Chapter 142, the offender's parents shall be held jointly and severally accountable for the cost of repairing any defacement or damage of public property committed by guests, participants, or visitors of the permit holder and shall receive a warning.
(2) 
For a second offense, the offender and the person, association, or organization to whom the permit is issued shall be suspended and barred from any activities or events on municipal parks, fields, or recreational facilities for a period of four weeks. Any associated permit or registration fees shall be forfeited and no pro rata refunds shall be given.
(3) 
For a third offense, the offender and the person, association, or organization to whom the permit is issued shall be permanently expelled and barred from municipal parks, fields, or recreational facilities and shall be barred from applying for future permits.
[Amended 5-28-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-6]
A. 
The police officers, park attendants, and any other municipal employee or official so designated by the Township Committee shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this chapter.
B. 
The police officers, park attendants, and any other municipal employee or official so designated by the Township Committee shall have the authority to eject from the park area any person or persons acting in violation of this chapter.
C. 
The police officers, park attendants, and any other municipal employee or official so designated by the Township Committee shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing or device in the park or used in violation of this chapter.
D. 
Pursuant to § 146-1.2 of this chapter, police officers and any other municipal employee or official so designated by the Township Committee shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of § 146-1.2 of this chapter, and shall have the authority to eject any person or persons in violation of § 146-1.2 of this chapter.
[Added 12-30-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-21]
[Amended 4-13-1995 by Ord. No. 1995-2]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant hereto shall, upon conviction, be required to replace, repair or restore any damaged park property and shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and/or be sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed 90 days or to a term of community service not to exceed 90 days, at the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge.