Borough of Norristown, PA Chapter 225 Parks and Recreation Areas

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Norristown as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Parks and Recreation Committee — See Ch. 66.

Alcoholic beverages — See Ch. 95.

Animals — See Ch. 103.

Bicycles — See Ch. 113.

Graffiti — See Ch. 176.

Noise — See Ch. 215.

Parades, street fairs, block parties and assemblies — See Ch. 223.

Peace and good order — See Ch. 229.

Article I General Regulations

[Adopted 10-7-2008 by Ord. No. 08-24[1]]

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Chapter 225, Parks and Recreation Areas, Art. I, adopted 4-6-1982 as Ch. 153, Art. I, of the 1981 Code, as amended; Art. II, adopted 7-7-1992 by Ord. No. 92-14; Art. III, adopted 8-2-1994 by Ord. No. 94-13; and Art. IV, adopted 3-7-1995 by Ord. No. 95-7.

§ 225-1 Prohibited activities.

A. No person shall cut, break or otherwise injure or deface any trees, shrubs, plants, turf, rock or any building, fence or other structure or foul or dump in any stream or spring or chimp any earth, rubbish, or other material in any park without express permission from the Municipality.

B. The use of intoxicating liquors, illegal drugs or gambling of any kind on park property is prohibited.

C. No person in a municipal park shall be under the influence of intoxicating liquors or other substances.

D. No person shall throw or place any lighted match, cigar or cigarette or other burning substance upon park grounds. No person shall make a fine upon park property. Cooking in park areas shall be on grills or other equipment specifically designed for this purpose.

E. With the exception of fishing upon commonwealth waterways, no person shall set a trap or snare or hunt wild animals in any manner in municipal parks. No person shall disturb nests or harm any wild animal in any way in municipal parks.

[Amended 1-5-2015 by Ord. No. 15-01]

F. All persons are forbidden to use threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language or to commit any obscene or indecent act on park property.

G. No person shall, without permission of the park authorities, ride or drive upon any part of the park except on roads intended for that purpose. Commercial trucks are prohibited from using the park drives and thoroughfares. Automobiles must not at any time travel at a speed faster than is consistent with safety. No one shall test or repair any automobile in the park. Teaching how to drive or washing cars in the park is prohibited. Parking after dark is prohibited, and there shall be no parking at any time except in designated areas.

H. No person shall erect, paint, paste or otherwise affix or distribute any signs, advertisement or circulars on park property. The sale of anything within the park is forbidden except by permission.

I. Common household pets are permitted in parks, provided the animals are secured with a leash at all times. Pet feces must be removed and disposed of in a trash can.

J. No person shall deface, destroy or vandalize in any manner any park property.

K. No person shall bring into municipal parks trampolines "moon bounce" toys or any amusement structure or inflatable toy. An exception may be made if preapproval is granted by the Municipal Administrator and the applicant provides a certificate of insurance deemed appropriate by the Municipal Administrator.

L. No person shall ride or possess a pony or horse. Furthermore, no person shall ride or possess any other animal weighing over 200 pounds in the park. An exception may be made if preapproval is granted by the Municipal Administrator and the applicant provides a certificate of insurance deemed appropriate by the Municipal Administrator.

§ 225-2 Hours of operation.

[Amended 8-16-2022 by Ord. No. 22-02]

A. No person or persons shall be permitted on any municipal park/parkland or municipal recreation area or recreation facility except between sunrise and sunset, except:

(1) By written permission, received in advance, from the Parks and Recreation Manager/Director; or

(2) For events of public interest sponsored or authorized by the Municipality.

B. Notwithstanding Subsection A above, any municipal park/parkland or municipal recreation area or facility may, in the sole discretion of the Parks and Recreation Manager/Director, be closed whenever such park, recreation area or facility becomes hazardous for public use due to weather, fire, water, construction or other conditions or requires maintenance or repair or other reason for closure. When reasonably practicable, 24 hours' advance notice of the closing will be provided via the municipal website or by posting at said park or facility location or by such other means deemed appropriate by the Municipality.

§ 225-3 Permits.

Any group or visitor desiring exclusive use of a park or portion of a park, or who by virtue of the large size of the group might diminish the opportunity for the full enjoyment of the park or portion of the park by others, must apply to the Municipality for a permit.

§ 225-4 Fees.

The Municipality shall establish a fee for park permits and other activities which shall be established by resolution of Municipal Council.

§ 225-5 Violations and penalties.

Any person violating any provision herein shall be guilty of a summary offense and upon conviction thereof shall be liable for a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $300 or, in default thereof, to imprisonment for not more than five days.

Article II Noise from Music Devices

[Adopted 6-17-2008 by Ord. No. 08-09]

§ 225-6 Allowable devices; noise limits; sound amplification.

A. With the exception of Municipal-sponsored concert events, the only music-playing devices which shall be allowed in Municipal parks shall be common, personal-sized radios, compact disc players or other devices designed for the enjoyment of individuals or small groups.

B. Music devices shall not be so loud as to be heard beyond a thirty-foot radius: nor shall they create excessive bass vibration so as to disturb park users or residents adjacent to the park.

C. No music equipment designed for amplification across a large area, including large speaker systems commonly used to amplify music in large group or concert settings, shall be permitted.