Township of Marlborough, PA Park Rules and Regulations

The Township may, from time to time, by resolution, adopt a schedule of fees and charges for use of the parks. The schedule of fees may also require posting of a security deposit and/or proof of insurance to guarantee that the parks are left in a good and orderly condition. Copies of the fee schedule are available at the Township Municipal Building.

The sponsors of any gatherings which require police, maintenance, or other personnel and/or equipment shall be responsible for all associated costs as determined by the Township.

(3)

Alcohol and drugs. It shall be unlawful for any person in a park to drink or possess any controlled substance or alcoholic beverage, including beer or other malt beverages. Being under the influence of or in the possession of a controlled substance or alcohol as defined by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the United States of America is prohibited in Township parks.

(4)

Personal conduct. No person shall conduct himself/herself in any violent, excessively loud, boisterous, abusive, immoral, indecent, or threatening manner; use indecent or profane language; or engage in any disorderly actions tending to create a breach of the peace, or disturbing or annoying others while in any park.

(5)

Smoking and litter.

Litter shall be discarded only in receptacles provided for that purpose. Where receptacles are not provided, all litter shall be removed from the park by the person responsible for its presence and shall be properly disposed of elsewhere. No litter shall be brought in from outside and disposed of on park property.

No person shall throw, discharge, or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any creek, pond, lake, or stream in any park, or in any tributary, storm sewer, or drain flowing into a park, any substance, matter, or thing, liquid or solid, which may result in the pollution of those waters.

(6)

Vandalism, destruction of property and pollution. No person shall willfully mark, injure, deface, tamper with, displace, remove, or destroy any building, table, bench, fireplace, railing, paving, waterline, structure, amenity, fixture, equipment, fence, monument, stake, post, notice, or sign within the park. Cutting, mutilating, or removing crops, trees, shrubs, and/or flowers are prohibited.

(7)

Plants and wildlife. No person shall annoy, injure, kill, or otherwise disturb any birds or other animals in a park, or disturb any fish or waterfowl in creeks, streams, pools, ponds, or other water ways; or disturb, remove, or carry away any animal, animal habitat, bird's nest, or egg. Feeding or harassing wildlife is prohibited. Releasing or abandoning wild or domestic animals is strictly prohibited within a park. Introduction of nonnative species, animal or vegetable, is prohibited.

(8)

Vehicle operation.

Individual use.

It shall be unlawful for any person to park a vehicle in any park, unless such person is a park patron who is using the park for park purposes during park hours. No person shall park any vehicle in any portion of a park except in spaces or areas set aside and marked for parking purposes, and no person shall occupy a parked vehicle after dark except with the interior lights turned on. Operating any vehicle on a park road or parking lot in a reckless or negligent manner or causing a nuisance or danger to other park patrons is prohibited. Operating a motorcycle, minibike, snowmobile, or other similar motorized recreational vehicle anywhere in parks is prohibited. ATV use is prohibited. No person shall enter or leave a park except by designated entrances or exits.

Except for authorized farm vehicles, Township vehicles, and maintenance equipment, no vehicles shall be operated, stopped, or parked anywhere but designated roadways or parking areas during open hours.

[3]

No vehicle shall be left in any park after closing without special written permission from the Township. The Township shall be under no obligation to reopen a closed park or any closed parking lot, road, or gate locked after closing hours in order to allow removal of a vehicle.

[4]

Cleaning, greasing, lubricating, or repairs to any vehicle except those of a minor nature in an emergency are prohibited in a park.

[5]

All persons shall at all times heed and comply with the directions of Township police officers or other persons authorized by the Township, and shall comply with directions on traffic and other informational signs. Directions on such traffic signs may be disregarded only as directed by a police officer or other person authorized by the Township.

Club or organization event use.

A park use permit is required for use of a park for a road event such as rallies or races.

Organizations using a park for permitted road events such as rallies or races shall obey all local traffic laws and noise ordinances and will be held responsible for the conduct of their staff and participants. Local residents, park patrons and neighbors of a park are to be treated with respect and courtesy. Ingress and egress to parking areas by park patrons shall not be impeded by any event or event participant.

[3]

The landing of any plane or other flying vehicle other than in an emergency is strictly prohibited in a park. Launching of any privately owned manned aircraft is strictly prohibited in a park.

(9)

Prohibited activities.

Posting of any signs or posters is prohibited in a park.

Golfing, archery, crossbows, paintballs, and blowguns are prohibited, as well as any device that hurls or propels a projectile that has the potential to cause harm or damage to any person, animal, vegetation, structure, or other objects within the park.

Gambling is prohibited in parks.

(d)

Unless authorized in writing by the Township, no person or group shall set up any booth, table, or structure within a park for the purposes of solicitation, fund-raising, profit-making, or commercial activities.

(e)

Trapping, hunting, fishing, shooting and boating.

Trapping, hunting, ice fishing, and target shooting are prohibited. The Township may permit hunting periodically for wildlife management purposes only. The number and cost of the hunting permits and length of hunting time will be at the discretion of the Township. Permits will be made available at the Township office and must be carried during hunting. A permit must be surrendered to an authorized Township or State Fish and Game Commission officer upon request. Other state and local regulations may apply.

Fishing and boating at Skymount Park are allowed by permit only. Permits are available at the Township office and must be carried by the fisherman or boater. A permit must be surrendered to an authorized Township police officer or State Fish and Game Commission officer upon request. Night fishing in trout-stocked streams is permitted in season.

(f)

The discharge or possession of any rocket, firecracker, or other fireworks or any explosive device or substance within a park is prohibited. The use of javelins, arrows, discuses, or similar athletic equipment dangerous in character is prohibited.

[Amended 9-9-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-08]

(g)

Fires.

No person shall light or permit a fire to burn in a park except in fireplaces or other areas designated by the Township for such purpose.

Grills and cooking fires shall be allowed only in designated areas in marked facilities provided by the Township. Campfires shall be allowed only by permit issued by the Township for special events.

(h)

Camping is prohibited in parks, except by special permission granted by the Township in writing. All requests for permission to camp in a park must be submitted in writing to the Township.

(i)

Swimming is prohibited in Township lakes, ponds, creeks, and streams.

(j)

Ice skating is prohibited on Township lakes, ponds, creeks, and streams. Ice skating is permitted on designated rinks only.

(10)

Pets and domestic animals.

Horses are permitted on designated trails only.

Dogs are permitted in parks but must be kept on leashes no longer than eight feet and under control at all times. The owner or person in charge of any dog which defecates in a park shall immediately properly wrap, package, or protect said feces so as to prevent unsightly disposal or smell or interference with the public health and welfare; and shall remove and deposit the feces in a public waste receptacle or in a garbage receptacle. Dogs are restricted from any playing field and other areas specifically designated by the Township.

It is unlawful to leave a pet in an unoccupied vehicle.

(11)

Horse-drawn and unlicensed motor vehicles. No unlicensed vehicles are permitted in the park system. Horse-drawn vehicles are permitted in designated areas only.

(12)

Bicycles, rollerblades, and skateboards. Bicycles, rollerblades, and skateboards are permitted in designated areas and trails only.

(13)

Rest rooms and washrooms. No person in a park shall fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition. No person over the age of five years shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.

(14)

Additional regulations.

Parks and the facilities and/or structures therein which become hazardous for public use due to weather, water, fire, or unforeseeable conditions may be closed upon recommendation of the Public Works Department or Police Department of the Township.

Playing fields are to be used for their intended purpose. A permit holder may not transfer, set-over, or permit any other individual and/or users to make use of the rights and privileges afforded to the permit holder as a result of the issuance of the permit by the Township.

No portable lights shall be utilized in a park.

(15)

Group use of parks.

Use of a park by organized groups or other groups of 10 persons or more shall be scheduled in advance at the Township office by obtaining a park use permit. All applications for a park use permit shall be made on official forms supplied by the Township and shall be accompanied by the required fees and attachments when applicable. No other forms shall be accepted. Applications are available in the Marlborough Township Municipal Building and on the Township website at www.marlboroughpa.org.

At the discretion of the Township, proof of insurance listing Marlborough Township as an additional insured shall be supplied with the park use permit application. Park use permits must be available for inspection by any Township employee or representative at all times during park occupancy.

It is the policy of Marlborough Township to make facilities first available to groups and organizations comprising Township residents, or with the greatest percentage of Township residents.

(d)

All athletic or other teams applying for a park use permit must submit a proposed schedule of games, tournaments, and/or practice time with their applications.

(e)

An applicant must be at least 18 years old. Persons or organizations to whom a park use permit is issued will be held responsible for the actions and conduct of all those associated with the permitted use. The Township has the right to supersede all or any of the rules and regulations set forth herein in conjunction with any Township-sponsored event, maintenance activity, or emergency situation.

(16)

Group use regulations.

Sand volleyball courts. At peak times when others may be waiting, consideration should be given and playing time limited. A court can be reserved for group functions by obtaining a park use permit available at the Township office.

Rest rooms and playgrounds. Rest rooms and playground equipment cannot be reserved. These are to be open to the public and available to all. Persons or groups that have been issued a park use permit may not prevent other park patrons from using the park facilities.