This article shall be known as the "Recreation Ordinance" for
the Town of Salem, New Hampshire.
The purpose of this article shall be to preserve the public
peace and good order on lands operated as public parks by the Town
of Salem and to contribute to the safety and enjoyment of the users
of such park land by regulating the hours of use and the use of motorized
vehicles and by prohibiting certain activities inimical to customary
park recreation use.
The Department of Recreation and/or the Department of Public
Works, Division of Parks and Property, of the Town of Salem is charged
with the administration of this article and the posting of signs designating
park lands within the Town of Salem. The rules and regulations set
forth herein shall apply to and be in effect in all parks, athletic
fields, and other recreation areas under the control, supervision
and jurisdiction of the Department of Recreation of the Town of Salem.
For the purpose of this article, terms used herein are defined
as follows:
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Department of Recreation of the Town
of Salem or his/her duly authorized agents.
LIQUOR
Shall have the meaning as defined in RSA 175:1
PARKS
The grounds, buildings thereon, waters therein and any other
property necessary for the operation thereof and constituting a part
thereof which are now or hereafter maintained, operated and controlled
by the Town of Salem for public recreation purposes. Such areas shall
include but not be limited to athletic fields, playgrounds, neighborhood
parks, community parks, beaches, skateboard park and other areas used
for recreation purposes.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation or association
of persons, and the singular number shall include the plural.
RECREATIONAL WATERWAY
Any area where water exists, whether in a park or not, designated
by the Director for recreation use.
SKATING AREA
Any pond, flooded area, designated portion of a lake or other
area, whether in a park or not, designated by the Director as an area
where skating is allowed.
SWIMMING AREA
Any water area, beach or pool, whether in a park or not,
designated by the Director as an area where public swimming is allowed.
VEHICLE
Every device in, upon or by which a person or property is
or may be transported. "Vehicle" shall include but not be limited
to automobiles, motorcycles, minibikes, bicycles, snowmobiles, mopeds,
trucks, jeeps, trail bikes, scooters, segways, all-terrain vehicles
(ATVs) and skateboards. This definition does not include devices needed
to assist disabled persons.
No person shall be permitted to remain, stop, park or be within
the confines of any park between the hours of sunrise and sunset,
except in emergency cases, as otherwise posted or with a special permit
from the Director. In case of any emergency or when, in the judgment
of the Director, the public interest demands it, any portion of a
park may be closed to the public until permission is given to reopen.
For safety, fire protection and sanitation, smoking is permitted
only in designated smoking areas at the parks. The designated smoking
areas are identified by posted signs.
Overnight camping is prohibited except by a permit issued by
the Director.
Metal detectors and similar devices may not be used in any park
or on Town property unless authorized by the Town Manager.
Children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by an
adult (18 years of age or older) except when the child is participating
in a supervised Recreation Department program.
No glass containers shall be taken into or used in any part
of any park, including sports facilities and beaches. Only metal,
paper or plastic containers are allowed.
No person shall throw, cast, catch, kick, play with or strike
any game ball whatsoever or engage in any sport, game or competition
except in places and during the times designated therefor. No person
shall engage in or play any game or sport which is different from
the one for which the designated area was created, except in such
areas as are officially set aside for diversified games.
Persons using the park do so at their own risk and must observe
any rules, regulations or requests of the attendant on duty for a
particular area.
In order to provide the equitable use of park facilities, preserve
park areas and facilities and protect the safety of users of the parks
and their facilities, the Recreation Director shall have the following
authority, the enumeration of which shall not restrict the general
authority and control of the Recreation Director over parks:
A. To fix times. To fix times when the parks or parts thereof shall
be open to public use.
B. Restrict use. To designate parks, sports facilities and parts thereof
as restricted to the use of certain portions of the public at certain
times as the Director or designee sees fit.
C. To issue permits. Under uniform conditions to be prescribed by the
Director, to issue permits for regulated use as hereinbefore enumerated.
D. To fix, charge and collect fees. To fix, charge and collect such
fees and deposits for the use of park areas or facilities or privileges
as the Director deems advisable to help defray the expense of the
parks and their facilities. Said fees and charges shall be reviewed
and approved by the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen prior
to implementation.
E. To enforce this article. To issue notice of violation and/or complaint
summons to court for infraction of this article.