City of Pine Lawn, MO Parks and Playgrounds

[Ord. No. 788 §1, 6-10-1996]

Definitions. For the purpose of this Chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words in the plural include the singular number and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.

CITY

The City of Pine Lawn, Missouri.

DIRECTOR

A person immediately in charge of any park area and its activities and to whom all park attendants of such are responsible.

PARK

A park, reservation, playground, beach recreation center or any other area in the City owned or used by the City and devoted to active or passive recreation.

PERSON

Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of any kind.

VEHICLE

Any wheeled conveyance, whether motor powered, animal-drawn or self-propelled. The term shall include any trailer in tow of any size, kind or description. Exception is made for baby carriages and vehicles in the service of the City parks.

Regulations. No person in a park shall:

Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any building, bridges, tables, benches, fireplaces, railings, paving or paving material, water lines 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.

Fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washroom in a neat and sanitary condition. No person over the age of seven (7) years shall use the rest rooms and washrooms designed for the opposite sex.

Dig or remove any sand, soil, rock, stones, trees, shrubs or plants, down timber or other wood or materials or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.

Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary in character, or run or string any public utility into, upon or across such lands, except on special written permit issued hereunder.

Damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark or pick the flowers or seeds of any tree or plant. Nor shall any person attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant. A person shall not dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.

Climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railing, fences or gun carriages or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.

Tie or hitch a horse or other animal to any tree or plant.

Hunt, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, chase, tease, shoot or throw missiles at any animals, reptile or bird; remove or have in possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest or young of an reptile or bird; collect, remove, have in possession, give away, sell or offer to sell or buy or offer to buy or accept as a gift any specimen alive or dead of any of the group of tree snails. Exception to the foregoing is made in that snakes known to be deadly poisonous, such as rattlesnakes, moccasins, coral snakes, copperheads or other deadly reptiles.

Give or offer or attempt to give to any animal or bird any tobacco, alcohol or other known noxious substances.

10.

Throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, bay or other body of water in or adjacent to any park or any tributary, stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such waters any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said waters.

11.

Dump, 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 park or left anywhere on the grounds thereof but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided; where receptacles are not so 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.

12.

Fail to comply with all applicable provisions of the State motor vehicle traffic laws in regard to equipment and operation of vehicles together with such regulations as are contained in this Code.

13.

Fail to obey all traffic officers and park employees, such persons being hereby authorized and instructed to direct traffic whenever and wherever needed in the parks and on the highways, streets or roads immediately adjacent thereto in accordance with the provisions of these regulations and such supplementary regulations as may be issued subsequently by the Director.

14.

Fail to observe carefully all traffic signs indicating speed, direction, caution, stopping or parking and all others posted for proper control and to safeguard life and property.

15.

Ride or drive a vehicle at a rate of speed exceeding fifteen (15) miles an hour.

16.

Drive any vehicle on any area except the paved park roads or parking areas or such other areas as may on occasion be specifically designated as temporary parking areas by the Director.

17.

Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area and such use shall be in accordance with the posted directions thereat and with the instructions of any attendant who may be present.

18.

Fail to immediately notify an attendant of an emergency in the nature of a breakdown requiring the assistance of a tow truck, mechanic or other person.

19.

Double-park any vehicle on any road or parkway unless directed by a park official.

20.

Fail to use a muffler adequate to deaden the sound of the engine in a motor vehicle.

21.

Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose. Attendants shall have the authority to regulate the activities in such areas when necessary to prevent congestion and to secure the maximum use for the comfort and convenience of all. Visitors shall comply with any directions given to achieve this end.

22.

Use any tables, barbecue pits or shelters without first having obtained a permit from the Director.

23.

Leave a picnic area before the fire is completely extinguished and before all trash in the nature of boxes, papers, cans, bottles, garbage and other refuse is placed in the disposal receptacles where provided. If no such trash receptacles are available, then refuse and trash shall be carried away from the park area by the picnicker to be properly disposed of elsewhere.

24.

Take part in or abet the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects such as balls, stones, arrows, javelin or model airplanes except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation. The playing of rough or dangerous games such as football, baseball and quoits is prohibited except on the fields and courts or areas provided therefor. Roller skating shall be confined to those areas specifically designated.

25.

Only at certain specifically designated recreation centers where meals or lunches are served under concession privileges will the sale of alcoholic beverages by such concessionaire be permitted under the strict regulation and control of the Director. Sales of alcoholic beverages shall be made only in individual drinks (not in original packages or otherwise in bulk) and shall be only served for consumption on the immediate premises of the concession.

26.

Have entered or be under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

27.

Bring or have in his/her possession or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn any firecrackers, torpedo, rocket or other fireworks or explosives of inflammable material or discharge them or throw them onto any such area from land or highway adjacent thereto. This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture or article that in conduction with any other substance or compound would be dangerous from any or the foregoing standpoints.

28.

Allow the entry of a dog or other domestic animal into areas other than automobile parking concourses and walks immediately adjacent thereto and in such other areas as may be clearly marked by signs bearing the words "Domestic Animals Permitted In This Area". Nothing herein shall be construed as permitting the running of dogs at large. All dogs in those areas where such animals are permitted shall be restrained at all times on adequate leashes not greater than ten (10) feet in length.

29.

Occupy any seat or bench or enter into or loiter or remain in any pavilion or other park structure or section thereof which may be reserved and designated for the use of the opposite sex. Exception is made for children under seven (7) years of age.

30.

Appear at any place in other than proper clothing as specified by the Director.

31.

Solicit alms or contributions for any purpose, whether public or private, without a permit.

32.

Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Director. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other inflammable material within any park area or on any highway, road or street abutting or contiguous thereto.

33.

Enter an area posted as "Closed to the Public" nor shall any person use or abet the use of any area in violation of posted notices.

34.

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 a breach of the public peace.

35.

Fail to produce and exhibit any permit from the Director he/she claims to have upon request of any authorized person who shall desire to inspect the same for the purpose of enforcing compliance with any ordinance or rule.

36.

Disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person or party occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.

37.

Disturb the peace by noisy, riotous or disorderly conduct in any park, public building, street, sidewalk, alley, highway, parking lot, thoroughfare, public place or public resort or use indecent, lewd or profane language or purchase or otherwise obtain any beer, wine or spirituous or malt liquors and drink the same in any park, public building, street, sidewalk, alley, highway, parking lot, thoroughfare or other public place. Provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as to prohibit the consumption of malt or alcoholic beverages by working persons during mealtime near their assigned work areas or by delivery persons during mealtime or by picnic groups in public parks, providing that the person or persons consuming such beverages are not noisy, riotous or disorderly in any manner.

38.

Expose or offer for sale any article or thing nor shall he/she station or place any stand, cart or vehicle for the transportation, sale or display of any such article or thing. Exception is here made as to any regularly licensed concessionaire acting by and under the authority and regulation of the Director.

39.

Announce, advertise or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire.

40.

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.

Park Operating Policy.

Hours. Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the residents of the City every day of the year during designated hours. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall be posted therein for public information.

Closed areas. Any section or part of any park may be declared closed to the public by the Director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals (daily or otherwise) and either entirely or merely to certain uses, as the Director shall find reasonably necessary.

Lost and found articles. The finding of lost articles by park attendants shall be reported to the Director who shall make every reasonable effort to locate the owners. The Director shall make every reasonable effort to find articles reported as lost.

Permit. A permit shall be obtained from the appropriate Director before participating in park activity. The applicant shall specify on appropriate forms:

The name and address of the applicant;

The name and address of the person, persons, corporation or association sponsoring the activity, if any;

The day and hours for which the permit is desired;

The park or portion thereof for which such permit is desired;

An estimate of the anticipated attendance;

Any other information which the Director shall find reasonably necessary to a fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued hereunder.

Standards for issuance. The Director shall issue a permit hereunder when he/she finds:

The proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park;

The proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation;

The proposed activity will not entail unusual extraordinary or burdensome expense or Police operation by the City;

The proposed activity or use is not reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct;

The facilities desired have not been reserved for other use at the day and hour required in the application.

Appeal. Within ten (10) days after receipt of an application, the Director shall apprise an applicant in writing of his/her reasons for refusing a permit and any aggrieved person shall have the right to appeal in writing within ten (10) days to the Board of Aldermen which shall consider the application under the standards set forth in Subsection (B) hereof and sustain or overrule the Director's decision within five (5) days. The decision of the Board shall be final.

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.

The person or persons to whom a permit is issued shall be liable for any 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 Director shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of violation of any rule or ordinance or upon good cause shown.

Enforcement.

The Director and all park attendants shall, in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this Chapter.

The Director and any park attendant shall have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation of this Chapter.

The Director and any park attendant shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing or device in the park or used in violation of this Chapter.