[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of
Athens 11-22-2004 as Title 12,
Ch. 1, of the 2004 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Trees and shrubs — See Ch. 410.
A.
Purpose and definition. In order to protect the parks, parkways,
recreational facilities and conservancy areas within the Village of
Athens from injury, damage or desecration, these regulations are enacted.
The term "park" as hereinafter used in this chapter shall include
all grounds, structures and watercourses which are or may be located
within any area dedicated to the public use as a park, parkway, recreation
facility, playground, Village forest, swimming pool or conservancy
area in the Village.
B.
Specific regulations.
(1)
Littering prohibited. No person shall litter, dump or deposit any
rubbish, refuse, earth or other material in any park.
(2)
Sound devices. No person shall operate or play any amplifying system
unless specific authority is first obtained from the Village Board.
(3)
Bill posting. No person shall post, paste, fasten, paint or attach
any placard, bill, notice, sign or advertising matter upon any structure,
tree or other natural object in any park, except park regulations
and other signs authorized by the Village Board.
(4)
Throwing stones and missiles prohibited. Except at authorized archery
ranges or when prior permission has been given by the Chief of Police,
no person shall throw stones or other missiles which may cause harm
in or into any park.
(6)
Trapping. "Trapping" when used in this subsection includes the taking,
or the attempting to take, of any wild animal by means of setting
or operating any device, mechanism or contraption that is designated,
built or made to close upon, hold fast or otherwise capture a wild
animal or animals; live traps on a person's property are excluded.
The trapping of wild animals is hereby prohibited in Village parks,
except as authorized by the Village Board.
(7)
Making of fires. No person shall start, tend or maintain a fire except
in personal grills or designated fireplaces. Personal grills shall
be used only in designated picnic areas. The use of personal grills
is permitted, provided that lawns and vegetation are not endangered.
Unburned fuel and ashes shall be disposed of in such a manner as to
prevent fire or damage to any park property. Control of the fire and
the smoke will be the responsibility of the person using such a fire.
(8)
Protection of park property.
(a)
No person shall kill, injure or disturb or attempt to injure
or disturb waterfowl, birds or animals, wild or domestic, within any
park, except as permitted by this chapter. No person shall climb any
tree or remove flowers or fruit, wild or cultivated, or break, cut
down, trample upon, remove or in any manner injure, deface, write
upon or ill use any tree, shrub, flower, flowerbed, turf, soil, sand,
fountain, ornament, building, structure, apparatus, bench, table,
official notice, sign or other property within any park.
(b)
No person shall deface by throwing stones, pebbles or other
debris in any of the toilets, bubblers or other sanitary facilities
located in any Village park; or deface by drawing with crayon, chalk,
paint, or anything else on any of the buildings or equipment at any
Village park; or deface the equipment by means of a sharp instrument.
No person shall operate a vehicle in a manner that would damage park
lawns or landscaping.
(9)
Motorized vehicles. Except for authorized maintenance vehicles, no
person shall operate an unlicensed or licensed motorized vehicle outside
of areas specifically designated as parking areas or areas where the
operation of such vehicles is specifically permitted. Motor vehicles
are restricted to the roads and drives and parking areas. No motor
vehicles of any nature may be used on the seeded areas except vehicles
which have Village Board authorization for shows, rides or exhibits
and then only for the purpose of loading and unloading. No vehicle
maintenance is permitted in any Village park.
(10)
Snowmobiles. No person shall operate a snowmobile in a Village
park except in designated areas. Snowmobiles shall only be operated
on designated trails.
(11)
Speed limit. No person shall operate any vehicle in a Village
park in excess of 15 miles per hour unless otherwise posted.
(12)
Glass beverage bottles in parks prohibited. No individual shall
possess or consume any beverage in a glass bottle or glass container
in any Village park.
(13)
Reckless driving in parks prohibited. No person shall operate
a motor vehicle in a reckless manner in any of the public parks of
the Village.
(14)
Parking in parks. No person shall park any motor vehicle in
any park in the Village except in a designated parking area.
(15)
Horse and carriages. No person shall ride a horse or drive a
horse-driven vehicle in any park, except when approval of the Village
Board is first obtained. When Village Board approval has been obtained:[2]
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a horse or drive a horse-driven
vehicle in a careless, negligent or reckless manner which may endanger
the safety and well-being of others.
(b)
Horseback riding shall be allowed only during the daylight hours.
(c)
No person shall ride a horse which cannot be held under such control
that it may be easily turned or stopped.
(d)
Horses shall not be left unbridled or unattended.
(16)
Removing tree protectors. No person shall remove any device
for the protection of trees or shrubs.
(17)
Golfing and sporting activities. No golfing or practicing golf
in Village parks or recreation areas shall be allowed except with
the use of a whiffle ball. All sporting activities must be held in
areas so designated for that purpose.
(18)
Arrows. No person shall use or shoot any bow and arrow in any
Village park, except in authorized areas.
(19)
Fees and charges. The Village Board shall establish such fees
as deemed necessary for use of any park facility, shelter or land
area. It shall be unlawful to use such areas without payment of such
fee or charge when required.
(20)
Firearms, explosives and weapons. Possessing or discharging of any air gun, slingshot, explosive, firearm or weapon of any kind is prohibited in all Village parks, except as authorized in § 335-3.
(21)
Fish cleaning. Cleaning of fish in shelters, toilet facilities
or picnic areas is prohibited in all Village parks.
(23)
Vendors restricted. No person shall sell, vend or give away
any article of merchandise whatever without authorization from the
Village Board. No person shall peddle or solicit business or operate
concessions or stands in any Village park without authorization of
the Village Board.
(25)
Pets. Dogs and any other pets must be kept on a leash or under
control at all times; pet owners are responsible for cleanup of pet
waste.
(26)
Bicycles. No bicycles are permitted in any building whether
ridden or parked there for any reason.
(27)
Misuse of equipment. Jumping, standing or misuse will not be
permitted on any bench, bleachers or picnic tables; any misuse or
use with intent to do damage will be considered vandalism and may
result in dismissal from the park.
(28)
Loitering on equipment preventing use. No loitering is permitted
on playground equipment so as to disrupt use by persons waiting to
use such equipment.
(29)
Responsibility for equipment damage. Any person or persons causing
any damage to property in the Village park shall be punished and/or
fined under the appropriate ordinance and be required to make full
and complete restitution.
(30)
Camping. Camping is prohibited in Village parks, except in designated
areas.
(31)
Satellite toilets; dumpsters. It will be the obligation of civic
organizations or other major park users to provide satellite toilets
and extra garbage dumpsters during the time of celebrations or special
events.
(32)
Waste disposal restrictions. No person shall dispose of any
garbage, bottles, tin cans or any other solid waste material, including
demolition material, in any Village park where the waste is generated
from outside of the Village park property.
(33)
Bicycle, skateboard and roller blade restrictions. No person
shall ride a bicycle or skateboard or roller blade in a reckless manner
or ride in and around any bleacher area or shelter house areas. All
bicycles will be placed in bicycle racks when unattended.
It shall be unlawful for any person to fly, operate or make
use of any airborne remote- or radio-controlled model airplane, helicopter,
vehicle or any other such device in, over or upon any street, park
or other public or private property except in areas specifically designated
and posted for such purpose and with the consent of the property owner
or lessee of the property.
Except as authorized by the Village Board, no person shall dig
into the turf of any Village-owned park or recreational property for
any purposes whatsoever or remove any trees or flowers. Absent authorization
by the Village Board, the use of metal detectors and digging for buried
objects on Village parks or recreational property are prohibited.
A.
Park hours designated. Unless a person is engaged in authorized camping,
no person or persons shall enter into or pass through Village park
areas between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. daily, except
on those occasions when permission has been granted by the Village
Board for organized activities such as athletic events and/or holiday
celebrations, and except for snowmobiles on approved trails.[1]
B.
Exceptions for organized activities. Subsection A shall not apply to any persons participating in any organized activity in a Village park which was authorized by the Village Board. This exception shall apply during the time such activity is in progress at a Village park and for 30 minutes after the termination of such activity.
A.
Definition. An ultralight aircraft, vehicle or hang glider is an
unpowered or powered aircraft which is not subject to extensive regulation
by the Federal Aviation Administration by virtue of its characteristics
and which is defined as an ultralight vehicle by 14 CFR 103.1 and
which is defined as an ultralight aircraft by § 114.195,
Wis. Stats.
B.
Regulations regarding use. No person shall operate any ultralight
aircraft within the Village in such a manner or in such a location
as to endanger or injure any person or property. No person shall operate
an ultralight aircraft in the Village in violation of any applicable
state and federal regulations and standards. No person shall cause
an ultralight aircraft to land or to take off from any property without
permission of the owner or occupant of said property, provided that
an emergency landing may be made to prevent a catastrophe. In the
case of landing or taking off from a Village public park or other
public property, the operator of such ultralight aircraft shall first
obtain a permit from the Village Board. No fee shall be charged by
the Village Board for such permit, which may be issued for a period
up to 30 days, nor shall the Village Board sponsor such activity.
A.
Policy on reservation. The Village-owned parks, park facilities,
gazebo and shelter areas are primarily for the nonexclusive use of
the residents and visitors of the Village. However, under proper circumstances,
exclusive use of the same or parts thereof may be permitted. This
section is intended to regulate exclusive use of municipally owned
parks, park facilities, park shelters or parts thereof in the Village
to the end that the general welfare of the Village is protected. A
fee shall be required pursuant to the Village Fee Schedule.
B.
Reservation of park space. A person or group, firm, organization,
partnership or corporation may reserve the use of a park facility,
park shelter or gazebo by written application filed with the Village
Clerk for a permit for exclusive use of the same. The Village Clerk
shall issue permits for exclusive use of a portion of a park or park
shelter, while the Village Board shall issue permits for the exclusive
use of Village parks. Park facilities are reserved on a first-requested,
first-reserved basis.
C.
Application. Applications shall be filed with the Village Clerk and
set forth the following information regarding the proposed exclusive
use:[1]
(1)
The name, address and telephone number of the applicant.
(2)
If the exclusive use is proposed for a group, firm, organization,
partnership or corporation, the name, address and telephone number
of the headquarters of the same and the responsible and authorized
heads or partners of the same.
(3)
The name, address and telephone number of the person who will be
responsible for the use of said park, area or facility.
(4)
The date when the exclusive use is requested and the hours of the
proposed exclusive date.
(5)
The anticipated number of persons to use said park, area or facility.
D.
Action on application. The Village Board or appropriate committee
thereof shall act promptly on all applications for permits for exclusive
park use (not shelter use) after consulting with the applicant, if
necessary.
E.
Reasons for denial. Application may be denied for any of the following
reasons:[3]
(1)
If it is for a use which would involve a violation of federal or
state law or any provision of this Code.
(2)
If the granting of the permit would conflict with another permit
already granted or for which application is already pending.
(4)
If it is for a use of the park or park facility at a date and time
when, in addition to the proposed use, anticipated nonexclusive use
by others of the park or park facility is expected and would be seriously
adversely affected.
(5)
If the law enforcement requirements of the exclusive use will require
so large a number of persons as to prevent adequate law enforcement
to the park, park facility or shelter area involved or to the rest
of the Village.
(6)
The exclusive use will reasonably create a substantial risk of injury
to persons or damage to property.
(7)
The exclusive use is so poorly organized that participants are likely
to engage in aggressive or destructive activity.
F.
Indemnification. Prior to granting any permit for exclusive use of
the park, the Village may require the permittee to file evidence of
good and sufficient sureties, insurance in force or other evidence
of adequate financial responsibility, running to the Village and such
other third parties as may be injured or damaged, in an amount depending
upon the likelihood of injury or damage as a direct and proximate
result of the exclusive use sufficient to indemnify the Village and
such third parties as may be injured or damaged thereby, caused by
the permittee, its agents or participants.
G.
Permit not required for Village activity. A permit is not required
for exclusive use of the park or a park facility sponsored by the
Village.
H.
Permit revocation. The Village Board and/or Chief of Police may revoke
a permit already issued if it is deemed that such action is justified
by an actual or potential emergency due to weather, fire, riot, other
catastrophe or likelihood of a breach of the peace or by a major change
in the conditions forming the basis of the issuance of the permit.
I.
Form of permit. Each permit shall be in a form prescribed by the
Village Board and shall designate the park, park facility or shelter
area involved, date, hours of the exclusive use, purpose of the exclusive
use and the name of the person, group, firm, organization, partnership
or corporation to which the permit is issued.
J.
Class "B" fermented malt beverage licenses. When fermented malt beverages are sold at any event authorized by this section, a valid fermented malt beverage license shall be obtained and the provisions of § 161-16 and Article II of Chapter 161, Alcohol Beverages, of this Code shall be fully complied with. Said license must be held by the person who filed the application for a permit and shall be presented to any law enforcement officer upon request.
[Amended 1-23-2017]
A.
Time prohibited. No person shall enter the swimming area of the Village
of Athens lying contiguous to Black Creek between the hours of 10:00
p.m. and 7:00 a.m. from January to December, inclusive.
B.
Prohibited area defined. The swimming area of the Village of Athens
is defined as that parcel of land lying south and west of Black Creek;
west of the dam on Black Creek; north of Jim Braun's Addition
to the Village of Athens extended west to the west line of the NE
1/4 of SE 1/4 of Section 36, Township 30 North, Range 3 East; and
east of the west line of said forty extended north to the south line
of Black Creek.
C.
Placement of picnic tables. No person shall place Village-owned picnic
tables in the swimming area.
[Added 5-20-2013]
[Added 5-20-2013]
A.
Shooting hours. With the exception of archery which is allowed from
dawn to dusk, the shooting hours for the Village of Athens sporting
range shall be as follows:
B.
Range rules. Persons may shoot at paper targets only. All targets
must be affixed to snow fence. All garbage, casings and targets must
be removed and disposed of properly. No clay pigeons are allowed to
be used. Consumption of alcohol is not allowed except when authorized
by the Village Board. No exploding targets are allowed to be used.
Persons must shoot from under shelter.
[Amended 1-23-2017]
