[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of
the Town of Griswold as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Meetings — See Ch. 56.
[Adopted 9-9-1996 STM]
[Added 3-26-2013 STM[1]]
A.
There
shall be three alternate members in addition to the seven regular
members of the Recreation Commission of the Town of Griswold. The
Board of Selectmen must appoint all members for the following terms
of office.
B.
Such alternate
members shall have all of the powers of regular Commission members
when properly seated.
Said Commission shall be empowered to establish,
maintain and regulate parks, playgrounds, baths, swimming pools, recreation
areas or places and public gardens, the location of which shall be
approved by the freemen of the Town of Griswold at a Special Town
Meeting called by the Board of Selectmen for that purpose.
Said Commission shall prepare and submit an
annual budget to the Board of Selectmen, which budget shall become
a part of the Selectmen's annual budget.
[Adopted 5-22-2003 STM, effective 6-10-2003]
The rules and regulations set forth herein shall
apply to and be in effect in all parks and areas under the control,
supervision and jurisdiction of the Town of Griswold.
For the purpose of this article, terms used
herein are defined as follows:
Any parkland or open space (including buildings and property
therein) owned by the Town of Griswold.
Any individual, firm, partnership, corporation or association
of persons, and the singular number shall include the plural.
The governing Town department for parks and recreation and
individuals appointed by the Department as its authorized agents.
Every device in, upon or by which a person or property is
or may be transported.
No person shall be permitted to remain, stop
or park within the confines of any park between the hours of 11:00
p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except in an emergency or with special written
permission from the Recreation Department. In emergency situations
or when the public interest demands it, any portion of a park may
be closed to the public or to designated persons until it is deemed
prudent to allow readmission. Nonobservance of this section shall
constitute a violation.
B.
Permits shall be issued by the Recreation Department.
C.
Permit applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
All applications for permits must be received by the Recreation Department
at least one week prior to the date of the intended use. The signer
of a permit shall be responsible for all damages to park facilities,
grounds or contents thereof and shall agree to indemnify the Town
of Griswold for such damage.
D.
All permits issued shall be in writing by the Recreation
Director and shall be subject to park rules and regulations. A permit
to do any act shall authorize the same only insofar as it may be performed
in strict accordance with the written terms and conditions thereof
and not in violation of any law, ordinance, rule or regulation governing
parks. Any violation of any term or condition thereof or any law,
ordinance, rule or regulation governing parks shall constitute grounds
for revocation of said permit by the Recreation Department, whose
action therein shall be final.
E.
No person shall fail to produce and exhibit any permit
which he claims to have upon request of the Recreation Department
or its authorized agent, who shall inspect the same for the purpose
of enforcing compliance with any ordinance or regulation. Failure
to produce any permit upon request will nullify existence of said
permit.
F.
The applicant shall pay any associated fees at the
time the permit is obtained. Such fees may vary according to the activity
permitted and the facilities used.
A.
Preservation of property and natural features. No
person shall injure, deface, disturb or befoul any part of a park
nor any building, signs, equipment or other property found therein;
nor shall any tree, flower, shrub, rock or other natural element be
removed, injured or destroyed.
B.
Horses. Horses are not allowed in any park except
by express written permission of the Recreation Department.
C.
Hunting, trapping and molesting wildlife. No person
within the confines of any park shall hunt, trap or otherwise molest
any animal or bird; nor shall any person remove, collect or have in
its possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest of
any bird unless express written permission is given by an authorized
agent of the Town of Griswold.
D.
Firearms. No person shall use, carry or possess firearms
of any kind or have air- or gas-powered guns, crossbow or bow, or
other missile-throwing devices or weapons of any kind within the confines
of any Townpark.
E.
Soliciting; unlawful sales. No person shall beg, hawk,
peddle or solicit within any park without written permission from
an authorized agent of the Town of Griswold.
F.
Special events. No individual or organization shall
conduct, sponsor or promote any special event or other public activity
in a park without prior authorization of the Recreation Director.
Events or activities which, in the opinion of the Director, constitute
hazards and dangers to the personal safety of the participants or
other park visitors; endanger peace and good order in the parks; interfere
with the regular and normal use of the facilities and activities by
park visitors; or are inconsistent with the use of the park for park
purposes will not be permitted.
G.
Noise. No person or persons shall disturb other park
users by causing excessive levels of noise.
H.
Littering, rubbish, garbage, sewage and noxious material.
Refuse is not to be dropped, thrown or scattered on park property.
All persons shall use restrooms as provided in the park and shall
cooperate in maintaining the restrooms in a neat and sanitary condition.
No person shall throw, discharge into, cast, drop or leave in any
river, brook, stream, pond, lake, public pool, or drain any substance,
matter or thing, either liquid or solid, which may or shall result
in the pollution of said river, brook, stream, pond, lake or public
pool. No person, shall bring into, leave behind or dump any material
of any kind into the park except the refuse, ashes, garbage and other
material of a picnic or other permitted activity, and such material
shall be deposited in receptacles provided for such purposes.
I.
Alcoholic beverages. The consumption or possession
of alcoholic liquors or beverages in a park is by special permit from
the Board of Selectman.
J.
Dogs, cats and other household pets. No person shall
bring into, permit, have or keep in the park any dog, cat, household
pet or other animal destructive to birds and other wildlife, except
that dogs or cats are permitted if held in control by a leash. All
persons bringing pets into the park are responsible for cleaning up
after them. No pets are permitted in any beach, swimming area, playing
field or playground.
K.
Swimming, swimming areas and beaches. No person shall
bathe, wade or swim within any park or swimming area, except at such
times and in such areas as designated by the Recreation Department
and as set forth by any rules adopted by the Recreation Department.
L.
Bicycles, snow vehicles, motorbikes and all-terrain
vehicles.
(1)
No person shall ride a bicycle or any other vehicle
upon the lawn, ballfields, playing courts or picnic areas of any park.
(2)
No motorized snow vehicles or all-terrain vehicles
shall be permitted in any areas of a park.
(3)
No unlicenced motorbikes or other unlicenced vehicles
shall be permitted in any area of a park.
(4)
Riders of bicycles shall comply with the rules for
the regulation of other vehicles.
(5)
Bicycles should be parked in places provided for such
purpose.
M.
Traffic.
(1)
No person shall drive any automobile, motorcycle,
motorized bike or other vehicle in any area of any park except on
the proper drives and parking areas or permit the same to stand upon
the drives or any part thereof so as to congest traffic or obstruct
the drive. Paths established as foot or bicycle paths shall not be
used for vehicular traffic.
(2)
No vehicle shall be operated on any road or drive
in any park at a speed exceeding 15 miles per hour unless otherwise
posted.
(3)
All stop signs and other traffic control devices must
be obeyed.
(4)
No person shall fail to obey all traffic officers
or Townemployees authorized and instructed to direct traffic in the
park.
(5)
No person shall park any vehicle or permit any vehicle
to remain standing on any roadway within the boundaries of a park
or parkway in excess of the length of time and between the hours as
hereinafter specified. No parking shall be allowed on any of the park
roads between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 ant Parking areas in
the parks are established for the convenience of patrons while using
the facilities of the parks. It shall be unlawful for any person to
park, stop or leave standing any vehicle in any parking area in any
park except during the time he/she remains in the park. The term "parking"
shall mean the standing of any vehicle, whether occupied or not, upon
any park road otherwise than temporarily or while actively engaged
in loading or unloading or while standing in obedience to traffic
signals or regulators. This does not apply to Town of Griswold vehicles.
(6)
No person shall operate a vehicle along or over any
road or drive within a park in a reckless manner or without due regard
for the safety and the rights of pedestrians and drivers and occupants
of all other vehicles, so as to endanger the life, limb or property
of any person while in the lawful use of said park drive or roads.
(7)
It shall be the duty of every person operating an
automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle of traffic or burden within
the parks or parkways to comply with the Vehicle and Traffic Law of
the State of Connecticut and with all orders, directions and regulations
issued by traffic officers or officially displayed on any post, standard,
sign or device installed for the regulation of traffic.
(8)
No person shall leave any motor vehicle, trailer or
other vehicle within any park after closing hours except in an emergency
and only after obtaining permission from the Director of Recreation
or his authorized agent. Any vehicle left within any park after closing
hours without permission shall be removed from the park at the owner's
expense.
(9)
Repairing or servicing of vehicles is prohibited within
a park except in an emergency and upon notification of the Recreation
Department.
N.
Advertising and signs. No person shall post or display
any sign, banner, advertisement, circular, notice or statement within
any park.
O.
Picnicking; cooking fires.
(1)
No person shall picnic or cook in any area not designated
for that purpose by the Recreation Department nor make or kindle any
fire except in places provided therefor. Each person must be sure
that any fire he/she started is completely out before leaving the
park.
(2)
No person shall move or carry tables or equipment
found within a park for park use to a different area of the park.
P.
Disorderly conduct.
(1)
No person shall disturb the peace and good order in
any park by fighting or disorderly conduct, use threatening, abusive,
indecent or obscene language or threaten violence to the person or
property of others.
(2)
No person shall congregate with others in a public
place and refuse to comply with a lawful order of the police or authorized
personnel to disperse and leave the park.
(3)
No person shall loiter in or near toilet buildings
or parking areas.
(4)
No person shall write, paint, carve or otherwise mark
or deface public property.
(5)
No person shall be in the park under the influence
of drugs or alcohol.
[Added 8-11-2015 STM]
A.
Findings and purpose.
(1)
The Griswold Board of Selectmen endorses the following:
(a)
The mission of the Town's Park and Recreation Department
is to provide recreational and leisure opportunities that enhance
the quality of life for the citizens of the Town of Griswold and to
provide safe environments. The Town's Park and Recreation Department
has an obligation to prohibit those activities which it deems contrary
to this mission.
(b)
The Town cares deeply about promoting the good health and quality
of life for its citizens and visitors.
(c)
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and
disease in the United States.
(d)
Secondhand smoke contains many harmful chemicals and cancer-causing
agents and is a serious health risk to humans, especially to infants,
children and pregnant women, and increases a nonsmoker's risk
for asthma, heart disease and lung cancer.
(e)
Chewing tobacco contains many harmful chemicals and cancer-causing
agents, and its use is associated with cancers of the mouth, gums,
tongue, and throat.
(f)
The use of chewing tobacco is associated with saliva or spit
being cast upon the ground, seating areas, and other surfaces in recreational
areas, resulting in increased risk of nonusers being exposed to bacteria
and viruses of a variety of respiratory illnesses.
(g)
Tobacco use in and around these recreational facilities creates
the contradictory message of young people being encouraged and coached
by adults to engage in healthy activities, while at the same time
being exposed to adults and older youth using tobacco products which
cause adverse health effects as the result of exposure to secondhand
smoke and/or spit or saliva.
(h)
Tobacco use, exposure to secondhand smoke, and exposure to tobacco
saliva are clearly contrary to enhancing the quality of life and providing
safe environments.
(2)
Based on the endorsements listed in Subsection A(1) above, the purpose of this section is to provide for the health of and protect the safety of the inhabitants of the Town by regulating, pursuant to Section 7-148(c)(7)(H)(xvi) of the Connecticut General Statutes, activities deemed to be deleterious to public health on property owned by the Town and which are used for recreational purposes. This section will enhance the enjoyment of all persons using said property.
B.
RECREATIONAL PROPERTY
SCHOOL GROUNDS
SMOKE or SMOKING
Definitions. As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings indicated.
Any public park property owned by the Town and which is under
the supervision and control of the Town's Park and Recreation
Department. The term "recreational property" shall not include school
grounds.
A parcel of land or portion thereof used for school purposes
and operated by the Town of Griswold Board of Education.
The lighting or carrying of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe
or similar device.
D.
Penalties for offenses. Any person who violates any provision of
this section shall be guilty of an infraction subject to a fine of
$50 for each separate offense or violation. Any and all remedies which
the Town has in enforcing this section, at law or in equity, shall
be cumulative and two or more or all of such remedies may be exercised
at the same time.
E.
Posting by Town Park and Recreation Department. The Town Park and
Recreation Department shall, subject to the Town Recreation Commission's
approval of scope and location, post a sign or signs on a recreational
property stating such recreational property is a "tobacco-free zone"
to indicate that said recreational property is subject to this section,
and there shall be distinctly marked designated smoking areas.
F.
Savings clause. If any subsection, clause, provision or portion of
this section, or if any regulation established pursuant to the terms
of this section, shall be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by
any court of competent jurisdiction, such holding shall not affect
or impair any other section, clause, provision or portion of this
section or of any regulation established pursuant to the terms of
this section.
G.
Activities otherwise prohibited. No provision of this section shall
serve to validate any activity otherwise prohibited by state or local
law or lawfully enacted zoning regulations.
H.
When effective. This section shall become effective 30 days from
the date of its adoption.
No parent, guardian or custodian of any minor
shall permit or allow him or her, as the case may be, to do any act
which would constitute a violation of this article. Nonobservance
of this section shall be a violation.
A.
No person shall fail or refuse to comply with any
reasonable order relating to the regulation, direction or control
of traffic or to any other order lawfully given by any police officer
or Townofficial in the execution of his or her office or willfully
resist, obstruct or abuse any police officer or Townofficial in the
execution of his or her office or duties. Nonobservance of this section
shall be a violation.
B.
No official or employee of the Town of Griswold shall,
while acting pursuant to the provisions of this article, be personally
liable for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as the
result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his or
her official duties, provided that such acts are performed in good
faith and without gross negligence.