Town of Wolcott, CT Chapter 287 Parks and Open Spaces

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Wolcott 4-3-1979 by Ord. No. 41. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 287-1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

A person who is appointed by the Parks and Recreation and Acquired Facilities Commission and is authorized to act in its behalf.[1]

MAYOR

The Chief Executive Officer of the Town, and his "authorized agent" is the Parks and Recreation and Acquired Facilities Commission.[2]

PARK

Any parkland or open spaces owned by the Town of Wolcott, excluding Farmingbury Hills Golf Course or any areas associated with Wolcott Public Schools.

PERSON

Any individual, company, corporation, partnership, association or organization of any type or description.

TOWN

The Town of Wolcott, Connecticut.

VEHICLE

Any mode of transport, self-propelled, animal-drawn or powered by motor of any type.

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

[2] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

§ 287-2 Acts prohibited in Wolcott parks.

A. No person shall mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, or remove buildings, bridges, tables, benches, fences, railings, fireplaces, materials of any kind, public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, posts, boundary markers, fences or other structures or equipment or park property or appurtenances whatsoever, either real or personal.

B. No person shall pick any flowers, foliage or fruit or cut, break, or in any way mutilate or injure any tree, shrub, plant, grass, turf, or cut, carve, paint or paste any article on any tree, stone, fence, wall, building, monument, walkway, driveway, parking area or other objects therein within park property.

C. No person shall dig or remove any dirt, sand, stones, rock, shrubs, trees, flowers, plants, down timber, or other wood or materials or make any excavation by tool, equipment or other means within park property.

D. No person shall climb, stand or sit upon monuments, fences, or any other property not designated for such or normally used for such purposes within park property.

§ 287-3 Wildlife; firearms and weapons.

A. No person shall kill, harm, hunt, trap, chase, tease, or throw objects at any animal, bird or reptile, or remove, collect, or have in his possession the young of any wild animal or the eggs or nest or young of any reptile or bird, or give, offer or attempt to give any animal, bird or reptile any poisonous or noxious substance within park property.

B. No person shall fish in any waters within park property other than waters so designated by the authorized agent; the use of bait fish, living or dead, or of nets or seines is expressly prohibited on park property.

C. No person shall possess, carry or use firearms, air rifles, spring guns, bow and arrows, slings, or any kind of trapping device, or any type of instrument within park property which possess a potential danger to humans and wildlife.

§ 287-4 Behavior restrictions.

A. No person shall picnic or lunch within park property in any areas other than those designated for that purpose, nor shall any person fail to obey directions of the governing body having jurisdiction over the area or an authorized agent when issued to prevent congestion and secure maximum use of such areas.

B. No person shall leave a picnic or lunch area within park property before any fire lighted or used by him or her is completely extinguished.

C. No person shall set up tents or camp in areas within park property other than those designated and unless a special permit has been obtained from the Mayor or his authorized agent.

D. No person shall use loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language or engage in disorderly conduct or breach of peace or follow or otherwise annoy any other visitor within the park property.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

E. No person shall consume or use alcoholic beverages or drugs, or enter or be in the park while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

F. No person shall build or attempt to build a fire except in designated fireplaces located at picnic areas or at such other locations within park property as may be permitted by the Mayor or his authorized agent.

G. No person shall allow dogs or pets to run at large within park property. Dogs or pets shall be permitted thereon only when leashed or tethered.

H. No person shall expose or offer for sale any article or thing, advertise or call attention to any article or service, or post signs of any nature in any location, except as expressly permitted by the Mayor or his authorized agent.

I. No person shall discharge or carry firearms, firecrackers, torpedoes or fireworks of any kind within park property. This provision shall not apply to the display of fireworks sponsored and supervised by the Town.

J. No person shall scatter or leave within the park property any paper, rag, garbage, broken or breakable bottles or containers or any other litter. This provision shall not apply to those items left by persons in designated containers for the disposal of the same.

§ 287-5 Sanitation.

A. No person shall void any urine, dung, or other excrement within the limits of the park property, except in such places or compartments as are or shall be specifically designated for such purposes.

B. No person shall throw, discharge, place or cause to be placed in any streams, springs or ponds within park property any substance, matter, or thing, liquid or solid, which may result in the pollution of said waters.

C. No person shall bathe, wash, swim or wade in any pool, fountain, spring, stream or any body of water within park property, except in such areas and when designated by the Mayor or his authorized agent.

D. No person shall use public drinking water faucets for any washing purposes within park property.

§ 287-6 Recreational activities.

A. No person shall take part in or abet the playing of any games involving horseshoes, arrows, stones, balls or other propelled objects within park property except in such areas designated for such games.

B. No person shall ride a horse within park property except on designated bridle paths. No riding of horses into streams or ponds shall be permitted. No horse shall be allowed to go unattended while on park property.

C. No person shall interfere with or damage in any way designated nature study areas or other designated areas where educational and scientific programs or experiments are being carried out on park property.

D. No person shall go onto the ice on any ponds within park property except where such areas are designated for skating and ruled safe by the Mayor or his authorized agent.

E. No person shall interfere with the various recreational programs as from time to time may be sponsored by the Town within the park property.

§ 287-7 Traffic.

A. No person shall operate a vehicle on any trail or road within the park property except in designated areas to and from park areas or as expressly permitted by the Mayor or his authorized agent.

B. All persons shall obey either Wolcott police officers, authorized Town employees or Town employees regarding traffic in the park or on highways immediately adjacent to a park.

C. No person shall operate any vehicle in a park in excess of 10 miles per hour.

D. No person shall park a vehicle other than in areas specifically designated by the Mayor or his authorized agent.

§ 287-8 Operating policies.

A. No person shall enter or remain in the park between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise except as permitted by the Mayor or his authorized agent or as a part of a program approved or sponsored by the Town.

B. Any section of the park may be declared closed to the public, either entirely or for particular uses, by the Mayor or his authorized agent at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals. A written notice which shall set forth the aforesaid shall be posted in a conspicuous place on park property.

C. A schedule of fees for admission to any park for parking, and/or for use of facilities and for permits issued in accordance with the provisions of § 287-9 may be adopted by resolution of the Town Council as recommended by the Mayor or his authorized agent.

D. The Mayor or his authorized agent or any authorized employee or police officer may eject from the park any person acting in violation of any provision of this chapter.

E. The Mayor or his authorized agent or any authorized employee or police officer may seize and confiscate any property, thing or device in the park which is brought in or used in violation of any provision of this chapter.

§ 287-9 Permits.

A. A permit shall be obtained from the Mayor or his authorized agent for the following purposes:

(1) Reservation of any area or place in the park for special or private use.

(2) Use of the park by groups in excess of 25 persons.

(3) Performance of scientific or educational experiments or activities on a continuing basis.

(4) Performance of special programs of a recreational, educational or conservation nature by private groups.

(5) Relief from these regulations where permitted, such as parking, building fires in certain locations, operation of vehicles, use of water areas for swimming, wading or bathing, camping activities, use of the park beyond stated hours, sale of refreshments or other items, or fishing events.

B. Any of the aforesaid permits so issued shall be immediately void and deemed revoked upon official State Fire Marshal's closing of woodlands to the public or if, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal, a fire hazard warrants such action.

C. No permit shall be issued until an application has been filed with the Mayor or his authorized agent stating:

(1) Name and address of the applicant.

(2) Name and address of the person sponsoring the activity, if any.

(3) Day or days and hours for which the permit is desired.

(4) The area of the park for which such permit is desired.

(5) Estimate of the anticipated attendance or number of persons participating.

(6) Any other information reasonably required by the Mayor or his authorized agent necessary to determine whether a permit should be issued.

D. The Mayor or his authorized agent shall issue a permit when he finds that:

(1) The proposed activity or use will not interfere with or detract from the general public enjoyment of the park.

(2) The proposed activity or use will not entail unusual or extraordinary expense to the Town.

(3) The area or facilities desired have not been reserved for other use at the time requested in the application.

(4) The proposed activity or use will not cause damage to the park or tend to violate the park regulations.

(5) The proposed activity or use is not solely for the purpose of advertising or profit-making.

E. The person 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.

F. No person shall fail to produce and exhibit any permit which he claims to have upon request of the Mayor or his authorized agent who shall desire to inspect the same for the purpose of enforcing compliance with any ordinance or regulations.

G. No person shall disturb or interfere unreasonably with any person occupying any area or participating in any activity under the authority of a permit.

H. The Mayor or his authorized agent has the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of violation of any ordinance or regulation, conditions of the permit, or for other good cause shown.

§ 287-10 Penalties for offenses; minors.

A. Any violation of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 for each violation.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).

B. In accordance with the provisions of Section 52-572 of the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut, the parents or guardians of any minor child who willfully or maliciously causes damage to any property or appointments within said parks shall be liable for such damage.