[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Bristol 3-10-2025 by L.L. No. 2-2025.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also superseded former Ch. 257, Parks and Recreation Areas, adopted 6-9-2014 by L.L. No. 2-2014, as amended.
A. 
This chapter of the Town of Bristol, Ontario County, New York (the "Town"), shall be known as the "Town of Bristol Parks Use Local Law No. 2 of 2025," superseding Local Law 2 of 2014.
B. 
The purpose of this chapter is to preserve the public peace and good order on lands owned by the Town and operated as or made available to the public as parks and/or recreation areas.
This chapter shall be applicable to all land now owned or hereafter acquired by the Town of Bristol, including but not limited to the lands on the south side of County Road 32 opposite the Town Hall and Highway Buildings. All such lands shall be known as "Park."
A. 
Hours.
(1) 
The Park shall be open during daylight hours from sunrise to sunset only and otherwise closed except for special use designated for night use. When closed, no person shall enter or occupy the Park except by express permission of the Town Clerk, Town Supervisor, Highway Superintendent or Commissioner of Parks, unless they are members of authorized law enforcement agencies or Town officials or employees acting in the course of their duties.
(2) 
Permits for use of the Park during hours other than those set forth Subsection A(1) above may be issued by the Town Clerk, or the Deputy Town Clerk or Town Supervisor in the Clerk's absence, each of whom shall have the option to decline to issue such a permit in circumstances in which the proposed activities are deemed to be potentially disruptive to the health, safety and/or welfare of the community.
B. 
Pavilions.
(1) 
Use of Park pavilions shall be on a first-come-first-served basis unless reserved in advance.
(2) 
The Barend, Harmony Circle, and Houseman pavilions shall be available on a reservation basis. A daily reservation may be issued by the Town Clerk, or the Deputy Town Clerk or Town Supervisor in the Clerk's absence, upon the submission of an application and a reservation fee in an amount fixed by the Town Board from time to time by resolution.
C. 
Bounce houses. Inflatables, bounce houses, and other such items and structures are prohibited in Town parks.
D. 
Games. All games and events of any description shall be conducted in a safe, orderly and controlled manner in designated areas. Courts, fields and designated game areas may be reserved. A reservation may be issued by the Town Clerk, or the Deputy Town in the Clerk's absence, upon the submission of such a fee as may be imposed from time to time by resolution of the Town Board. The Town may decline any application if Park usage by residents may, in the opinion of the Town Clerk, Deputy Town Clerk or Town Supervisor in the Clerk's absence, be unreasonably limited or restricted.
E. 
Permits and/or reservations. Permits and/or reservations as referred to Subsections A, B and C above may be issued on a daily or seasonal basis. Any permit or reservation issued for a period longer or more frequent than a single day shall be subject to a fee fixed for the purposes of said permit or reservation by resolution of the Town Board, which may reject any application for the same reason or reasons as the Town Clerk may reject a daily permit and/or reservation.
F. 
Disorderly conduct. No person shall use unreasonably loud or obscene language, partake in activities that result in unreasonably loud noise, engage in disorderly conduct or interfere with any authorized law enforcement agencies or Town officials or employees acting in the course of their duties.
G. 
Preservation of property/garbage.
(1) 
No person shall injure, deface, disturb or befoul any part of any park, including any buildings, lights, signs or other equipment therein, or litter in any park.
(2) 
Each person shall be responsible for the removal of his/her own refuse.
H. 
Dogs, cats and other household pets. No person shall bring any unleashed or uncontrolled dog, cat, or other household pet into any park. Animals needed by the physically handicapped are excluded from the application of this Section. A person bringing such an animal into any park shall be responsible for cleaning up and removing any excrement left by such an animal.
I. 
Fires. No person shall set fire, or assist another to set fire to any timber, trees, shrubs, grass, leaves, growth or any other combustible material or suffer fire upon other land to extend onto any part of any park. Fires within Town fireplaces and portable grills are permitted within designated areas of any park but must be controlled during use and completely extinguished after use.
J. 
Wheeled vehicles and snowmobiles; parking. No person shall:
(1) 
Operate any motorized vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, minibikes, snowmobiles and the like within the area of the Park; provided, however, that the operation of licensed vehicles for the transporting of the public to and from the Park is permitted on all improved roadways and the parking of such vehicles is also permitted within designated parking areas. Vehicles operated by members of authorized law enforcement agencies or Town officials or employees acting in the course of their duties are exempt from the application of this section.
(2) 
Drive or propel, or cause to be driven or propelled, along or over any lands within any Park any vehicle at a greater rate of speed 10 miles per hour.
K. 
Firearms, etc. No person shall possess, carry or discharge any firearm, spring or air gun, or bow and arrow, or any concealed weapon within such parks or areas, except as part of an organized Parks and Recreation Department program. Members of authorized law enforcement agencies in the course of their duties are exempted from such prohibition.
L. 
Fireworks. No fireworks are permitted on Town Park property.
M. 
Balloons. No person shall knowingly release, organize, promote, or intentionally cause to be released helium or lighter-than-air gas balloons (including mylar and latex) or lighter­than-air paper lanterns from within the Town Park property.
N. 
Hunting, trapping and fishing.
(1) 
No person shall be permitted to engage in hunting or trapping in parks and recreational areas, except as authorized by the Town Board to provide for proper environmental control.
(2) 
Fishing is allowed in Mud Creek per New York State fishing regulations.
The use and consumption of alcoholic beverages in any Park shall be governed by the following conditions:
A. 
The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
B. 
No alcoholic beverages shall be dispensed from a temporary bar or keg-type apparatus in any location within any park other than the pavilions, provided that permission therefor shall first be obtained and specified on a current and valid permit issued by the Town Clerk, or the Deputy Town Clerk or Supervisor in the Clerk's absence.
C. 
The use and consumption of alcoholic beverages in any park is subject to all appropriate New York State laws including the use by or distribution to minors.
D. 
No alcoholic beverages may be consumed on any parking lot or street or other public right-of-way in any park.
E. 
No alcoholic beverages may be consumed while inside of or sitting on any vehicle parked in any part of any park.
A. 
No items of foodstuff, beverages or other consumable items, or of souvenirs or other non-consumable items are allowed to be sold or conveyed at any time within any park, except in strict compliance with the following regulations:
(1) 
All food/beverage vendors must have valid New York State Health Department licenses. Food/beverage vendors are responsible for any and all fees related to obtaining a food license. Food/beverage vendors are required to comply with all Ontario County Health Department or all New York State Department rules and regulations for temporary food license facilities. Food/beverage vendors should contact the Health Department well in advance of the event date.
(a) 
A permit has been issued by the person or persons empowered to issue permits pursuant to § 257-3A above;
(b) 
Unless such sales are held as an accessory use to an otherwise allowable use of any Park.
(c) 
Unless such sales comply in all manners with all applicable State, County and Town regulations and statutes including those related to public health and safety; and
(d) 
Unless the financial security of the Town and its constituents is properly protected.
(2) 
The foregoing regulations in §§ 257-4 and 257-5 do not apply to vendors participating in the Town of Bristol sanctioned "Bristol Fun Days," provided that such vendor has notified the Town Clerk and the Bristol Fun Day organizers at least one week prior to the event of such vendor's intention to participate in the Fun Days and that such vendor's participation has been approved by one of the individuals designated in § 257-3A(1) above.
B. 
The Town retains the discretion to deny a permit for sales within any park upon the grounds set forth in § 257-3A. Additional grounds include that such sales would bring discredit upon the Town or any Park, cause congestion, air pollution, excessive noise harmful or disturbing to area residents, or any other significant environmental concern.
C. 
A permit shall only be valid during the hours of operation/activity of the event to which sales are accessories. The Town reserves the right to issue permits to multiple vendors for the same calendar day(s).
D. 
Outstanding permits may be revoked in advance by the Supervisor upon good Grounds shown and return of any filing fee. Permits being acted upon may be revoked upon one-hour notice by the Supervisor or the permit granting person upon good grounds shown. Good grounds shall include any grounds stated above for denial of a permit, and rowdy, criminal or other harmful activity threatened or actually occurring.
E. 
All permits shall be subject to such regulations as are set forth in this chapter.
F. 
The permit fee for such sales shall be set from time to time by resolution of the Town Board. The Town may waive or reduce the permit fee at its discretion for publicly sponsored or supported events. Non-profit organizations shall be exempt from the permit fee requirement. However, insurance certification shall be required for such persons or entities and such persons or entitled shall file applications for permits as set forth herein.
G. 
Every vendor will complete a written application setting forth the following information:
(1) 
The name, address, age, date of birth, telephone number of the applicant and of such person or persons who will operate the permitted business activity;
(2) 
Type of goods, wares, merchandise or services;
(3) 
Length of time the applicant desires the license;
(4) 
Whether or not the applicant had been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor; and
(5) 
If applicable, a Health Certificate and/or a certificate from the Sealer of Weights and Measures and/or a certificate issued by the county.
H. 
No permit shall be valid unless and until the permittee and/or the event sponsor shall present to the Town a Certificate of Insurance showing the Town to be insured or additionally insured party under a current policy of public liability insurance. Adequate insurance coverage shall be an amount or amounts fixed from time to time by the Town Board. The Town may, at its discretion, waive protection from liability.
I. 
During any period of time any Town Park is in use, the Town prohibits vending on any public land and or any street or highway within 500 feet of any Town Park.
No person shall fail or refuse to comply with any reasonable order relating to the regulation, direction or control of traffic; or with any other order lawfully given by any law enforcement officer or Town official or employee acting in the course of their duties; or willfully resist, obstruct or abuse any law enforcement officer or other official in the execution of his or her office.
A. 
Any person convicted of a violation of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $250, and/or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 15 days.
B. 
Any person violating § 257-3G of this chapter, concerning damage to Park property, shall be liable for damages incurred to Park property in a civil action instituted by or on behalf of the Town.
If any section of this chapter shall be held unconstitutional, invalid or ineffective, in whole or in part, such determination shall not be deemed to affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof.