In this article, the following words have the meanings indicated:
The Queen Anne's County Department of Parks and Recreation.
Those persons or agencies designated under § 22-24 of this article with responsibility for enforcement of this article.
The Director of the Department.
Refers to appropriate athletic conduct and behavior as determined
and adopted from time to time by the Code of Conduct Review Board.
A.
The Code of Conduct promotes, and enforces appropriate athletic conduct
and behavior as overseen by the Department of Parks and Recreation
and or within the County park system.
B.
General powers and duties. The Director of Parks and Recreation Department
has the authority to recommend to the County Commissioners suspension
or expulsion of leagues, players, coaches and spectators from Queen
Anne's County parks and recreation facilities for violations
of the Sports Code of Conduct.
A.
Admittance. Park property and park and recreation programs are open
to use by all members of the public regardless of race, sex, national
origin, color or creed.
C.
Permits. The Department may issue permits for use of County parks
and facilities upon such rules and regulations as may be approved
by the County Commissioners of Queen Anne's County.
A.
Posting notices. Attaching or posting of notices, signs or any other
objects on park property is prohibited except by permit (Class e offense).
B.
Audio devices and noise. No person may play an audio device or create
excessive noise so as to disturb the peace (Class e offense).
C.
Fireworks and explosives. No person may possess and discharge any
fireworks or other explosive pyrotechnics on park property without
the expressed written permission of the Director (Class b offense).
D.
Littering, dumping and storage. (See definitions of "garbage," "refuse" and "rubbish" Queen Anne's County Code, Ch. 19, Nuisances; Right-to-Farm, Art. I, Definitions.)
(1)
Garbage, junk, refuse and rubbish must be properly disposed of in
trash receptacles (Class b offense).
(2)
Dumping of household or commercial trash and refuse is prohibited
on any County property whether or not said dumping occurs in a trash
receptacle (Class b offense).
(3)
No person may store material of any description on park property
except by written authorization from the Director (Class e offense).
(4)
Glass containers are prohibited in County parks and facilities (Class
e offense).
E.
Destruction of park property. Injury, defacement, disturbance or
destruction of any building, sign, equipment, tree, flower, fern,
shrub, rock, plant or mineral in a County park is prohibited. (Class
c offense).
F.
Wildlife. The intentional disturbance, harassment or injury of any
animal or animal habitat is prohibited. (Class c offense).
H.
Metal detectors; digging. Patrons are prohibited from using metal
detectors and/or digging as in treasure hunting or archeological investigation
into the surface of park property except by permit. (Class e offense).
I.
Gambling. Gambling, games of chance and fortune-telling are prohibited
in County parks, except with the specific permission and a permit
issued by the Director. (Class e offense).
J.
Alcohol.
(1)
Consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited except
with the specific permission of and a permit issued by the Director
(Class d offense).
(2)
The sale of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited without a
permit and permission of the Director and proper liquor license (Class
d offense).
K.
Projectiles. No person may throw or launch projectile objects in
such a way as to annoy, interfere, impede or endanger another park
patron (Class e offense).
L.
Breach of peace. No person may perform, engage in, instigate and/or
encourage a contention or fight, or assault a person. Every legal
order of a park official must be properly obeyed (Class c offense).
N.
Powered model airplanes, rockets and drones. No powered model airplanes,
rockets or drones shall be flown or launched from any park area except
on officially designated areas and by permit (Class d offense).
O.
Erecting structures. The enclosure of any area or erection of any
structures on park property is prohibited unless authorized by permit
(Class e offense).
P.
Automobile service. No person may service any automobile on park
property, except waxing. Prohibited activities include washing, repairing
or performing other work, except in case of an emergency (Class e
offense).
Q.
Weapons. No person shall carry, possess or discharge a bow and arrow,
dart, firearm, knife with blade of more than three inches in length,
or other dangerous weapon on park property except where permitted
in designated areas. This provision does not apply to firearms carried
by law enforcement officers and persons with legal permits (Class
b offense).
The following regulations apply to all property under the supervision
or control of the Department:
A.
Aeronautical activities. Aeronautical activities are permitted pursuant
to airport regulations. Airplanes, helium/hot air balloons, hang gliders,
parachutes, ultra-light planes, drones, or any other person-operated
aircraft shall not be flown or launched from any County property except
in officially designated areas by permit (Class e offense).
B.
Athletics/leagues.
(1)
Persons reserving an athletic field are entitled to exclusive use
of such areas on the dates and between the hours specified by permit.
They, and all other users, are prohibited from playing on the fields
if the grounds are wet or otherwise unsuitable for play (Class e offense).
(2)
Any athletic field other than an artificial turf field that is not
reserved shall be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Artificial
turf fields shall be available only through a permit issued by the
Department of Parks and Recreation.
C.
Bicycling.
(1)
Bicycle riding is permitted only on roads or on other trails designated
for that purpose (Class e offense).
(2)
Bicycle riding is subject to the following requirements (Class e
offense):
(a)
Bicycles must yield to pedestrians and horses along the trail.
(b)
Bicycles shall not be operated at a speed greater than reasonable
and prudent for existing conditions. The maximum speed limit on the
trails is 15 miles per hour.
(c)
Bicycle trail users shall dismount prior to crossing intersecting
roadways.
(d)
Bicycles and hikers shall keep right except to pass and bicyclists
must alert other trail users before passing.
D.
Boating. (Violation of below regulations constitute a Class e offense.)
(1)
No boat or other watercraft is allowed on lakes or ponds on County
property except by permit.
(2)
Operators and occupants of permitted watercraft will comply with
all local, state and federal regulations governing the use and operation
of said watercraft.
(3)
Operators and occupants of permitted watercraft will comply with
any special regulation promulgated by the Director and posted near
watercraft launch sites.
E.
Fires. (Violation of below regulations constitute a Class e offense.)
(1)
Fires are permitted only on public campgrounds and picnic areas,
and are restricted to established fireplaces constructed for this
purpose, and/or privately owned grills or stoves in areas specifically
designated by the Director.
(2)
Before leaving the site, persons who have made fires shall wet hot
coals until they are thoroughly soaked and cold.
(3)
Building of fires may be prohibited or limited by the Director when
a fire hazard exists. The lighting and use of tobacco products are
prohibited on County property.
(4)
Ground fires are prohibited.
F.
Fishing. Fishing is permitted only in designated areas and in compliance
with Maryland state angler's license requirements (Class e offense).
G.
Golf. Golf practice is not permitted except at golf courses (Class
e offense).
H.
Horseback riding. Horses are permitted only in designated areas and
trails (Class e offense).
I.
Hunting; trapping.
(1)
Hunting and trapping are permitted only for scientific and animal
control purposes.
(2)
Hunting is permitted only in areas designated for hunting and upon
compliance with federal and/or Maryland state licensing requirements
(Class d offense).
(3)
No person may hunt or trap without the required permit issued from
the Department.
J.
Picnicking. Picnicking may be prohibited in areas identified as inappropriate
by the Director. Unrestricted picnic areas are operated on a first-come,
first-served basis. (Class e offense).
K.
Roller-skating, in-line skating, skateboarding. Roller-skating and
skateboarding are permitted only in areas designated for such use
and are prohibited in areas designated for basketball and tennis (Class
e offense).
L.
Swimming, water sports.
(1)
Bathing and swimming are permitted only in places and at times designated
by the Department of Parks and Recreation (Class e offense).
(2)
Bathers must be properly clad in a bathing suit or appropriate swimming
attire (Class e offense).
(3)
Lifeguards are not in attendance within County parks. Users assume
their own risk.
M.
Winter sports. Ice-skating, sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling or
tobogganing are permitted on park property only where authorized by
posted notice and only in accordance with special regulations on the
posted notice (Class e offense).
N.
Camping. Camping is authorized by permit only in designated areas
and within specific periods as indicated on the permit (Class e offense).
O.
Motorized vehicle. Use of any unauthorized motorized vehicle on park
property is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to ATVs,
minibikes, motor scooters, and dirt bikes (Class a offense).
A.
All animals must be controlled in accordance with the Queen Anne's County Department of Parks and Recreation Rules and Regulations and abide by all provisions as set forth within the Queen Anne's County Animal Control Ordinance (Chapter 9 of the Code of Queen Anne's County).
B.
Pets are strictly prohibited from Romancoke Pier, and Matapeake Pier
(Class e offense).
C.
Nondomesticated animals. Grazing of animals is not allowed on County
parklands without special permission (Class e offense).
D.
Domesticated animals.
(1)
All pets, except for documented service animals, are prohibited from
bathing, picnic or other areas that are specifically restricted and
posted (Class e offense).
(2)
All animals must be controlled by a leash or other similar restraining
device at all times (Class e offense).
(3)
The owner or custodian of an animal may not allow his or her animal
or any animal under his or her care to defecate on public property,
unless the owner or custodian of the animal immediately thereafter
removes and disposes of any and all waste in a sanitary manner (Class
e offense).
(4)
At no time may an animal injure, molest or intimidate another individual
or animal, chase vehicles or bicycles (Class b offense).
A.
Enforcement. Traffic and parking in County parks is under direction
of the Department of Parks and Recreation. All posted signs and the
instructions of park officials must be obeyed (Class e offense).
B.
Speed limit. No person shall operate any motorized vehicle in excess
of 15 miles per hour unless the speed limit is otherwise posted or
directed (Class e offense).
C.
Permissible roadways. No person shall operate any motorized vehicle
on park property other than a road or street on which public access
is permitted (Class b offense).
D.
Large truck, buses. Trucks over one ton, buses and tractor trailers
shall not be operated or parked on park property except by special
permit (Class e offense).
E.
Parking regulations.
(1)
No persons may stop, stand or park a motor vehicle on park property
(Class e offense).
(a)
In front of a public driveway;
(b)
Within an intersection;
(c)
Within 20 feet of, or so as to obstruct, a crosswalk, or within
20 feet of an intersection;
(d)
On a bridge;
(e)
Any place an official sign prohibits, or regulates, stopping,
standing, parking, or the manner of parking in general;
(f)
On the traveled portion of a roadway or public driveway;
(g)
On, or obstructing the entrance to, any bicycle path, hiker
path, bridle path or access road;
(h)
So as to obstruct another vehicle or traffic;
(i)
So as to occupy more than one parking space or across painted
parking lines;
(j)
During those hours when park property is not open to the public;
(k)
On any grass area unless specifically allowed or so as to injure
any tree shrub, plant or vegetation;
(l)
In a designated fire lane;
(m)
In a designated loading area;
(n)
On park property other than that designated for vehicular parking;
(o)
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;
(p)
Within 30 feet of the approach to any traffic control device
located at the side of a roadway or at an intersection.
(2)
Any vehicle, which receives a permit to park adjacent to any roadway
must be removed from the traveled portion of the roadway and parked
in the direction of authorized traffic movement, with left wheels
parallel to and within 36 inches of the right edge or boundary of
the roadway (Class e offense).
Park users shall pay the rental fees for permit or use as established
by the Department.
A.
Enforcement authority. The provisions of this article shall be enforced
by any Queen Anne's County employee designated by resolution
of the County Commissioners. In addition, these provisions may be
enforced by the Department of Natural Resources, Queen Anne's
County Sheriff, Maryland State Police and any local law enforcement
agencies or agencies designated by the County Commissioners.
B.
Interference with enforcement efforts. It shall be a violation of
this article to interfere with the designee in the performance of
the designee's duties.
A.
In general. Violation of this article shall be a civil infraction.
B.
Fine; obligation to correct.
(1)
Any person found in violation of any provision of this chapter shall
be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500. Any person convicted of
a second or subsequent offense shall be punishable by a fine not to
exceed $1,000.
(2)
Each day during which a violation continues may be deemed a separate
offense.
C.
Amount of fine. Unless another amount for a specific violation has
been established by law or regulation, the pre-set civil fine shall
be in the minimum amount shown below:
Class of Offense
|
Minimum Fine
|
Minimum Suspension
|
Maximum Suspension
|
---|---|---|---|
a
|
$500
|
1 year
|
Permanent
|
b
|
$250
|
4 months
|
1 year
|
c
|
$100
|
1 month
|
3 months
|
d
|
$50
|
1 week
|
1 month
|
e
|
$50
|
1 day
|
1 week
|
D.
Suspension from park facility. The Director has the authority to
suspend in addition to fines. In addition to the fines, the Director
may suspend park privileges as set forth above.
In addition to or in lieu of enforcing the provisions of this
article, the Department of Parks and Recreation may seek and obtain
restitution from any individual for costs incurred by the Department
in restoring, repairing, replacing, removing encroachments or otherwise
mitigating the loss of or damage to any natural resources or other
parkland property destroyed, defaced, damaged, altered or removed
by the individual.
A.
Form. Citations shall be in the form designated and promulgated by
Queen Anne's County Department of Parks and Recreation and approved
by the District Court of Maryland.
B.
Payment of fine. Citations shall be payable within 20 calendar days of receipt of the citation. The preset fine will be the minimum amounts as set forth in § 22-25C.
C.
Right to stand trial.
(1)
A person receiving a citation for civil infraction may elect to stand
trial for the offense by notifying the Queen Anne's County Finance
Department of the person's intention to stand trial.
(2)
The notice of intent to stand trial shall be given in writing within
10 calendar days of receipt of the citation.
(3)
On receipt of the notice of intent to stand trial, the County Finance
Department shall forward to the District Court of Queen Anne's
County a copy of the citation and the notice of intent to stand trial.
(4)
The District Court shall schedule the case for trial and notify the
defendant of the trial date.
A.
Notice. If a person who receives a citation for a violation fails
to pay the fine by the date of payment set forth on the citation,
and fails to file a notice of intention to stand trial, formal notice
of the violation shall be sent to the person's last known address.
B.
Additional fine; failure to respond. A person who receives a citation
may request adjudication of the case through District Court. The District
Court shall schedule the case for trial and summon the defendant to
appear.
In any proceeding before the District Court, the violation shall
be prosecuted in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth
for municipal infractions under Article 25B, § 13C, of the
Annotated Code of Maryland.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See now Subtitle 2, Civil Infractions, of Title
11 of the Local Government Article of the Annotate Code of Maryland.
If the person is found by the District Court to have committed
a violation of this article, the person shall be liable for the costs
of the proceedings in the District Court and shall be subject to a
fine.