The purpose of this chapter is to establish provisions: for the public's safe and peaceful use of County parks and parkland; for recreational and educational benefit and enjoyment; and for the protection and preservation of the property, facilities and natural resources of the County. Parkland and recreation programs conducted on parkland are open for use by all members of the public without discrimination.
The following terms have the meanings indicated:
ADULT A natural person age 18 or older.
DEPARTMENT The Calvert County Department of Parks and Recreation, its successors and assigns.
DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREA An open water area designated by flags, signs, netting, or, if none of the foregoing along public waterfront, extending 300 feet into deeper water from the mean-high-water line.
DIRECTOR The Director of the Department, or designee.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL An animal of a species of vertebrates that has been domesticated by humans so as to live and breed in a tame condition and depend on humankind for survival, and shall include any equine or bovine animal, goat, sheep, swine, dog, cat, and poultry.
ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE Any product containing or delivering nicotine or any other substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person to simulate smoking through inhalation of vapor or aerosol from the product. The term includes any such device, whether manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold under any other product name or descriptor.
LITTER Any refuse as defined in §
119-2 of this Code, as amended from time to time, discarded and left lying in an open or public place.
MOTORIZED RECREATION VEHICLE Any off-highway vehicle including, but not limited to, all-terrain vehicles, as defined by Maryland Annotated Code, Transportation Article, Section 11-103.3, as amended from time to time, recreational off-highway vehicles, and off-highway motorcycles including but is not limited to, electronic bikes ("e bikes"), minibikes, scooters, amphibious vehicles, go-carts, dune buggies, and golf carts.
MOTORIZED UNMANNED AIRCRAFT An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (or uncrewed aerial vehicle) or an aircraft without a human pilot on board or powered aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide lift, can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely. Commonly referred to as rockets, drones or model airplanes.
PARK PATRON A person visiting or using a park property.
PARK PROPERTY Real and personal property, and improvements that are managed by the Department for the use and benefit of the public for recreation, the protection of wildlife habitats, or the protection of natural, scenic, or historical resources.
PARKING AREA Any designated part of any park road, drive, or special area contiguous thereto that may be set apart for the standing or stationing of vehicles or watercraft trailers.
PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY BOARD Volunteer resident advisory board to assist the Department of Parks and Recreation achieve the goals of establishing services which meet community needs through public input.
PERMIT Official document issued by the Department giving a park patron authorization to conduct a specific activity during the time period, subject to certain conditions as set forth within that document and this Chapter
82.
PERSON Includes an individual and a domestic or foreign, public or private corporation, business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, a joint venture, or any other legal or commercial entity.
SMOKING The act of lighting, smoking, or carrying a lighted or smoldering cigar, cigarette, or pipe.
SPECIAL EVENT Any preplanned entertainment, sporting, cultural, business, or other type of activity (including, without limitation, parades, festivals, races, tournaments, concerts, etc.) presented to a live audience and open to the public with or without an entry charge that is to be held in whole or in part upon park property or that may inhibit the usual flow of pedestrian or vehicular travel or which deviates from the established use of the place or building. Excludes activities not open to the public including private indoor facility rentals, pavilion rentals, or other activities for which a permit has been issued by the County.
VAPING The act of using an electronic cigarette.
WEAPON Is:
A. A device capable of propelling a projectile at high velocity by mechanical means, by explosion, or by expanding gas, including but not limited to a firearm, crossbow, or longbow; or
B. A dirk knife, bowie knife, switchblade, sand club, metal knuckles, razor, or nunchaku; and a device capable of inflicting death or bodily harm to an individual, maiming or destroying wildlife, or destroying property.
The Department shall adopt regulations and rules pertaining to the hours of operations and closing of park property. Regular park hours shall be posted at park property and through County electronic information outlets. Park property without lighting should be open civil dawn to civil twilight. Notwithstanding:
A. Any section or part of any park property may be declared closed to the public by the Director at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals, and either entirely or for certain uses, as necessary and appropriate given the basis for the closure.
B. No person shall be on park property outside of hours of operation unless that facility is officially open for public use for a special event or planned activity. Exceptions to this include:
(1) Law enforcement personnel in the performance of their duties;
(2) Department officials in the performance of their duties; and
(3) Persons authorized or accompanied by law enforcement or Department officials in the performance of their duties.
(4) Persons with a valid and current campsite agreement, or lease.