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.