Township of Spring Garden, PA Chapter 220 Parks and Recreation Areas

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Spring Garden 7-8-2020 by Ord. No. 2020-02.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Open containers of alcoholic beverages — See Ch. 104, Art. I.

Dogs at large — See Ch. 110, Art. I.

Littering; tampering with public property — See Ch. 186.

Peddling, soliciting and transient retail sales — See Ch. 226.

Public entertainment — See Ch. 238.

Skateboards — See Ch. 255.

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Ch. 220, Parks and Recreation Areas, which consisted of Art. I, Rules and Regulations, adopted 6-11-1975 by Ord. No. 51 (Ch. 16, Part 1, of the 1994 Code), as amended; and Art. II, Private Parks for Public Use, adopted 10-13-1976 by Ord. No. 67 (Ch. 16, Part 2, of the 1994 Code), as amended.

Article I Rules and Regulations

§ 220-1 Park hours.

It shall be unlawful for any person to use for any purpose whatsoever the facilities of any playgrounds and parks owned or leased and maintained by Spring Garden Township or its Recreation Commission from dusk to dawn. Subject, nevertheless, that the Recreation Commission and Board of Commissioners may alter park hours for authorized activities that would otherwise be prohibited hereunder. Refer to § 220-9, Park hours, for Reservoir Park.

§ 220-2 Littering prohibited.

It shall be unlawful for any person to put, cast, or deposit in any portion of any public park or playground any sort of filth, ashes, garbage, stones, sand, or rubbish whatsoever.

§ 220-3 Prohibited conduct.

It shall be unlawful for any person to do or assist in the doing of any of the following enumerated acts in any of the playgrounds or public parks of the Township:

A. Throw any stones or missiles.

B. Utter loud or indecent language or play or bring portable amplified musical instruments or loudspeakers upon the park property.

C. Gamble or play any game of chance.

D. Beg or solicit alms.

E. Solicit a contribution or subscription of money or other valuable thing.

F. Deposit any rubbish or refuse except in a container provided by the Township for such purposes nor throw any litter on the residential property adjacent to the park area.

G. Operate motorized vehicles and bicycles, minibikes, motorcycles, snowmobiles, or ride horses within the park area at all times. Bicycles may be ridden on improved surfaces.

H. Sell or offer or display for sale any goods, wares, merchandise, refreshments or anything whatsoever, except by authority granted by the Board of Commissioners or the Recreation Commission.

I. Remove any seats, benches, or playground equipment from their resting places.

J. Willfully deface, vandalize, or injure any building, seats, benches, trees, plants, shrubbery, grass, flowers or any other property pertaining to such parks or playgrounds or dig any holes or cut any sod.

K. Post any sign, banner, advertisement, or circular.

L. Play any game or engage in any sport or contest except at places designated and set aside by the Township or the Recreation Commission for such purposes.

M. Hit golf balls from or onto Township park property.

N. Transport, possess or consume alcoholic beverages, illicit drugs, or narcotics within or upon any of the playgrounds or parks of the said Township.

O. Smoke or use tobacco. Smoking shall include possession of a lighted cigarette, cigar, electronic cigarette, vaporizer, pipe or other lighted smoking equipment, and use of tobacco shall include smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco in any form.

P. Engage in lewd conduct or solicit for prostitution, immoral, or illegal purposes.

Q. Metal detecting.

R. Open fire or charcoal grilling.

S. Set off fireworks from or onto Township park property.

T. Use any driveways, private roads or gardens or walkways of residential property to obtain access to the park area, and anyone using such private property shall be considered a trespasser subject to the penalties hereinafter provided. Access to the park area shall only be obtained by direct access from a public street or roadways provided by the owner.

§ 220-4 Dogs.

The restrictions set forth in this § 220-4, Dogs, at park areas will apply to all Township-owned facilities, park playground areas, and all park grounds, including those designated in Article II of Chapter 220, subject to compliance with the conditions and the rules and regulations of Spring Garden Township Parks and Recreation and may result in a citation and/or removal for any violation of said rules and regulations. All persons possessing a dog in a Township-owned facility, park playground area or park ground of a private park shall comply with the following:

A. All dogs must be currently licensed and vaccinated. Proof of a current rabies vaccination and license is required upon request of a police or animal control officer. Tags may serve as proof.

B. Dogs must be leashed. (Leashes are to be six feet or less.) The person in control and possession of the dog must always keep the leash in hand.

C. No children under the age of 16 may walk a dog unless accompanied by an adult.

D. Dogs must be removed at the first sign of aggression.

E. The owner or person in control or possession of the dog must always be within view of their dog(s).

F. Dog waste must be collected immediately and placed in the proper receptacle.

G. Digging is prohibited. Persons in control or possession of the dog are required to fill any holes the dog digs.

H. Excessive dog barking is prohibited.

I. Dog grooming at parks is prohibited.

J. Pick up toys and trash.

K. It shall be unlawful for any visitors to the park area to enter inside any area enclosed by fencing or any building on any property. Anyone so entering without prior written approval by the owner shall be considered a trespasser subject to the penalties hereinafter provided.

§ 220-5 Exceptions to use restrictions.

The restrictions as to use of the parks or playgrounds later than one hour after sunset shall not apply to areas specifically lighted for playground purposes after dark or when any recreational program is being operated by or with the authority of the Township or its Recreation Commission.

§ 220-6 Violations and penalties.

Anyone violating any of the provisions of this article, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced to a fine of not more than $600 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.

Article II Private Parks for Public Use

§ 220-7 Designation.

Any land areas located within Spring Garden Township owned by public utilities or other land areas owned by public or private corporations made available without charge to the public for recreational purposes shall be designated as "private parks open free for public use."

§ 220-8 Area limitations.

The opening for public use of private land by the York Water Company or other land areas opened by other public or private corporations shall be limited to those areas prescribed by the owners and designated by signs to be erected along the borders of the land open for recreational purposes.

§ 220-9 Park hours.

The park area open for public use shall be so open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from October 1 to April 15, and the area open for public use shall be from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from April 15 to October 1. Special hours for sledding may be permitted by the owner upon the park area by the posting of notices on the area on the days of such additional use. Any person on the premises between the closing and opening hours shall be considered a trespasser.

§ 220-10 Prohibited conduct.

It shall be unlawful for any person to do or assist in the doing of any of the following enumerated acts in the park area:

A. Use any driveways, private roads or gardens or walkways of residential property to obtain access to the park area, and anyone using such private property shall be considered a trespasser subject to the penalties hereinafter provided. Access to the park area shall only be obtained by direct access from a public street or roadways provided by the owner.

B. Operate motorized bicycles, trail bikes, minibikes, motorcycles and snowmobiles or ride horses within the park area at any time; four-wheeled licensed vehicles will be permitted to use only the paved roadway into the park area.

C. Throw any stones or missiles.

D. Utter loud or indecent language or play or bring portable amplified musical instruments or loudspeakers upon the park property.

E. Gamble or play any game of chance.

F. Beg or solicit alms.

G. Solicit any contribution or subscription of money or other valuable thing.

H. Deposit any rubbish or refuse except in a container provided by the park owner for such purposes, nor throw any litter on the residential property adjacent to the park area.

I. Walk any dog into the park area unless said dog is on a leash.

J. Sell or offer or display for sale any goods, wares, merchandise, refreshments or anything whatsoever.

K. Remove any seats, benches or other equipment from their resting places.

L. Willfully deface, vandalize, or injure any building, seats, benches, trees, plants, shrubbery, grass, flowers or any other property pertaining to such park area or dig any holes or cut any sod, or remove by cutting, digging or carrying any trees, plants, shrubbery, grass, or fallen or standing timber from the park area.

M. Post any sign, banner, advertisement or circular.

N. Play any game or engage in any sport or contest, except at places designated by the owner for such purposes, or such activities which would annoy other users of the park or adjacent landowners.

O. Transport, possess or consume alcoholic beverages, illicit drugs, or narcotics within or upon any of the playgrounds or parks of the said Township.

P. Smoke or use tobacco. Smoking shall include possession of a lighted cigarette, cigar, electronic cigarette, vaporizer, pipe or other lighted smoking equipment, and use of tobacco shall include smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco in any form.

Q. Engage in lewd conduct or solicit for prostitution, immoral, or illegal purposes.

R. Metal detecting.

S. Build fires, except in approved containers in accordance with the Township Fire Code.

T. Group picnics shall not be held unless authorized by the owner pursuant to a request filed at the owner's office.

U. Visitors to the park area shall not enter inside any area enclosed by fencing or any building on any property. Anyone so entering without prior written approval by the owner shall be considered a trespasser subject to the penalties hereinafter provided.

V. Swim in any water contained in any facility on the property, unless specifically designated for and open for swimming by the public.

W. Fly kites, model airplanes, Frisbees, etc., within 300 feet of the covered finished water basins.

X. Operate a small, unmanned aircraft (drone) on or above park property without permission of the owner.

Y. On York Water Company property, sledding is restricted as follows:

(1) Sledding shall be limited to the area north of the open finished water basins.

(2) No sledding on the finished water embankments.

(3) Ramps of any sort may not be constructed.

(4) Proper sledding or tobogganing equipment should be used.

§ 220-11 Violations and penalties.

Anyone violating any of the provisions of this article, after a hearing before a Magisterial District Judge, shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $600 for each offense and, in default of said payment, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.