[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Houston as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 11-11-1992]
The Borough of Houston sets the following rules and regulations
in ordinance form for the operation of the Houston Borough Park. This
article is intended to preserve public property as well as to promote
and preserve public health, safety, and welfare within the Houston
Borough Park. This article also prescribes penalties for the violation
of such regulations.
The park shall be open from sunrise to sunset. No person without
an official permit or special permission, other than authorized employees,
shall be, remain, or loiter in the park under any circumstances during
the hours which the park is closed.
No person shall injure, deface, remove, cut, or damage any of
the trees, plants, turf, wildlife, structures, equipment, or fixtures
therein, or any property of Houston Borough, located within the park.
Any person inflicting damage upon public property will make reparation
to the Borough for said damage, which said reparation may be collected
as other debts are collectable by law.
Trash must be disposed of in proper containers which are located
at various points within the park. Such disposal is limited to materials
accumulated during the use of the park.
No person shall set or maintain fines anywhere within the park,
except for designated picnic areas.
The use of glass containers of any kind is prohibited within
the park.
Possession or discharge of any firearms, bows and arrows, or
any type of weapon or explosive is prohibited within the park.
No person shall conduct himself or herself in any manner which
causes harm to the health, safety, or general welfare of any person
within the park. Creating excessive noise, gambling, drunkenness,
disorderly or indecent conduct, and profane and offensive language
is hereby prohibited. The use or possession of narcotic drugs is prohibited
within the park.
No domestic animals or pets are permitted in the park except
on a leash or halter, nor are such domestic animals or pets permitted
to run or roam unattended, nor to disturb persons or wildlife. The
owner is responsible for properly discarding of pet refuse. Horseback
riding is prohibited in the park.
Parking is permitted only in designated areas.
No person or persons shall post any sign, solicit, peddle, or
offer any articles for sale or service for hire within the park, or
set up therein any stand or booth for such purposes, without a permit
from the Parks and Recreation Committee.
No meetings and assemblies shall take place within the park
without written permission.
No camping is permitted in the park.
Absolutely no alcoholic beverages are permitted in the park.
All park facilities are to be used for their intended purposes.
It is prohibited to move picnic tables or any type of park facility.
The operation of licensed automobiles and trucks shall be confined
to roads open to traffic and designated parking areas. All other types
of motorized vehicle, including but not limited to cycles, snowmobiles,
and all-terrain vehicles, are prohibited anywhere within the park.
The speed limit on streets bordering and leading to the park is five
mph.
Permission to use the park facilities must be obtained through
the Houston Borough Parks and Recreation Committee. Fees for park
use will be assessed as provided in the current Houston Borough Park
Fee Schedule. A schedule of park usage will be posted in the Houston
Borough Building.
General park maintenance will be the charge of the Borough of
Houston with the services of volunteers being utilized as necessary.
Volunteers will be overseen and scheduled through the Parks and Recreation
Committee in accordance with the current Houston Borough volunteer
job description.
Any person who shall violate any of the rules and regulations
contained in this article shall, upon summary conviction thereof,
before a Magisterial District Judge of Washington County, be sentenced
to pay a fine of not more than $600, and costs of prosecution, for
each and every offense or to undergo imprisonment in the county jail
for not more than 30 days.
The rules and regulations of this article shall be enforced
by the Police Department serving the Borough of Houston.
Unless specifically defined below, words and phrases used in
this article shall be interpreted so as to give this chapter its most
reasonable application.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The general upkeep and enhancement of the park. This includes,
but is not limited to, grass cutting, weed trimming around structures
and equipment, drainage work, landscaping, trash collecting and cleanup,
parking area and sidewalk upkeep, etc.
Any vehicle which utilizes a motor. This category includes,
but is not limited to, automobiles, trucks, dirt bikes, motorcycles,
vans, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, etc.
The entire area located between East Johnson Alley, Chartiers
Creek, Jefferson Street (the Houston Post Office), and Cummins Street
(the Canonsburg Borough line).
