As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BOROUGH
The Borough of Emerson.
ORGANIZED ACTIVITIES
The playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects, such as balls, disks or similar objects, and including but not limited to such common games known as "football," "baseball," or "horseshoes" or other similar sports requiring team play of more than five participants. "Organized activities" shall further include a preplanned meeting for the purpose of picnicking and/or serving or distributing refreshments.
PARK
A park, playground, recreation center or any other area in the Borough devoted to active or passive recreation and includes but is not limited to those areas as set forth in Schedule A.[1]
VEHICLE
Any wheeled conveyance, whether motor-powered, animal-drawn or self-propelled. The term shall include any trailer in tow of any size, kind or description. Exception is made for baby carriages and vehicles in the service of the Borough.
[1]
Editor's Note: Schedule A is included as an attachment to this article.
No person in a park shall:
A. 
Buildings and other property.
(1) 
Disfiguration and removal: willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with or displace or remove any building, bridge, public utility or part or appurtenance thereof, sign, notice or placard, whether temporary or permanent, monument, stake, post or other boundary marker or other structure or equipment, facility or park property or appurtenance whatsoever, either real or personal.
(2) 
Rest rooms and washrooms: fail to cooperate in maintaining rest rooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition.
(3) 
Removal of natural resources: dig or remove any soil, rock, stones, trees, shrubs or plants, down-timber or other wood or material or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.
(4) 
Erection of structures: construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind, whether permanent or temporary in character, or run or string any public service utility into, upon or across such lands, except on special written permit issued hereunder.
B. 
Trees, shrubbery, and lawns.
(1) 
Injury and removal: damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree or plant or injure the bark or pick the flowers or seeds of any tree or plant; nor shall any person attach any rope, wire or other contrivance to any tree or plant. A person shall not dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas or in any other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.
(2) 
Climbing trees, etc.: climb any tree or walk, stand or sit upon monuments, vases, fountains, railing, fences or gun carriages or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes.
No person in a park shall:
A. 
Pollution of waters: throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, or other body of water in or adjacent to any part of any tributary, stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such waters, any substances, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of said waters.
B. 
Refuse and trash: have brought in or dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse or other trash. Such refuse or trash shall not be placed in any waters in or contiguous to any park or left anywhere on the grounds thereof but shall be placed in the proper receptacles where these are provided; where receptacles are not so provided, all such rubbish or waste shall be carried away from the park by the person responsible for its presence and properly disposed of elsewhere.
No person shall drive, park, stop or stand any vehicle in any area except paved roads or parking areas.
No person in a park shall:
A. 
Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose.
B. 
Take part in the playing of any games involving thrown or otherwise propelled objects, such as balls, Frisbees, javelins, or model airplanes, except in areas set apart for such forms of recreation.
No person in a park shall:
A. 
Intoxicating beverages.
(1) 
Prohibition: have brought alcoholic beverages, nor shall any person drink alcoholic beverages at any time in the park.
B. 
Fireworks and explosives: bring or have in his possession or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn any firecrackers, torpedo, rocket or other fireworks or explosives or flammable material or discharge them or throw them into any such area from land or highway adjacent thereto.
C. 
Domestic animals: have been responsible for the entry of a dog or other domestic animal into areas other than concourses and walks. Nothing herein shall be construed as permitting the running of dogs at large. All dogs in those areas where such animals are permitted shall be restrained at all times on adequate leashes.
D. 
Fires: build or attempt to build a fire, or barbecue. No person shall drop, throw or otherwise scatter lighted matches, burning cigarettes or cigars, tobacco paper or other flammable material within any park area.
E. 
Games of chance: gamble or participate in or abet any game of chance.
F. 
Loitering and boisterousness: sleep or protractedly lounge on the seats or benches or other areas or engage in loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive or insulting or indecent language or engage in any disorderly conduct or behavior tending to a breach of the public peace.
G. 
Noise: use radios, car stereos or other devices for the production or reproduction of sound in a manner that is unreasonably or unnecessarily loud so as to create a noise nuisance in any Borough Park, unless prior authorization is granted by the Mayor and Council.
No person in a park shall:
A. 
Vending and peddling: expose or offer for sale any food, article or thing, nor shall be station or place any stand, cart or vehicle for the transportation, sale or display of any such article or thing.
B. 
Advertising: announce, advertise or call the public attention in any way to any article or service for sale or hire.
C. 
Signs: paste, glue, tack or otherwise post any sign, placard, advertisement or inscription whatever, nor shall any person erect or cause to be erected any sign whatever on public lands.
A. 
Hours. Except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the public during designated times. The opening and closing hours for each individual park shall be posted therein for public information. All parks shall open at 8:00 a.m. and shall close at 10:00 p.m., and no person or vehicle shall remain on park premises thereafter. Municipal vehicles and personnel may remain on park premises in the execution of municipal duties or in the utilization of municipal services.
B. 
Permit. A permit shall be required to be obtained from the Recreation Commission, through the office of the Borough Clerk, for any organized activities, recreational, social or otherwise, involving more than five participants to be held in any parks, playgrounds or recreational facilities owned by the Borough of Emerson, including but not limited to baseball, softball and soccer fields. Use of municipal facilities is always contingent upon the Borough not requiring the use of the facility for Borough purposes.
(1) 
Application. A person seeking issuance of a permit hereunder shall file an application with the Borough Clerk, who shall forward said application to the Recreation Commission. The application shall include:
(a) 
The name and address of the organization making the application.
(b) 
The park, playground, field or facilities or portion thereof for which the permit is desired.
(c) 
The day and hours for which the permit is desired.
(d) 
The name and address of the responsible adult who will be present and in charge while the facilities are in use.
(e) 
A verified roster or list of the participants with attached forms for each participant containing the names, emergency contact information, school, and grade of all participants. The forms must be signed by the minor's legal guardian.
(f) 
An estimate of the anticipated attendance.
(g) 
A hold harmless agreement completed and signed by the person filing the application which agrees to indemnify and hold the Borough of Emerson, its officers, agents and employees harmless from any and all liabilities, claims, costs and attorneys' fees arising out of the applicant's use of the facilities.
(h) 
All applicants (excluding the limited exception below) shall provide a certificate of insurance, naming the Borough of Emerson as certificate holder and additional insured and the certificate must be attached to the application. The certificate must have limits of liability for bodily injury, liability and property damage in the amounts required by the Borough of Emerson. The requirement of a hold harmless agreement and/or insurance may be waived in writing by the Mayor and Council under circumstances where the Commission concludes it is appropriate. Applicants that will have less than 30 people in attendance, and are not exchanging any fees (either for participation, the sale or exchange of goods, i.e., a farmers' market, a flea market, etc.) and also are not conducting an athletic event of any kind (i.e., a race, a game, etc.) will not be required to acquire insurance. The exception to the insurance requirement includes family picnics, birthday parties, and other gatherings limited to an attendance of less than 30 people. All other applicants shall obtain insurance in the amounts and forms that the municipality deems reasonable and necessary.
(i) 
Any other information which the Recreation Commission shall find reasonably necessary to make a fair determination as to whether a permit shall be issued hereunder.
(2) 
Standards for issuance. The Recreation Commission shall issue a permit hereunder when it is found that:
(a) 
The proposed activity or use of the park will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general enjoyment of the park.
(b) 
The proposed activity and use will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
(c) 
The proposed activity or use is not reasonably anticipated to incite violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
(d) 
The proposed activity will not entail unusual, extraordinary or burdensome expense or police operation by the Borough.
(e) 
The facilities desired have not been reserved for other use at the day and hour required in the application.
(f) 
The applicant has completed and filed all necessary documents, including the hold harmless agreement and a certificate of insurance.
(3) 
Effect of permit. A permittee shall be bound by all park rules and regulations and all applicable ordinances fully as though the same were inserted in said permit(s).
(4) 
Liability of permittee. The person or persons to whom a permit is issued shall be liable for any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person whatever by reason of the negligence of the person or persons to whom such permit shall have been issued.
(5) 
Revocation. The Recreation Commission shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon finding of violation of any rule or regulation or ordinance or upon good cause shown.
(6) 
Application fees. Unless waived by the Recreation Commission, a nonrefundable fee of $25 shall be required when filing an application with the Borough Clerk for the use of facilities for an organized activity involving more than five participants.
(7) 
Field and court permit fees.
(a) 
A fee of $100 per daytime game and $125 per nighttime game, with a maximum of 2 1/2 hours per game, shall be required by the Recreation Commission for all permits issued for the purpose of holding an organized sports activity on recreational facilities; a fee of $25 per game and $35 per nighttime game (sessions not to exceed two hours) for use of one of the basketball courts. For teams with a roster of less than 75% Emerson residents, the fee shall be $500 per team per game.
[Amended 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 1662-22]
(b) 
The Mayor and Council shall have the power to waive the collection of all fees upon application being made to it by any charitable organization.
(8) 
Exception. Nothing herein shall be read to require the application for a permit for an event officially sanctioned by the Recreation Commission or the Borough of Emerson.
A. 
Officials. All municipal officials, including but not limited to police officers, shall diligently enforce the provisions of this article.
B. 
Ejection. Police officers or any other municipal official shall have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation of this article.
Any person convicted of a violation of this article shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $500 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both.
The following rules and regulations shall apply only to Leo Rosengart Memorial Park, previously known as Sunset Park, Block 501, Lot 6. These rules are intended to reflect the fact that this park is designed and has facilities intended for younger children and is a park located in a residential zone.
A. 
Facilities and recreation equipment in this park shall be restricted to the use by children 12 years of age and younger.
B. 
This park shall close at 8:00 p.m., and no person or vehicles shall remain on park premises thereafter.