For the purpose of this division, the following definitions shall apply, unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Director.
The director of the parks and recreation of the city.
Park.
A park, reservation, playground, recreation center or any other area in the city, owned, used or designated by the city, and devoted to active or passive recreation.
(1972 Code, sec. 22-70; Ordinance 266 adopted 5/21/1974; 1995 Code, sec. 96.15)
(a) 
Generally.
The director and park attendants shall, in connection with their duty imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this division.
(b) 
Ejection from park.
The director and any park attendant shall have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation of this division.
(1972 Code, sec. 22-77; Ordinance 266 adopted 5/21/1974; 1995 Code, sec. 96.22)
(a) 
Hours.
Except for unusual or unforeseen emergencies, parks shall be open to the public every day of the year during the hours as posted.
(b) 
Closed areas.
Any section or any part of any park may be declared closed to the public by the director at any time for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals.
(1972 Code, sec. 22-76; Ordinance 266 adopted 5/21/1974; 1995 Code, sec. 96.21)
No person in a park shall:
(1) 
Willfully mark, deface, disfigure, injure, tamper with, displace or remove any building, bridge, table, bench, fireplace, railing, paving or paving material, water line or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof, signs, notices or placards, whether temporary or permanent, monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers, or other structures or equipment, facilities or park property or appurtenances, either real or personal.
(2) 
Fail to cooperate in maintaining restrooms and washrooms in a neat and sanitary condition.
(3) 
Dig or remove any soil, rock, stones, trees, shrubs, plants or other wood or materials, or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting or other means or agency.
(4) 
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.
(5) 
Dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas, or in any other way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of the area.
(6) 
Willfully interfere with, disrupt or prevent the orderly conduct of any supervised play or amusement program being conducted by the city.
(1972 Code, sec. 22-71; Ordinance 266 adopted 5/21/1974; 1995 Code, sec. 96.16)
No person in a park shall throw, discharge or otherwise place or cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, storm sewer or drain flowing into such waters any substance, matter or thing, liquid or solid, which will or may result in the pollution of the water, or dump, deposit or leave any bottles, broken glass, ashes, paper, boxes, cans, dirt, rubbish, waste, garbage or refuse or any other trash in any such waters or on the grounds of any park.
(1972 Code, sec. 22-72; Ordinance 266 adopted 5/21/1974; 1995 Code, sec. 96.17)
No person in a park shall:
(1) 
Fail to comply with all applicable provisions of the state motor vehicle traffic laws in regard to the equipment and operation of motorized vehicles, together with such regulations as are contained in this division or other ordinances.
(2) 
Fail to obey all traffic officers and park employees, such persons being hereby authorized and instructed to direct traffic whenever and wherever needed in the parks and on the highways, streets or roads immediately adjacent thereto.
(3) 
Fail to observe carefully all traffic signs indicating speed, direction, caution, stopping or parking and all others posted for proper control and to safeguard life and property.
(4) 
Operate or drive any motorized vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour, except upon such roads as are posted and designated for a greater speed.
(5) 
Park a vehicle in other than an established or designated parking area, and such use shall be in accordance with the posted directions thereat and with the instructions of any attendant who may be present.
(6) 
Double park any vehicle on any road or parkway unless directed by park officials, or in any manner block any roadway within a park.
(7) 
Drive any motorized vehicle, including motorcycles, on any area except the paved park roads, parking areas or other areas designated for such traffic.
(1972 Code, sec. 22-73; Ordinance 266 adopted 5/21/1974; 1995 Code, sec. 96.18)
No person in a park shall:
(1) 
Swim, bathe or wade in any waters or waterways in or adjacent to any park, except in such waters and at such places as are provided therefor, and in compliance with such regulations as are herein set forth or may hereafter be adopted.
(2) 
Frequent any waters or places designated for the purpose of swimming or bathing, or congregate thereat, except between such hours of the day as shall be designated by the director for such purposes for each individual area.
(3) 
Appear in a bathing suit that will indecently expose his person.
(4) 
Dress or undress except in bathing houses or structures as may be provided for that purpose.
(5) 
Bring into, commence or operate any boat or other watercraft, whether motor-powered or not, upon any waters, except at places designated by the director.
(6) 
Fish in any waters, except in waters designated by the director for that use and under such regulations and restrictions as have been or may be prescribed by the director.
(7) 
Hunt, trap or pursue wildlife at any time. No person shall use, carry or possess firearms of any description or any air rifles, spring guns, bows and arrows, slings or any other form of weapon potentially harmful to wildlife and dangerous to human safety.
(8) 
Picnic or lunch in a place other than those designated for that purpose.
(9) 
Camp in any area except at places designated for camping by the director.
(10) 
Ride a bicycle on other than a paved vehicular road or path designated for that purpose and ride a bicycle other than on the right-hand side of the road paving as close as conditions permit. A bicyclist shall at all times operate his machine with reasonable regard to the safety of others, signal all turns, pass to the right of any vehicle he is overtaking and pass to the right of any vehicle he may be meeting.
(1972 Code, sec. 22-74; Ordinance 266 adopted 5/21/1974; 1995 Code, sec. 96.19)
No person in a park shall:
(1) 
Possess alcoholic beverages, nor shall any person drink alcoholic beverages at any time in a city-owned park.
(2) 
Remain in the park if he is under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
(3) 
Discharge, set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn any firecrackers, torpedo, rocket or any other fireworks or explosives of inflammable material.
(4) 
Build or attempt to build a fire except in such areas and under such regulations as may be designated by the Director.
(5) 
Gambling in any form, including, but not limited to betting, wagering or games of chance for money or other valuables.
(6) 
Sleeping, camping or setting up temporary or permanent shelter, tents, bedding or camping equipment.
(7) 
It shall be an affirmative defense to prosecution to subsections (1), (3) and (6) that the activity or event occurred:
(A) 
Pursuant to a valid permit issued by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) and/or a city-issued permit explicitly authorizing such activity; or
(B) 
With written permission from the City Manager, or his designee.
(1972 Code, sec. 22-75(a); Ordinance 266 adopted 5/21/1974; Ordinance 384 adopted 8/21/1990; 1995 Code, sec. 96.20; Ordinance 432 adopted 2/21/2012; Ordinance adopting Code; Ordinance 5152 adopted 2/3/2026)
(a) 
Prohibition.
A person shall not smoke or possess a burning tobacco product within the boundaries of any city park.
(b) 
Definition.
For purposes of this section, “smoke” means to emit or exhale the smoke of burning tobacco, weed or other plant or tobacco product.
(c) 
Posting of signs.
The city manager shall cause conspicuous signage to be posted at entrances and at other common areas where people gather within city parks. Each sign shall state “Smoking Strictly Prohibited Per City Ordinance No. 4133.”
(1995 Code, sec. 96.23; Ordinance 4133 adopted 4/21/2009)