For the purpose of this article the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise.
Closed field or area.
A field or area that has been closed for any use due to weather or maintenance by the recreation manager.
Director.
The managing director of the City of DeSoto Department of Community Services or designee.
Game Field.
Means a field that has been designated by the recreation manager to be used only for the purpose of conducting league play or tournament play only.
League Athletic Playing Field/Facility.
A field or facility designed and maintained for league play of sports activities, such as football, soccer, softball, or baseball.
League Play.
Means an athletic event which is authorized, organized or scheduled with the assistance of the city parks and recreation department by a nonprofit organization which is a member of the DeSoto Sports Association.
Park.
Means a park, reservation, playground, recreation center, or any other area in the city owned, leased, controlled or used by the city, and devoted to active or passive recreation, including all planted expressways, parkways, triangles and traffic circles maintained by the city.
Person.
Means any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association, company or organization of any kind.
Recreation Manager.
Means the City of DeSoto Recreation Manager or designee.
(Ordinance 1379-00 adopted 9/19/00; Ordinance 2381-24 adopted 5/7/2024)
Within the limits of said parks, it shall be unlawful for any person or persons to do any of the acts hereinafter specified, except as may be otherwise provided:
(1) 
To hitch, fasten, lead, drive, or let loose any animal, reptile or fowl of any kind, provided that this shall not apply to dogs when led by a cord or chain, not more than six (6) feet long except in designated areas.
(2) 
To ride or drive any horse or other animal, except in designated areas. To ride, drive, or go at a rate of speed faster than speed limits as posted on standard traffic signs, upon any bicycle, motorcycle automobile or any other vehicle whatsoever, upon any drive or street in any park of the city, or to ride or drive any such motorcycle, automobile, or other motorized vehicle upon any walk in such park, or to ride or drive any such motorcycle, automobile or other motorized vehicle upon the turf, grass or soil, except in designated areas.
(3) 
To carry or discharge any firearms, firecrackers, rockets, torpedoes or any other fireworks, airguns, BB guns, bows and arrows, slingshots; or hit golf balls, except in designated areas.
(4) 
To damage, cut, break, injure, deface, or disturb any tree, plant, shrub, rock, building, cage, pen, monument, fence, bench or other structure, apparatus, or property; or to pluck, pull up, cut, take or remove any shrub, bush, plant or flower; or to mark or write upon, paint or deface in any manner, any building, monument, fence, bench, or other structure.
(5) 
To cut or remove any turf, wood, grass, soil, rock, sand, gravel, or fertilizer.
(6) 
To swim, to bathe, wade in, or pollute the water of any fountain, pond, lake, or stream.
(7) 
To make or kindle a fire except in picnic stoves, braziers, firepits, or designated areas provided for that purpose.
(8) 
To wash dishes or to empty salt water or other waste liquids elsewhere than in sinks provided for such purposes.
(9) 
To leave garbage, cans, bottles, papers, or other refuse elsewhere than in receptacles provided therefor.
(10) 
To participate or engage in any activity on any public park area when such activity will create a danger to the public or may be considered a public nuisance. Overnight camping is prohibited on any park property except by special permit issued by the city manager or his designate.
(11) 
To play or bet at or against any game which is played, conducted, dealt or carried on with cards, dice, or other device, for money, chips, shells, credit or any other representation of value, or to maintain or exhibit any gambling table or other instrument of gambling or gaming.
(12) 
To use or speak any threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language in any of the public parks, and no person shall commit, in any parks, any obscene, lewd, or indecent act or create any nuisance.
(13) 
To disturb in any manner, any picnic, meeting, service, concert, exercise or exhibition.
(14) 
To distribute, post, place or erect any advertising, handbill, circular, bill, notice, paper or other advertising device without prior permission of the city manager or his designate.
(15) 
To sell or offer for sale any food, drinks, confections, merchandise, or services unless such person has a written agreement or a permit issued by the city manager or his designate.
(16) 
To practice, carry on, conduct or solicit any trade, occupation, business or profession or to circulate a petition of any kind or character without approval of the city manager or his designate.
(17) 
For any person over the age of six (6) years to use the restrooms and washrooms designated for the opposite sex.
(18) 
To remain, stay or loiter in any public park between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. of the following day or remain, stay or loiter in any park in other than open hours if posted as open other than 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight of the same day except by a special permit issued by the city manager or his designate.
(19) 
To possess or consume any alcoholic beverage within a park facility, with the following exceptions:
(A) 
The serving of alcoholic beverages for on-premises possession and consumption shall only be permitted at a city-sponsored event at the Town Center Park and Amphitheatre.
(B) 
The serving of alcoholic beverages for on-premises possession and consumption shall only be permitted at the city civic center and the Corner Theatre provided such service is authorized through a facility use rental agreement. The requestor must provide an approximate number of people expected to attend the event and comply with all city requirements for protection of the health, safety and welfare of the community. In cases of multiple requests, permits or facility use agreements shall be granted on a first come, first serve basis. If the director determines that the conduct of the permitted activity requires additional security precautions be taken to permit the service of alcoholic beverages at the event, the director shall impose a fee to defray the cost of furnishing adequate security forces by the city at the proposed event.
(20) 
To participate or to attempt to participate as a coach, assistant coach, manager, trainer, umpire, referee or other official during any game, practice, or tournament sponsored by an organized sports association, if such person is not recognized as such or if the person's recognition has been suspended, terminated or revoked by such sports association.
(21) 
To use any tobacco product, or to smoke or possess any burning tobacco weed, plant or other tobacco product except in designated smoking areas or in paved parking areas.
(22) 
To interfere or disrupt any game, league play, tournament or practice of any organized sports association, or any city sponsored or approved organized athletic activity.
(23) 
To use any abusive or profane language or gestures toward any coach, assistant coach, trainer, manager, umpire, referee, player, or other official during a practice, game or league play of any organized sports association or any city sponsored or approved organized athletic activity.
(24) 
For any person ejected from a game, field or facility by the umpire, referee, or other game official, to fail to leave the game, field or facility, or to otherwise fail to comply with the ejection order.
(25) 
For a person 18 years of age or older to participate or to attempt to participate in any game, practice, or tournament of a youth sports association as a coach, assistant coach, trainer, manager, umpire, referee or in any other official capacity without first having on file with the recreation manager a current certificate of satisfactory compliance with the city policy for criminal background check from the sponsoring youth sports association.
(26) 
To enter onto a reserved facility or area, or a location where scheduled activities are occurring, during the period that the area or facility is reserved or during the scheduled activity and remain or return thereafter the person has been given notice to leave. Reserved facilities and areas, and scheduled activities, include but are not limited to: indoor and outdoor facilities, pavilions, meeting rooms, gathering areas, camps, and classes.
(27) 
To permit an animal owned or possessed by an individual to enter or remain on a league athletic playing field/facility during league operations, which includes practices and/or games.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 1, Article 1.1000, Section 1.1002; Ordinance 1379-00 adopted 9/19/00; Ordinance 1818-09 adopted 3/3/09; Ordinance 1859-10 adopted 8/17/10; Ordinance 2381-24 adopted 5/7/2024)
The recreation manager is authorized to close any section or part of a park at any time and for any period or interval of time due to weather, maintenance or other public health or safety reason. It shall be unlawful for any person to go upon any section or area of a park which has been closed by the recreation manager.
(Ordinance 1379-00 adopted 9/19/00)
(a) 
Officials.
The city manager or his designate, park attendants designated by the city manager or his designate, and police department, shall in connection with their duties imposed by law, diligently enforce the provisions of this article.
(b) 
Ejectment.
The city manager or his designate, park attendants designated by the city manager or his designate, shall have the authority to eject from the park any person acting in violation of this article.
(c) 
Seizure of Property.
The city manager or his designate, or any member of the police department shall have the authority to seize and confiscate any property, thing or device in the park, or used in violation of this article.
(1995 Code of Ordinances, Chapter 1, Article 1.1000, Section 1.1004)
(a) 
The recreation manager is authorized to designate fields as game fields by posting a sign thereon stating:
"Game Field-Restricted to League Play Only"
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to go upon a field which has been designated a game field except for the purpose of participating in approved league play.
(Ordinance 1681-06 adopted 8/15/06)
(a) 
The recreation manager is authorized to designate any field as a closed field for purposes of maintenance or to protect the surface of the field from damage by posting a sign thereon stating:
"Closed Field--Do Not Trespass"
(b) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to go upon a field which has been designated as a closed field except for the purpose of authorized maintenance or repairs.
(Ordinance 1681-06 adopted 8/15/06)
Except with prior approval of the recreation manager, no practice is allowed on any Game Field or areas where games and practices have been canceled due to weather conditions. Each sports organization shall require in its by-laws that any team guilty of violating this provision shall forfeit one league game.
(Ordinance 1681-06 adopted 8/15/06)
(a) 
Sports associations which desire to use any city park or athletic facility shall be required to execute a facility use agreement with the city which contains the duties and responsibilities of the parties. For purposes of this section, a resident is defined as an individual currently residing in the city, or currently attending public school in the DeSoto Independent School District.
(b) 
Youth sports associations who play or wish to use any city park or athletic facility in the city shall abide by the following policies:
(1) 
City residents shall always be allowed to participate.
(2) 
A participant fee shall be charged to nonresident players. The fee will be determined by the city and may vary from year to year.
(3) 
A number cap established by the city for teams shall be enforced.
(4) 
A number cap for organizations within a league shall be established by the city and enforced.
(5) 
The nonresident participant fee shall be used to assist in the maintenance and operation of the athletic fields and facilities.
(6) 
A team who has a majority of players who are nonresidents of the city will not be allowed to use the city practice facilities unless field rental fees are paid.
(7) 
No additional youth athletic facilities shall be funded by the city until the participation in that particular youth sport has achieved 100% participation from city residents.
(8) 
These policies shall apply for all youth sports associations in the city.
(Ordinance 1681-06 adopted 8/15/06)
The recreation manager shall control all concession rights for all parks and athletic facilities. No concession may be sold in any park or facility by any person except with the approval of the recreation manager.
(Ordinance 1379-00 adopted 9/19/00)
Organizations or associations conducting organized leagues must provide and keep in force for the duration of the season with an insurance company duly licensed in the State of Texas and rated A- or better by A.M. Best, general liability insurance in an amount specified by the city's risk manager. Insurance limits will be reviewed on an annual basis. In addition, the policy shall include the City of DeSoto as an additional named insured. No games may be played until an acceptable proof of insurance has been received by the recreation manager and reviewed for adequacy by the city's risk manager.
(Ordinance 1379-00 adopted 9/19/00)
All groups or organizations desirous of establishing leagues and utilizing recreational facilities owned, leased, or controlled by the city for competitive or recreational league play must comply with the following requirements:
(1) 
Be a nonprofit organization serving and operating exclusively for amateur sports competition.
(2) 
If requested, file a yearly financial report with the recreation manager.
(3) 
Have an active board of directors with a president or chairperson, vice-president or co-chairperson, secretary, and treasurer.
(4) 
Have on file with the recreation manager a current copy of the organization's articles of incorporation, constitution, bylaws (which must be in harmony with parks and recreation department policies), a certificate of liability insurance, and names of the organization's board of directors.
(5) 
Have a policy that permits individuals to file for exemption from registration fees.
(6) 
Have a non-discrimination policy in which programs operated by the organization are open to all residents of DeSoto regardless of race, age, socio-economic level, color, sex, national origin, religion, and handicap status.
(Ordinance 1379-00 adopted 9/19/00)
All youth sports associations which desire to use any city facilities shall comply with the city policy adopted by the city council by resolution from time to time for criminal background checks for youth sports association coaches, assistant coaches, managers, umpires, referees, or other volunteers.
(Ordinance 1379-00 adopted 9/19/00)