This article is enacted to foster a public park environment that is attractive, safe healthy and free of uses and activities incompatible with the normal and traditional uses of public park facilities, for the protection of the health and safety of the residents of the city.
(Ordinance 2023-007 adopted 8/14/2023)
It shall be unlawful for any person in a city park, greenbelt, or recreation area, to:
(1) 
Walk, bring or allow an unleashed or unsecured dog, except within a designated off-leash area.
(2) 
Fail to pick up and properly dispose of pet waste deposited by their pet.
(3) 
Mark deface disfigure injure tamper with or displace or remove any buildings; bridges; tables; benches; fireplaces; railings; paving or paving materials; waterlines or other public utilities or parts or appurtenances thereof; signs; notices or placards; temporary or permanent monuments, stakes, posts or other boundary markers; or other structures or equipment facilities; or park property or appurtenances whatsoever either real or personal.
(4) 
Damage, cut, carve, mark, transplant or remove any plant or injure the bark or flowers or seed of any tree or plant, dig in, or otherwise disturb, grass areas or in any way injure the natural beauty or usefulness of these areas.
(5) 
Light, build or maintain fires.
(6) 
Enter or remain in any area which is closed or posted "closed to the public."
(7) 
Loiter, camp or otherwise occupy a park, greenbelt or recreation area outside posted hours of operation.
(8) 
Park a vehicle or allow a parked vehicle to remain in any area which is closed or posted "closed to the public."
(9) 
Camp or stay overnight anywhere within any park, greenbelt or recreation area.
(10) 
Construct or erect any building or structure of whatever kind whether permanent or temporary, or run or string any public service utility into, upon or across such areas.
(11) 
Carry, possess, or discharge a gun, bow and arrow, air or gas weapon, paintball gun or marker, or any instrument with a propelling force, spring, air or gas that is capable of being used for the purpose of hunting.
(12) 
Possess and/or consume any alcoholic beverages including wine and beer.
(13) 
Enter any park or park facility in a vehicle except through open driveways designated for such use and as a pedestrian to trespass through private property or to climb fences or closed gates to enter any park or park facility.
(14) 
Do any of the following without first obtaining a special permit as set out under section 10.03.004:
(A) 
Sell, offer or solicit any goods or merchandise.
(B) 
Hold, conduct or address any public assemblage, meeting or gathering, or take part in public debate or discussion.
(C) 
Provide entertainment or exhibitions.
(D) 
Posses, discharge, or cause to be discharged any fireworks, torpedo, rocket, explosive or other substance capable of explosion.
(15) 
Distribute, post or affix any printed or written matter, sample or device.
(16) 
Dump or dispose of trash, garbage, unsightly matter, brush or waste except that which is generated by park visitors and disposed of properly in receptacles provided for park use purposes.
(Ordinance 2023-007 adopted 8/14/2023)
It shall be unlawful for any person in a park, greenbelt or recreation area to:
(1) 
Drive any motor vehicle on any area except on designated roads or parking areas, or other such areas as may be specifically designated as a temporary road or parking area.
(2) 
Operate or use any type of motorized vehicle, motor assisted scooter or motor assisted skateboard, including but not limited to, motorcycles, motorbikes and minibikes, golf carts on any trail, sidewalk, or park, greenbelt or recreation area not designated for such use. Vehicles providing maintenance, police, fire and life-safety services are allowed.
(3) 
Park a motor vehicle anywhere except in a designated parking area or park a motor vehicle that blocks access to the park facilities in any manner.
(4) 
Leave a vehicle standing or parked during hours when the park is closed.
(5) 
Ride a bicycle on or along a water embankment grassy area or trail if ridden in such a manner as to interfere with other allowed uses or without personal regard for the safety of others.
(Ordinance 2023-007 adopted 8/14/2023)
Special permits for activities not permitted in city parks or recreation areas under this article shall be obtained by making application to the village manager and approved by the city council, in accordance with the following procedures:
(1) 
Application.
A person seeking issuance of a permit shall file application through the city website.
(2) 
Standards for issuance.
A special permit shall ensure that the proposed activity or use:
(A) 
Will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the general public's enjoyment.
(B) 
Will not unreasonably interfere with or detract from the promotion of public health, welfare, safety and recreation.
(C) 
Is not anticipated to include violence, crime or disorderly conduct.
(D) 
Will not entail extraordinary or burdensome expense by the city.
(E) 
Is not in conflict with another scheduled activity.
(Ordinance 2023-007 adopted 8/14/2023)
(a) 
Hours of operation.
The dog park facility is open daily from dawn to dusk. The city reserves the right to close the dog park facility at any time and under any conditions deemed necessary by the city for public safety, to conduct scheduled maintenance, and/or for programmed events.
(b) 
Mandatory requirements for use.
This facility is for use by dogs, their owners/handlers, and their human guests only. No other animals or uses are permitted.
(1) 
Leashes may be removed inside the fenced off-leash areas of the facility only.
(2) 
All dogs must be under control and in view of the owner/handler at all times. Dogs must be supervised by persons sixteen (16) years of age or older.
(3) 
All children under sixteen (16) years of age must be accompanied by an adult responsible for the child's behavior and safety. Children are not allowed to chase dogs in the facility.
(4) 
Limit of two (2) dogs per person in the facility at any time.
(5) 
Dog owners/handlers are liable for any injuries or damage caused by their dogs.
(6) 
Dog owners/handlers are responsible for picking up and disposing of their dog's waste, repairing any damage done by their dogs and removing their dog's toys from the facility.
(7) 
All dogs must have current vaccinations and registration and must wear a collar with current rabies vaccination and registration tags. Dog owners/handlers must have a current rabies vaccination certificate available and comply with current city park animal control ordinances.
(8) 
Aggressive or dangerous dogs are prohibited in the facility. Dogs showing any aggressive behavior shall be leashed and removed from the facility immediately.
(9) 
Dogs under four (4) months of age are not allowed in the facility.
(10) 
Dogs using the facility must not be in heat and must be healthy and free of parasites.
(11) 
The small dog off-leash area is for dogs less than thirty (30) pounds only. The large dog off-leash area is for dogs weighing thirty (30) pounds or more. Small dogs are permitted in the large dog off-leash area but enter at your own risk. Large dogs are not permitted in the small dog off-leash area at any time.
(12) 
Dog owners/handlers must carry leashes (one per dog) while in the facility.
(13) 
No food (dog or human) or training treats allowed in the facility.
(14) 
Glass containers, alcohol and tobacco of any kind are prohibited in the facility.
(15) 
Bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades and motorized vehicles are prohibited in the facility.
(c) 
Offense and penalty.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any regulation posted by the city at the dog park facility or any provision of subsection (b) of this section. Each violation shall be punishable as a class C misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be subject to a fine in accordance with the general penalty provision set forth in section 1.01.009 of this code.
(d) 
Criminal trespass warning.
(1) 
In addition to a penalty provision of this section, and pursuant to section 30.05 of the Texas Penal Code, as amended, any peace officer, employee or duly authorized agent of the city aware of any person:
(A) 
Violating any provision of this section or any posted city regulation pertaining to the dog park facility; or
(B) 
Behaving in any manner reasonably determined by the peace officer or city employee to endanger the health and safety of dog park facility users;
(2) 
May issue an oral or written forty-eight (48) hour criminal trespass warning to the responsible individual.
(Ordinance 2023-007 adopted 8/14/2023)
It is unlawful for any person to violate the provisions of this article. Any person who violates, disobeys, omits, neglects or refuses to comply with or who resists the enforcement of any of the provisions of this article shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) for each offense. Each day that a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Such criminal charge shall not bar further civil proceedings by the city in applicable cases.
(Ordinance 2023-007 adopted 8/14/2023)